There were no specific training requirements for Robinson helicopters in Australia, such as those in Federal Aviation Administration Special Federal Aviation Regulation 73-2.
CASA is taking action to address the safety issue.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has advised that it will review the requirements for initial pilot training and endorsement and recurrent training on Robinson R22 helicopters. Included will be a review of the Helicopter Flight Instructor’s Manual to ensure that the required competencies are being covered by flight instructors and trained to students.
The ATSB is satisfied that the action taken by CASA adequately addresses the safety issue.
CASA advised that they have commenced scoping work for the review of the helicopter instructors manual. This is being done as a joint publication with the New Zealand CAA. It is anticipated that the development of the CAAP for helicopter flight instructors will encompass the amendments to the helicopter instructor manual.
Publication of the CAAP is anticipated within the first quarter of 2011.
CASA advised that they are intending to produce an instructor pack for awareness training (AT) on the key hazards as specified in FAA SFAR 73. This AT would be generic in nature, but would address specific discussion points on matters relevant to specific types, including but not limited to R22/R44.
CASA further advised:
There is nothing inherently unsafe or unusual about an R22 or R44 that would justify implementation of a regulatory response similar to the FAA SFAR 73 . CASA will initiate projects to make other documentary and regulatory changes as detailed below.
CASA does not believe there is any merit in requiring additional minimum experience requirements for students, pilots or instructors and nor is there any requirement for additional currency measures.The initiatives above provide opportunity to address the R22/R44 specifically but to also recognise that the causal factors in recent accidents are not solely related to these types but are relevant in all helicopters.These measures will further strengthen our current rigorous training and checking regime.
The Safety Promotions material and the helicopter instructor and safety pack will be part of the 2011-12 work program.
On 24 September 2014, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority advised:
CASA had originally decided to amend Civil Aviation Order (GAO) 40.3.0 to include Helicopter Awareness Training (AT). The proposed amendments to GAO 40.3.0 have· been overtaken by the making of the Manual of Standards for Part 61 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (the MOS) Part 61.
The requirement for AT to be conducted as part of the endorsement has been incorporated into the MOS which includes competency standards for operating small and large helicopters. Awareness Training is included in several units of competency which are required for helicopter class and type ratings.
The following references in Schedule 2 of the MOS are associated with AT:
a. H1 to H6, underpinning knowledge;
b. H7 - Manage abnormal situations and emergencies- helicopters; practical skills and underpinning knowledge.
Reference is also made to AT in helicopter flight reviews in Schedule 7 of the MOS:
a. TR-SEH - Type rating single-engine helicopter
b. FR-S HE - Single-engine helicopter fight review
