Flight plans cost at least $100 - use a flight note where possible

At a recent CASA organised Flight Safety Forum in Sydney a small number of people in the industry were incredulous when a CASA expert advised all VFR aircraft to put in a flight plan. Of course, when a CASA person puts in a flight plan the cost is covered by CASA, including all enroute charges and all flying costs.

Of course, strictly speaking CASA does not pay this cost. The cost is paid by general taxpayers and by the fuel tax on aviation businesses.

A number of years ago the old CAA found that each VFR flight plan cost about $100 to the industry. No, it is not charged separately, it is hidden in fuel taxes and other charges.

The advice is if you want to save waste in the industry and also want maximum safety, never fly without some form of flight notification. The best method is to leave a flight note with your family, a friend, or your business. Of course there are times when the only flight plan feasible is one with Airservices. By all means then use it but remember the cost to the industry is many, many dollars.