Carbon monoxide safety awareness survey - March 2025

Results updated 20 May 2025

We received 401 responses to the survey.

Here’s a breakdown of the responses received.

Demographics

We asked about respondent’s background and role: are they a pilot, operator/owner, or maintenance engineer?

*Respondents were able to select multiple options

Demographic breakdown*

Licence-holder breakdown*

Organisational breakdown*

 

Participation in last year’s carbon monoxide survey

We asked whether respondents had completed our first carbon monoxide survey, in February 2024.

• 22% of respondents participated in our last carbon monoxide survey conducted in February 2024
• 28% of respondents were unsure if they had taken the previous survey
• 50% of respondents stated they did not take part in the previous survey.

 

About your carbon monoxide detector use

We asked about respondent’s current use of carbon monoxide detectors.

• 85% of pilots use a carbon monoxide detector on most or every one of their flights
• 4% of pilots use a carbon monoxide detector only on some of their flights
• 11% of pilots rarely or never use a carbon monoxide detector when they fly

*These figures encompass the usage of both types of carbon monoxide detector, active and passive.

 

Reasons for carrying a carbon monoxide detector

We asked respondents who carry a carbon monoxide detector the reasons for carrying one.

Among the 85% of respondents who reported using a carbon monoxide detector, common reasons for using one included:

• ‘Enforced by company SOPs.’
• ‘Recommended by colleagues’ and ‘recommended by CASA.’
• ‘Have experienced dizziness when flying and put it down to carbon monoxide.’
• ‘Common sense.’
• ‘As a maintainer, it’s my job to see pilots and operators fit serviceable detectors in their aircraft for the safety of themselves and their passengers. I use electronic units rather than the card version – these should be phased out’.
• ‘Owner/operator has fitted them to the aircraft.’
• ‘57 years operating and maintaining aircraft has taught me the importance of safeguarding against the dangers of carbon monoxide. Several personal experiences of the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning have made me very aware.’
• ‘I like living.’

We asked respondents who don’t carry a carbon monoxide detector the reasons for not carrying one.

Among the 11% of respondents who reported not using a carbon monoxide detector, common reasons included:

• ‘I haven’t found a reason to use one in normal flying.’
• ‘Haven’t researched it.’
• ‘I haven’t found a suitable one.’
• ‘I fly vintage aircraft in which CO detectors are impractical.’

 

Breakdown of the types of carbon monoxide detectors being used

We asked respondents what type of carbon monoxide detector they currently use when flying.

• 178 respondents fly with an active (electronic) detector only
• 131 respondents fly with a passive (non-electronic) detector only
• 68 respondents fly with both (active and passive) detectors
• 24 respondents do not fly with a detector at all.

 

Benchmarking

The results of this survey provided an opportunity to benchmark this year’s findings against those from last year’s survey.

Type of carbon monoxide detector carried

• In 2024, 38% of respondents reported they carried an active CO detector when flying.
• In 2025, this increased to 43%.

Frequency of use

• In 2024, 81% of respondents reported that they used a CO detector most or all the time when flying.
• In 2025, this increased to 85%.

Awareness of the benefits

• In 2024, 22% of respondents didn’t know whether it was important to carry a CO detector when they flew.
• In 2025, 83% reported their understanding of CO had increased after viewing our campaign materials.

Motivation to purchase

• The primary motivator to purchase a detector were the safety benefits, followed by recommendations from colleagues and friends, and advice issued by CASA.

 

What’s next?

We’ll use the results of this survey to diversify our campaign materials to continually deliver up to date and relevant safety promotion and education material designed to keep you safe when flying.

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