CHIRP Aviation

07/10/2026

"Almost every significant improvement in aviation safety has started with somebody noticing something wasn’t quite right and deciding that it was worth telling someone else about it."

Mike O'Donoghue, CHIRP's new General Aviation Programme Manager and former Chief Executive of the General Aviation Safety Council (GASCo), discusses why every report matters in General Aviation FEEDBACK 109, Learning Through Experience.

https://chirp.co.uk/newsletter/learning-through-experience/

Welcome Mike!

General Aviation FEEDBACK GAFB 109 September 2026 Learning Through Experience Every Report Matters It is a privilege to be writing my first editorial as General Aviation Programme Manager for CHIRP. My aviation journey began in General Aviation before progressing through military and civil aviation....

30/09/2026

Reporting can help turn an individual concern into information that can support change ...

... as evidenced by this report where a flight crew member reported that repeated trips with limited time off were becoming unsustainable. Following the fatigue reports, the airline increased days off at base on certain routes.

Read Air Transport FEEDBACK: https://chirp.co.uk/newsletter/chirps-history-of-confidential-safety-reporting/

23/09/2026

A checkout flight in an unfamiliar aircraft nearly ended in a collision with raised runway lights. The instructor intervened as the aircraft drifted during take-off.

CHIRP’s report shows how changes in control feel, workload and the airfield environment can narrow the margin for error. It also shows the value of speaking openly about a close call.

Read the report: https://chirp.co.uk/report/ga1421-2/

16/09/2026

Following CHIRP report DUAS0049 (see below), we thought it might be helpful to provide some resources. Drones are becoming ever more popular but those buying a drone off the shelf may be unaware of how to fly their new drone safely and responsibly.

In the report, a new drone operator realises that they had been straying into the edge of an airport no-fly zone. To avoid this kind of risk, the links below can be used to find helpful guidance and flight planning information.

If you are a new drone operator remember that you must follow the Civil Aviation Authority's guidance.

https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/drones-are-you-flying-yours-safely-and-legally
https://thedronemap.com/
https://dronecloud.io/
https://www.nats.aero/
https://nats-uk.ead-it.com/cms-nats/opencms/en/Publications/AIP/
https://www.skydemon.aero/
https://chirp.co.uk/report/duas-0049/

A map of airspace hazards for drone users to fly safely.

10/09/2026

The calculations had been checked. The take-off looked possible.

A newly qualified pilot taking her family flying found herself running out of runway, with too little speed to take off safely.

Expecting slower acceleration, she initially accepted what she was feeling. By the time the danger became clear, her options were severely limited.

This first-hand account explores how a small administrative error can have serious consequences and why questioning expectations, speaking up and sharing experience matter for safety.

Read “Inside the Envelope – Or So I Thought” https://chirp.co.uk/ilahfft/inside-the-envelope-or-so-i-thought/

08/09/2026

What happens when pressure to meet turnaround and service targets affects cabin crew’s ability to prioritise safety?

In this CHIRP report, a flight crew member raises concerns about mounting pressure on cabin crew colleagues and its impact on wellbeing and safety. Pressure remains among the top five issues reported to CHIRP’s cabin crew programme.

Cabin crew need time, support and confidence to carry out their safety responsibilities. A just culture will mean they feel able to raise concerns about fatigue or workload. Open communication between flight crew and cabin crew is essential.



https://chirp.co.uk/report/fc5494-c/

02/09/2026

Not long to go until the Light Aircraft Association Rally at Leicester Airport (4-6 September). Come and meet Mike O'Donoghue, our new GA Programme Manager. You should be able to find him in the 'safety corner' and he will be delighted to say hello.

https://www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk/rally2026

01/09/2026

We'll be at the LAA Rally 4-6 September at Leicestershire Aero Club at Leicester Airfield. Do come and say hi!

27/08/2026

Removing a hazard is stronger than reminding someone not to miss it.

Leaving a towbar attached may be operationally convenient, but it creates a hazard the control of which eventually depends on someone remembering that it is there; despite interruptions, changes to routine or time pressure. A checklist helps, but it does not make memory infallible.

The human-factors question is not only: “Why didn’t the pilot notice?”

It is also: “Why was the system designed so that one missed cue could be highly consequential?"

Removing unnecessary equipment, making it conspicuous or assigning positive ownership reduces reliance on perfect recall.

Which hazards in your operation are controlled mainly by “remember to…”?

https://chirp.co.uk/report/ga1419/

19/08/2026

Is your turnaround data measuring the operation, or changing it?

A CHIRP Aviation report raises an interesting human-factors question about on-time performance, safety duties and delay coding.

Metrics do not simply describe work. When a metric carries consequences for individuals or teams, it can influence how people prioritise tasks. And how they record what happened.

If staff feel that delay data allocates blame, the organisation may receive a tidier account of the turnaround, but a less accurate picture of work as done.

Good operational data depends on people being able to explain delay without becoming the delay.

Does your delay-coding process identify causes or assign ownership?

https://chirp.co.uk/report/cc8189/