Flight Information Service in the Pilbara region - a review
Feedback updated 3 Mar 2026
We asked
CASA conducted a targeted review of the Flight Information Service (FIS) within the Pilbara region. The purpose of this review was to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of the existing FIS as a control measure for risks associated with safety of aircraft operating outside controlled airspace in the Pilbara region.
It focused on airspace around 6 aerodromes in the Pilbara region that were identified as airspace locations of concern by industry:
- Christmas Creek (YCHK)
- Fortescue Dave Forrest (YFDF)
- Gudai-Darri (YKDD)
- Barimunya (YBRY)
- Coondewanna (YCWA)
- West Angelas (YANG).
In preparing the draft review, CASA engaged with stakeholders and examined movement and incident data from Airservices Australia (Airservices), the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and airlines. We then sought industry feedback on the draft findings through public consultation.
The consultation has closed and a summary of the feedback is provided below.
You said
A total of 50 responses were received, which included submissions from pilots, operators and aviation group representatives.
Summary of feedback
Overall feedback confirmed the observations and data made in our draft review.
Respondents to the survey confirmed CASA’s draft findings that:
- the current FIS is inadequate and often falls below reasonable performance expectations
- deficiencies in VHF coverage, and reliance on HF as the primary fallback, affect pilots’ ability to obtain timely, accurate information
- these limitations increase pilot cognitive workload, particularly during departure, arrival, adverse weather, or periods of high traffic complexity
- communication constraints at lower altitudes reduce situational awareness and may lead to increased operational risk.
Multiple respondents provided comments that were outside of the direct scope of this review and consultation. These comments are consistent with feedback received from industry through previous consultations. The topics raised included:
- broader communication and surveillance limitations across the region
- operational challenges associated with multiple closely spaced aerodromes
- the mix of traffic types in environments which include multiple aerodromes in nearby locations
- the diversity of aircraft types operating in the environment
- broader human factors considerations, including workload saturation and normalisation of deviation.
These issues were previously considered as part of previous airspace reviews. Several actions to enhance operations addressing this feedback are already underway.
We did
We will now work to finalise our draft Review of Flight Information Services in the Pilbara Region. We will update and, where actionable, incorporate specific feedback into the airspace review. Where consent has been given to publish the response, these have been published below.
Published responses
View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.
Overview
We would like your feedback on our review of the adequacy and effectiveness of the existing Flight Information Service (FIS) in the Pilbara region.
Our review was conducted to assess the level of safety for aviation activity and the effectiveness of existing control measures. The review confirmed that despite a low number of reportable safety incidents and accidents, industry feedback highlighted cognitive workload as impacting the safety of their operations.
This review examined pilot cognitive workload, that is, the mental effort required to complete a task or tasks while being influenced by factors such as task complexity, task load and distractions.
Impacts of cognitive workload influence performance measurements which have significant effects on error rates to deliver a safe and efficient operation within aviation. The review focussed on the FIS as a control measure to reduce cognitive workload.
The review highlighted limitations with the provision of FIS to aircraft operating outside controlled airspace in the Pilbara region. These limitations impact pilot workload and distract pilots from critical operational functions.
Background
In response to continued industry feedback on issues experienced during operations in Pilbara airspace, we explored the appropriateness of the airspace architecture, classification, and services within the airspace.
In March 2025, we announced that no risks to aviation safety that required intervention from a regulatory perspective had been identified. Nor was there a need for airspace changes.
However, we concluded that there are challenges related to pilots maintaining situational awareness and a consequential high cockpit workload. As a result, we committed to assess flight information services and work with Airservices Australia on assessing the adequacy of surveillance and communication coverage in the Pilbara region.
This review is a targeted follow-on to our original airspace review and is focused solely on FIS adequacy and cognitive workload.
Documents for review
Please read the ‘2025 Pilbara Airspace Review Flight Information Service’ provided at the bottom of this page to help with your submission.
Why your views matter
We are seeking feedback on our review of the adequacy and effectiveness of the existing FIS in the Pilbara region.
This consultation provides a platform for airspace users to provide feedback on the draft review, to increase safety and efficiency.
Completing the survey
Please submit your comments using the survey link on this page.
If you would like to provide further feedback, please email OAR@casa.gov.au with the subject line: Pilbara FIS review. Feedback submitted by email will be considered but cannot be published publicly without consent.
Further information about airspace regulation and the airspace change process is available on the CASA website.
What happens next
Once the consultation has closed, we will:
- review all comments received
- make responses publicly available on the consultation hub (unless you request that your submission remain confidential)
- publish a summary of the feedback received and outline next steps.
Information about how we consult and how to make a confidential submission is available on the CASA website.
To be notified of any future consultations, you can subscribe to our consultation and rulemaking mailing list.
Audiences
- Aerial work operator (Part 138)
- Aerodrome owner/operators
- Air operators
- Air traffic controller(s)
- Air traffic service provider
- Air transport operations – rotorcraft (Part 133)
- Aircraft owner/operator
- CASA Staff
- Certified aerodrome owner/operator
- Flight instructors and flight examiners
- Flight training operators
- Flight training organisations
- Part 173 of CASR Certified/Authorised Instrument Flight Procedure Designer Aerodrome
- Pilots
- Sports aviation operator
Interests
- Airspace and infrastructure
- Hazards
- Human factors
- Operational standards
- Safety promotion
Share
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook