SARTIME is an abbreviation for ‘time search action required’. A SARTIME is the time nominated by a pilot for the initiation of Search and Rescue (SAR) action.

A SARTIME Flight Notification can be lodged through the National Aeronautical Information Processing System (NAIPS) and requires only basic flight information and a SARTIME to be entered. This notification may only be used for operations wholly outside controlled airspace (OCTA).

A flight note is ‘details of the route and timing of a proposed flight provided by the pilot in command of an aircraft, other than notification submitted to Airservices Australia, and which is required to be left with a person who could be expected to notify appropriate authorities in the event that the flight becomes overdue’.

Pilots of Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flights intending to operate in controlled airspace (except for VFR flights in Class E airspace) must submit flight details to ATS. An ICAO Flight Notification can be lodged through the NAIPS Internet Service, where you have the option to nominate a SARTIME on the ICAO Flight Notification. However, a responsible person can hold watch as an alternative to nominating a SARTIME.

AIP states that VFR flights in the following categories are required to submit a SARTIME Flight Notification to ATS, or, as an alternative, to leave a Flight Note with a responsible person:

1. Regular Public Transport (RPT) and Charter (CHTR) flights
2. over-water flights
3. flights in Designated Remote Areas
4. flights at night proceeding beyond 120NM from the aerodrome of departure (AIP ENR 1.10-5, 2.12).

Air Work (AWK) and Private (PVT) VFR operations are neither formally required to submit a SARTIME nor a Flight Note. However, for search and rescue purposes, it is highly recommended that at the very minimum you lodge a Flight Note (ENR 1.10-7 2.21 and ENR 1.10-8 2.22).

For VFR flights, this means that, if you leave a Flight Note with a responsible person there is no requirement to formally lodge a SARTIME with Airservices.

For search and rescue purposes, it is highly recommended that at the very minimum you lodge a flight note, even if you are not required to (ENR 1.10 -7 2.21 and ENR 1.10-8 2.22).

As an alternative to a SARTIME, it is good practice to use an ICAO Flight Notification whenever possible and ensure a responsible person nominated by you e.g., friend, relative, flying school or company, can hold watch on your safe arrival.