Weather and forecasting

Explaining the rules – Understanding thunderstorms

Watch this animation to understand how thunderstorms develop, the hazards they pose to aircraft, and how to plan and fly safely around them.

Explaining the rules – Fit to fly

Watch our animation to learn how using the IMSAFE checklist helps you assess your physical and mental fitness before every flight.

Explaining the rules – Understanding icing conditions

Planning a flight at 10,000 feet or below? Don’t overlook the year-round risk of icing.

2025 Wet season operations seminar

Learn how to plan and prepare for fast-changing weather during the wet season to make timely, informed decisions.

A pilot sitting in the cockpit of an aircraft on the ground, planning a flight on their electronic flight bag

Destination and alternate airfield planning

Watch a recording of our webinar to see how planning helps you stay safe when weather or other factors change your flight path.

Aviation decision-making

Watch a recording of an AvSafety webinar on aviation decision-making for insights from an ATSB investigator.

Explaining the rules – Windsock interpretation

Watch our animated explainer for practical guidance on windsock interpretation, drawn from CASA's VFRG.

A plane sitting on a runway with the sun coming out from behind some clouds

Mastering aviation weather forecasts

Watch our AvSafety webinar on interpreting weather forecasts with expert meteorologists from the Bureau.

Flight planning - Flight Safety Australia

Talking to the tower

Get expert flight planning advice straight from an air traffic controller in this Flight Safety Australia video.

Crash comic – Desert storm

A storm, low fuel and a flooded airstrip led to this pilot’s unexpected landing. Find out how they handled it.

Explaining the rules – VMC criteria for helicopters

Refresh your understanding of VMC criteria for helicopters based on the VFRG.

Video Rotary

A group of aviation experts sitting around a table

AvSafety investigation – Deteriorating weather

Our expert panel analyses a collision caused by improper fuel management near Dairy Creek, WA.

Explaining the rules – Weather forecasts

Stay updated on the rules for flying without a weather forecast before take-off, based on the VFRG.

A view of an airstrip over the edge of an airplane's wing, surrounded by green bushland and with the ocean in the distance behind it

Wet season tips

Get top tips on flying in the wet season for VFR pilots. Know what to do if the weather deteriorates.

Explaining the rules – VMC criteria

Refresh your knowledge of VMC criteria by watching our new animated explainer video.

Video Fixed-wing

Show more Show more Show less

Audio

A plane hanging on marionette strings tied around the fingers of two hands above it

Blundering through the authority gap

Almost too late, a young pilot learns the importance of assertiveness as part of flight control.

A plane flying over water with clouds in the distance

Earth, wind and water

Heavy showers, low ceilings, and reduced visibility lead this new CPL to expect the unexpected.

A beach with an image of frost overlaying the sky

Tropical chill

Carburettor icing conditions don’t always align with cold weather on the ground, as one pilot learnt in this close call.

A blurry plane landing with a reflection on the water underneath it

Bogged down in assumptions

Complacency, assumptions, and waterlogged soil brought this pilot down in this close call.

Clouded thinking

'…cloud was fast approaching. 'What are you doing?' I asked. He replied, 'I don’t know.' Two low hour pilots drift into danger.

Audio Fixed-wing Rotary

Small plane flying with a lightning strike in the background

They say it never strikes twice

A new instructor is jolted out of complacency by an unexpected thunderstorm in this close call.

An airplane flying through a foggy blue background, with snowflake images around it

The ice bucket challenge

One pilot’s tale of surviving a severe icing incident gives him a newfound appreciation for the power of nature and new respect for the weather.

Podcast Fixed-wing Rotary

What did I think I was doing?

A pilot boldly sets off in marginal weather…now he’s the first to admit he shouldn’t have been out there.

Audio Fixed-wing Rotary

A female pilot setting the radio of a small airplane

AvSafety Podcast – Weather in a changing environment

Learn to interpret weather forecasts and be prepared when conditions change.

Show more Show more Show less

bg-casa-grey-light-5

Events and resources

Webinar Fixed-wing Rotary

A small plane flying with clouds gathered behind it

Environmental factors affecting aircraft performance

Join our November AvSafety webinar to learn about performance charts and how they help manage risks and plan safer routes.

Light aircraft with headlights on sits on a wet runway at night in rain.

Phone a friend: understanding local weather

When local weather looks uncertain, pilots can speak directly with a forecaster for extra insight before they fly.

Man wearing headset flying a small aircraft over dry outback terrain.

Flying safely in summer

Hot weather affects aircraft performance and pilot wellbeing. Get practical tips to manage density altitude, fatigue, and keep your cockpit cool.

