Withholding of risk controls
Date issue released
Issue number
Issue Status
Closed – Adequately addressed
Transport Function
Aviation: General aviation
Issue Owner
Sea World Helicopters Pty Ltd
Mode of Transport
Aviation
Safety Issue Description

Following the change in ownership of Sea World Helicopters, changes to the operation gradually degraded existing controls of enhanced communication and in-cockpit traffic display that informed team situation awareness, and the controls were eventually withheld without formal analysis of the change. This reduced opportunity for company pilots to form and maintain awareness of each other's position and intentions.

Issue Status Justification

The operator has provided risk controls and reinforced them through updated and reissued job hazard analyses.

Proactive action
Action number
AO-2023-001-PSA-312
Organisation
Sea World Helicopters Pty Ltd
Action Status
Closed
Action description

The operator created 3 new Job Hazard Analysis documents for:

  • Scenic Flight Operations
  • Heliport Operations
  • Park Pad Flight Operations.

Each of the JHA's detail risk controls for midair collision between company helicopters at the conflict point between the helipads. These included controls such as:

  • Communicate with Pad Boss for Broadwater traffic information prior to lift‑off
  • Simultaneous approaches and departures are not permitted 
  • Pilots are not to depart without clearance from the Pad Boss
  • Ensure all helicopter strobes are operating
  • All aircraft used to have high‑visibility rotor system
  • Ensure constant lookout on departure and arrival for traffic
  • Check ADS-B traffic on iPad before lift‑off
  • Make mandatory TAXI call before departure
  • Make inbound and Final call when returning

Pilots shall maintain comprehensive situational awareness regarding the movements of both company and CTAF traffic employing effective communication via both VHF and UHF radios.