Airprox – Stay Safe – Safety Promotion for General Aviation

Increase electronic visibility in the airspace: Make yourself visible.

Editorial team

28.05.2025

One of the main risks for general aviation (GA) is mid-air collisions. In EASA member states, there are an average of six fatal collisions every year, tragically claiming 13 lives annually.

Seeing and avoiding traffic is the first rule for preventing mid-air collisions. Traffic information and collision warning systems based on electronic visibility are an important addition to the application of this principle. It doesn’t matter whether you fly a fixed-wing aircraft, a glider, a balloon, a paraglider, or any other type of aircraft. It is important that you are also electronically visible to others.

To this end, the FOCA is increasing the electronic visibility (e-conspicuity) of aircraft in Swiss airspace through technological harmonization. This is intended to reduce the risk of dangerous approaches (airprox). The recently published technology recommendation for owners and pilots is an important guide for equipping aircraft with the appropriate devices that are compatible with each other and ensure electronic visibility. Financial support for equipping aircraft can be applied for via special financing for air transport (BV87). This provides for measures to increase flight safety. Important links: Information on the FASST-CH project FASST-CH technology recommendation.

Important links:

Information about the FASST-CH project

FASST-CH technology recommendation

Safety campaign Airspace Echo (E): online survey for IFR and VFR-pilots until March 16, 2025

Editorial team

14.02.2025

Airspace Echo is controlled airspace and is used for both VFR and IFR flights. In the past, there have been repeated instances of airproxes, particularly between IFR and VFR traffic, which can be attributed to various factors. Various safety recommendations have also addressed the factors to be improved, which affect pilots of gliders and motorized aircraft, as well as the cockpit crews of business jets.

We are therefore launching the awareness campaign “Airspace Echo (E)” to address the issues described above. It has the following objectives:

VFR and IFR pilots should be made aware of the risks in airspace Echo.
VFR and IFR pilots must know the rules as well as the methods and technical aids for avoiding collisions in airspace Echo.
The number of encounters between IFR and VFR traffic in Echo airspace should be reduced.

Online survey for VFR and IFR pilots until March 16, 2025

We now need your input. In the first phase of the campaign, we would like to use an online survey to gain important insights into pilots’ (situational) awareness. What do they know about airspace E and how do they prepare for flights in this airspace? The survey comprises around 20 questions and takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. It will be available until March 16, 2025 and can be accessed by clicking on the image below.

Help us improve safety in airspace Echo. Thank you for taking part in the survey! (Click on image)