Sea World Helicopters' standard inbound call from Porpoise Point was not a reliable alert for a pilot on the ground while boarding and interacting with passengers. Where collision risk on departure existed, a pilot on the ground would highly likely be focused on cabin preparation at the time of that inbound call.
The safety issue is addressed through the new procedures for sterile cockpit operations which will support monitoring of radios, and supporting the inbound call with an additional call on early final approach further reduces the probability of a pilot missing a call due to customer interactions.
Sea World Helicopters amended operating procedures to mandate a second call on final approach abeam the Sea World theme park and ensure pilots are not distracted by passengers during the approach phase. Operating procedures now instruct pilots that:
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l) When returning from the flight make the CTAF call at Porpoise Point, track south down the Broadwater maintaining 500 feet.
m) Pilots must ensure they are not distracted by commentary or conversation with passengers during this phase of flight. Where necessary, pilots may mute the rear ICS momentarily to avoid missing traffic information. However, prolonged muting is not advised as the pilot may miss important information alerts from passengers.
n) A second inbound call MUST be made when on early final abeam the Sea World park advising position height and intended landing point ie Park Pad, or pad 1,2,3,or 4.
Note 1: It is paramount that these procedures are followed on each and every flight.
Note 2: It is paramount that you are never distracted by passengers or any other reason during the critical modes of flight being the landing and takeoff phase. Passenger should be advised of this before take off and before descent.
PILOTS MUST ENSURE A STERILE COCKPIT IS MAINTAINED WHEN BELOW 500 FEET
