» AUTUMN newsletter - April 2010

Recent Developments

CASA Safety Seminars
More than 4000 pilots took part in CASA’s popular AvSafety seminars during 2009. There were 96 seminars, mainly held in regional centres. 2010 more safety seminars are planned and dates below are confirmed but actual locations not yet confirmed. Put it in your diary and come along. Check the CASA web site for booking details.
Dates: 27 Apr Wollongong, 24 May Bankstown, 29 Jun Bathurst.

Helicopter Safety Videos
Have a look at the HAI site for some interesting videos on all type of Helicopter operations     http://www.rotor.com/Default.aspx?tabid=963

Violations of Controlled Airspace
A Violation of Controlled Airspace (VCA) is the unauthorised entry of an aircraft into airspace that would otherwise require a clearance to enter, or may be restricted or closed for purposes of special flying activity or other reasons.

In a VCA, there is the potential for your aircraft to operate in unsafe proximity to other aircraft. A VCA may also increase Air Traffic Control (ATC)/pilot workload and result in delays to other aircraft.

There are a number of practises which may help you avoid a VCA.
Flight Planning
Before you begin your flight ensure you have all the required accurate and up-to-date airspace chart’s and ERSA.
• Be thoroughly familiarise yourself with local airspace and other aeronautical issues
• brief yourself on restricted area activations for your planned route, including
NOTAM briefing
• consider Control Area (CTA) steps along and around your planned route
• consider the navigation tolerances (see AIP ENR 1.1) that apply to your proposed route and level
Navigation
• accurately know your position relative to the CTA steps
• verify your position if you unexpectedly arrive well ahead of or after your anticipated time of arrival
• if in doubt, ask for navigation assistance from ATC
Transponder Usage
• ensure your transponder is serviceable before you fly
• set your transponder to ON/ALT with code 1200 selected.
This will make your aircraft visible to ATC and the Traffic
Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) in other aircraft
Radio Frequencies
• actively monitor the appropriate area radio frequency and listen for transmissions that include your callsign
• be aware that ATC may direct calls to you based upon your position, altitude or heading
• speak up if you think a transmission may have been directed to you
Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
• always be aware of your position relative to CTA or other restricted areas such as military airspace
• always ensure that you apply the appropriate GPS tolerances
• remember that VFR flight rules require navigation with visual reference to the ground
Warning:
Be aware that CTA steps are generally based upon the location of the aerodrome DME/VOR, while GPS often uses the aerodrome reference point which might be a couple of miles away from the DME/VOR. Therefore apply a safety buffer.
Using Air Traffic Control
• controllers are there to help you
• subject to workload, a controller can assist with navigation advice, traffic information and weather
In-Flight Diversions
Warning:
If due to weather or other factors a change to your preplanned route is required, be cautious as these situations have commonly led to VCA occurrences. If you require assistance with an in-flight diversion or a clearance request, contact ATC as soon as this is recognised.
Requesting Clearance
• you should request a clearance at least five minutes before reaching the CTA step
• a submitted flight plan will expedite clearances
• have a contingency in case a clearance is not available

Our training base at Orange is now very comfortable in it present location. Now carrying its new name of the “Central West Helicopter School” and a new logo the student numbers continue to increase as does the profile of the school. The Bankstown Helicopters web site will soon carry new pages showcasing the Central West Helicopter School. Advertising in the local newspaper will also spread the new of the schools profile as a leader in helicopter flight training in the west.

George Hancock and Neil Hughes outside the hanger being used by Central West Helicopter School.

From the Instructors

Milestones Achieved

Passenger Briefing

Every Pilot wonders what constitutes a good thorough passenger briefing. How long should you talk for, what should you say, what should you ask?
An upbeat personality can help make your passengers keep their attention focused on what your saying. Like this story if it’s to long you give up concentrating and if it’s too short you’ll wonder whether I really know what I’m talking about.
The company op’s manual will cover the minimum requirements for a passenger brief so read up and demonstrate a brief to other pilots to gain some ideas and variations. Some items to also consider

• Introduce the passengers to the scales after you have their details on the paperwork. (This gives you a mental picture of your weight and balance)

• Always ask have you flown in a heli or plane before?
  (To you that means will they throw up or be an unstable passenger or not. Nothing takes your attention away from flying more than the noise, sight and smell of someone vomiting!)

• Consider the following additions to your brief, have your passengers operate the door latch, the seat belt latch, the door vents, location of sick bags and the intercom switch/headset volume knob, as doing is far more valuable than being told how to. 

• Prior to landing remind passengers to keep seat belts on and remain in the machine until the rotors stop turning and you’ll advise them to when disembark.

• The correct brief may save someone’s life including yours.

Congratulations to the following pilots who have passed flight tests recently:

FIRST SOLO
Max Baker

PPL
John Swain

NVFR
Nil for this period

CPL
Duncan Minto

Flight Instructor
Nil for this period