The pilot was assigned to a task for which he most likely lacked experience on both the helicopter type and the nature of the flying.
The ATSB is satisfied that reported application by the operator of the resource sector experiential standards to all tasking other than scenic flights, will, when formalised in the operator’s operations manual, adequately address this safety issue and therefore makes no recommendation.
In relation to pilot rostering and authorisation, the operator advised that the operations manual, Section 1.4 was specific in regard to the duties and responsibilities of the lead pilot. In addition, the operator indicated that, although operations into helicopter landing sites (HLS) within the Shoalwater Bay training area can carry a medium risk factor, it was satisfied that a full briefing mitigated that factor.
However, the safety manager reported later that the operator had subsequently applied its resource sector pilot minimum experience requirements to all tasking other than scenic flights. On 31 May 2013, the company changed ownership and this requirement, if not already incorporated into the operator’s operations manual, was superseded by the new operator’s procedures and documentation.
The ATSB is satisfied that reported application by the operator of the resource sector experiential standards to all tasking other than scenic flights, will, when formalised in the operator’s operations manual, adequately address this safety issue and therefore makes no recommendation.
