There were no requirements in Aeropower procedures to provide any post-training supervision for powerline operations. What supervision was provided was ineffective in identifying that a modified stringing method was being used by the pilot.
The actions taken by the operator address the key concern of the safety issue, that being the supervision of pilots recently trained/authorised in a new specialist task. The mandated extension of command under supervision time, the introduction of periodic consolidation flight checks and the mandated extension of mentoring time are all expected help better prepare newly trained pilots for solo operations and provide them with additional defences to the hazards associated with specialist flight tasks
On 4 November 2020, the ATSB were advised that Aeropower had taken the following proactive safety actions:
Specifically relating to the supervision and review of newly authorised pilots in specialist tasks, Aeropower has made the following amendments to our procedures:
For cable stringing, the new requirements include 2,500 hours minimum as pilot in command, 100 hours on type, 200 hours low level flying, 200 hours on other powerline operations. Additional supervision requirements include;
