A serious incident which saw a glider and a helicopter come too close to each other shows the dangers and responsibilities that exist at Australia’s non-towered aerodromes.
On 29 June 2013, a Janus glider departed from the Bacchus Marsh aeroplane landing area to conduct a local flight with the pilot and one passenger. At the same time, the pilot of a McDonnell Douglas 500N helicopter was conducting circuits.
The Bacchus Marsh aeroplane landing area is located in uncontrolled airspace and does not have an air traffic control presence. Instead, pilots are responsible for making themselves aware of nearby aircraft and maintaining separation. Key strategies for doing so include making sufficient radio broadcasts so that other pilots know your intention, and maintaining a lookout for other aircraft all times.
As the pilot of the helicopter flew towards the end of the runway from the east, the glider was flying to the same point from the south.
As the pilot of the helicopter flew towards the end of the runway from the east, the glider was flying to the same point from the south. Both pilots had broadcast calls announcing their intentions on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF)
As the glider drew near to the end of the runway, the glider-pilot observed the helicopter ahead and below him, approaching the runway. The glider-pilot estimated that the helicopter passed only about 100 ft below the glider.
Both pilots reported that they had not heard the other’s broadcasts, and the ATSB investigation could not determine why this might have been the case. The Gliding Federation of Australia found that the limited forward and downward view from the rear seat due to the glider’s natural blind spots and the large frame of the front seat occupant may have affected the pilot’s ability to see the helicopter until it was in close proximity.
The issue of safety at non-towered aerodromes is one of the ATSB’s targeted concerns, and forms part of its SafetyWatch warning initiative. A booklet, A pilot’s guide to staying safe in the vicinity of non-towered aerodromes outlines many of the common problems that occur at non-towered aerodromes, and offers useful strategies for pilots to keep themselves and others safe.
Read the report: Aircraft proximity event between Janus, VH-IZI and MD500N, VH-KXS, Bacchus Marsh (ALA), Victoria, on 29 June 2013