Air Ops Media

29/08/2026

10/08/2026

Attention all pilots flying around the Brisbane area tomorrow!

Temporary restricted airspace will be in place within 5NM of the Ekka for an RAAF Roulettes aerial display.

The restrictions will be in place on Wednesday 12 August, approximately between 12:15-12:40pm (AEST).

All pilots operating in the area should monitor NOTAMs for the latest updates and operational information.

If you fly a drone, the Ekka is not the place to use it. Drones should not be flown over crowds or large public gatherings, so leave them at home. Always check a CASA verified drone safety app to know where it’s safe to fly: https://bit.ly/Drone-Safety-apps

Airspace restrictions can change at any time. It is your responsibility to make sure that you do not fly in areas where restrictions are in place.

Stay safe and stay informed!

30/07/2026

This weekend, the will deploy its CH-47D Chinook helicopter and a Bell 412 support aircraft to fight fires in France. This will mark the Service’s first-ever European deployment.

The aircraft will be accompanied by 24 highly skilled aerial and ground crew, and transported to France in partnership with the Australian Defence Force.

The Chinook, equipped with an 11,300-litre belly tank, has the largest payload of any firefighting helicopter in Australia. Working with the Bell 412, it is also capable of conducting waterbombing missions at night. Should it be tasked to do so in France, it will be the first time night-time waterbombing has been undertaken in the country.

Commissioner Trent Curtin says the deployment is a testament to the expertise of our aviation crews.

“We're proud to share that expertise with our international partners while strengthening the relationships that are so important when disasters occur around the world."

29/07/2026

Standard operating procedures for national air tanker firefighting ...

20/07/2026

14/07/2026

The ATSB has released its final report from its investigation into two separate suspected rotor drive belt failures involving Robinson R22s in northern Australia last November. Both incidents, involving helicopters with different operators and maintainers, resulted in hard landings, but no significant injuries.

https://www.atsb.gov.au/news/2026/r22-drive-belt-failure-accidents

29/06/2026

23/06/2026

The ATSB’s ongoing investigation into the loss of control accident involving a Diamond DA42 aircraft at Adelaide’s Parafield Airport on 29 April has identified that a component in the nose landing gear had failed due to fatigue and that the nose landing gear remained extended during the flight.

https://www.atsb.gov.au/news/2026/da42-nose-landing-gear-actuator-fracture