Working together to reduce risk.

Airspace Infringements
Airspace infringement remains one of the primary
airspace safety concerns in Australia and internationally.

An airspace
infringement (AI) is
the unauthorised
entry of an aircraft
into airspace where
a clearance is
required or to which
entry is prohibited.

AIs contribute to
reductions in safety
margins and separation
between aircraft, which
ultimately increases the
risk of a conflict between
aircraft.

Over 2021-2022, on
average, approximately
50 AIs occurred each
month in Australia.

Numbers do not reflect AIs by RPAS, such as commercial

or recreational drones. Data collected by Airservices
Australia between January 2021 and April 2022.

Airspace infringement areas are spread across areas

bordering controlled airspace throughout Australia.

Hot spot areas exist near Class C and D airspaces and PRD areas.

Airspace
Infringements
January 2021 - April 2022

Visit bit.ly/allaisaus
to view the interactive map.

Numbers do not reflect AIs by RPAS, such as commercial or recreational drones. Data collected
by Airservices Australia between January 2021 and April 2022.

There are a number of Airspace and

Pilot skills
factors that can navigation
contribute to airspace
infringements.

By understanding what
factors you have control of,
you can mitigate the risk of
causing an AI initially, as
Environment Human
well as in response to or in
factors
conjunction with other
causal factors.

Air traffic
control
Eurocontrol (2007). Airspace
Infringement Risk Analysis

Eurocontrol (2022). European

Action Plan for Airspace
Infringement Risk Reduction

Airspace and navigation

Movement from Class G (non-controlled) airspace to

controlled airspaces currently accounts for the highest number
of airspace infringements.

Class E Class C Class E

Class G Class G PRD

Class D

By understanding where AIs are more likely to occur, you can prepare yourself
for potential unplanned situations that may put you at risk of infringing airspace.

Airspace factors that contribute to the high percentage

of airspace infringements in these zones.

Includes a
Used by GA VFR broad range
pilots with less of airspace
experience flying activity
through including
controlled Class E heavy IFR
airspace Class C traffic
Complex
airspace
Class G
procedures
Proximity of and designs
some VFR routes that can be
to complex overwhelming
airspace for pilots
Class D
No clearance
Higher rate of
required from
communication
ATC within class G
with ATC
compared to Clearance required
controlled tracking into controlled
airspace airspace, which GA pilots
are less used to

Human factors
Human factors are currently considered a
major cause of airspace infringements.
Some of the most common factors include:

familiarity with airspace design

and protocol OnOff

situation awareness OnOff

Off

human error On

awareness of PRD area status OnOff

high workload or overload On

routine - expectancy that

airspace on a familiar route will On
not change

communication between pilots

and ATC OnOff

over-reliance on GPS equipment

On
or failure to use it effectively

Eurocontrol (2007). Airspace Infringement Risk Analysis

Eurocontrol (2022). European Action Plan for Airspace Infringement Risk Reduction

Solve potential
problems before
you start your flight.

Familiarise yourself with the design

of the airspace you are flying
through and near, including CTA
steps along your route.

Check NOTAMS for recent updates

about all surrounding airspace status.

Check your radio volume is up

and set to ON/ALT with code
1200 if operating VFR in Class G.

Ensure your transponder

is working before you fly.

Check current charts for the correct

frequencies for the airspaces you will
be flying through.

If you are unsure about information

on charts or with ATC procedures,
you can contact ATC during preflight
for advice.

Resources to support your preparation

AIP airservicesaustralia.com/aip
Visual Terminal Charts (VTC)

En Route Supplement Australia (ERSA)

Departure and Approach Procedures (DAP)

NAIPS airservicesaustralia.com/naips
NAIPS (NOTAM, weather, restricted areas status)

Airservices airservicesaustralia.com/
pilot and industry-info/pilot-tools/
airside pilot-and-airside-safety
safety
pages or

bit.ly/pilotsafety for short.

casa.gov.au/resources-and- CASA's pilot

education/pilot-safety-hub. safety hub

If you have any questions about this publication, please email us at

safetypromotions@airservicesaustralia.com.

Data collected by Airservices Australia during 2021 and 2022.

Airservices Australia 2023