Cold fronts: preparation and awareness

Cold fronts present unique challenges. An experienced pilot shares tips for navigating them safely.

A graphic of firefighting aircraft flying around a bushfire

Smoke is no joke

The atmospheric effects of bushfires are a distinct aviation hazard. Learn from pilots who have experienced smoke haze.

Gone with the wind

Learn how seasoned pilots recognise, avoid and manage the effects of wind shear.

Publication Fixed-wing Rotary

A woman wearing a high visibility vest looks out across an airport with an aeroplane parked behind her

Bureau of Meteorology knowledge centre

Understanding the weather forecast is key to safe flying. Learn about GAFs, TAFs, wind charts, and more.

Caught in the clouds

Learn how thorough flight planning can help pilots avoid the trap of VFR into IMC.

Seminar Fixed-wing Rotary

An aviation safety advisor presenting an AvSafety Seminar

AvSafety seminars

Join our Aviation Safety Advisors for an in-person pilot seminar near you. Refresh your knowledge, ask questions, and stay up to date.

Show more Show more Show less

Quizzes

Fixed-wing pilot quiz 2025

Check your understanding of weather topics such as TAFs, VMC in controlled airspace, icing conditions and alternate minima with our pilot quiz.

Quiz Fixed-wing

Helicopter pilot quiz 2025

Check your understanding of forecast requirements, wind behaviour, power management and fog formation with our pilot quiz.

Quiz Rotary

Fixed-wing pilot quiz 2024

Confident reading weather forecasts? Know when to expect rime ice? Test your skills and aim for a perfect score.

Quiz Fixed-wing

Helicopter pilot quiz 2024

How well do you understand VMC criteria and fog risks? Build your weather knowledge with this pilot quiz.

Quiz Rotary

Pilot quiz 2023

Know how to read a GAF? What do TEMPO, SIGMET and GPWT mean? Test your forecast knowledge and sharpen your skills.

Quiz Fixed-wing Rotary

Show more Show more Show less

bg-casa-grey-light-5

International resources

SKYbrary: Volcanic ash

Flight into a volcanic ash cloud is considered unsafe and should be avoided. Find out more.

A graphic of aeroplane flying towards a runway to land, with a downburst between them

Wind shear: an invisible enemy to pilots?

Wind shear can be serious. Learn about detection, avoidance, and recovery in this Airbus article.

A helicopter flying through a cloudy sky

56 Seconds to Live

Experience VFR into IMC from the perspective of a helicopter pilot in this video produced by the US Helicopter Safety Team.

Video Rotary

A graphic showing the area of wake turbulence behind one aeroplane hitting another aeroplane behind it

SKYclip: En-route Wake Turbulence

Wake turbulence is a concern not just during climb and approach but also en-route.

Accident case study: Hazardous Attitudes

Hazardous attitudes case study

In this video from the AOPA Air Safety Institute, we learn how hazardous attitudes can betray pilots.

An aeroplane on the ground spinning up its propeller even though the sky is covered in clouds

VFR into IMC research lessons

VFR-IMC is a leading cause of aviation accidents. Read the latest research on pilot decision-making.

A plane flying over mist-shrouded mountain peaks

Inexplicable

Weather was a major factor but why 2 experienced pilots died on the New Zealand appears to be a classic 'Swiss cheese model' tragedy.

Publication Fixed-wing Rotary

Show more Show more Show less

Resources from our store

Safety resources for purchase or free download.

Visual Flight Rules Guide

The VFRG explains visual flight rules in plain English and uses practical examples to help pilots prepare, plan, and fly safely.

Part 61 guide for helicopter category flight crew licensing plain English guide

Part 61 guide for helicopter pilots

A new Plain English guide for helicopter pilots, trainers, aerial work, and air transport operators.

Publication Rotary

Part 91 Plain English Guide

Our plain English guide makes it easy to understand the new general operating and flight regulations for all pilots.

Publication Fixed-wing Rotary

The cover of an AvSafety card about flying into bad weather

AvSafety card – Flying into bad weather

An educational card with information on identifying and avoiding the red flags of poor weather.

AvSafety cards

Enhance your knowledge of crucial safety topics with our popular A5 AvSafety cards – now available for free download.

Carburettor icing probability chart

Essential for every pilot’s flight bag. Keep track of your risk of carby icing using this probability and fact chart.

Store Fixed-wing

A graphic image of clouds full of gears, aeroplanes, and electronics

Human factors for pilots

A kit with workbooks, case studies, and videos covering all aspects of human factors for pilots.

A picture of a cloud beneath steadily-less-transparent strips of blue color

Weather booklet

A handy booklet with aviation reference material from the Bureau on GAF, TAF, METAR, SPECI, AIRMET, and SIGMET.