Above: CPL student Pat over Melbourne Airport
Girls in Aviation Day
Above and below: Girls in Aviation Day returns to YMEN
Melbourne Helicopters was proud to support the recent Girls in Aviation Day, hosted at Hangar 14, with VH-DGL on display for the event. It was fantastic to see so many young and aspiring female aviators come along, explore the aircraft and learn more about the many exciting opportunities to join the industry. A special thanks to Christine from YMEN Tower for all her hard work facilitating the event again this year.
Student News
A big congratulations to Laura, who recently flew solo for the first time. This is a fantastic achievement and a great reward for all the hard work, persistence and dedication she has put into her training. Reaching that first solo is a milestone every pilot remembers, and we think Laura should be very proud of her progress. Well done!
Above: A happy Laura during her first solo flight
Above: A focussed Dillon on a recent cross country training flight
Staff and Graduate News
Our Chief Instructor recently had a very special passenger join him for a flight, taking his six-year old son Dash up in one of our Cabri G2s. With more Cabri flying hours than anyone else in Australia, there aren’t many people better placed to introduce Dash to flying. Sitting alongside his dad, Dash was certainly in very safe and experienced hands for his time in the cockpit.
Above and below: Big smiles from Gray and Dash
Maintain Good Lookout
Pilots are reminded of the importance of maintaining a high level of situational awareness when operating at non-towered aerodromes. Without air traffic control providing separation or traffic information, pilots rely heavily on effective radio communication, a disciplined visual lookout and predictable circuit procedures. The ATSB notes that three-quarters of reported occurrences involving aircraft flying too close to one another in uncontrolled airspace occur within 10 NM of a non-towered aerodrome, with insufficient communication being the most common contributing factor.
Above: Location of mid-air collisions in the circuit (constituting 29 of the 37 mid-air collisions in Australia between 1961 and 2003)
The 2020 collision between an Extra EA-300 and a Guimbal Cabri G2 at Caloundra provides an important example. Despite both aircraft making radio calls, the pilots of the Extra did not assimilate the helicopter’s transmissions and were unaware that it was ahead of them in the circuit. The Extra subsequently landed and collided with the Cabri while it was hovering above the runway. Fortunately, nobody was injured. The accident highlights the importance of understanding how different aircraft may operate in the circuit, particularly helicopters, and reminds us that hearing a radio call is not the same as developing an accurate mental picture of the traffic around us.
Above: Propeller strike mark and skid damage to VH-LTO at Caloundra
When operating at non-towered aerodromes, make clear and timely CTAF broadcasts, actively listen to the calls of others, maintain a continuous lookout and never assume another pilot has seen or understood your intentions. Radio and visual lookout should work together – the ATSB reports that searching for traffic is significantly more effective when radio information is combined with visual scanning.
Pilots are encouraged to read the ATSB pilot’s guide on safety around non-controlled aerodromes, the ATSB full report, as well as watch a recent CASA webinar on the topic. Lastly, if in any doubt about what’s required if you, please speak with our instructional team who are here to help you fly safe.
Windscreen Cleanliness
With the returning warmer weather comes an increase of flying insects that will invariably hit aircraft, fouling windscreens and impeding visibility. Anyone who has scanned for traffic through a dirty windscreen appreciates the increased risk this poses, and so if you complete a flight and notice that the windscreen requires cleaning, the expectation is that you will do the cleaning to assist the next pilot to have a safe flight.
Students who haven’t been shown how to correctly wash aircraft windscreens should engage a staff member to take them through it. It’s important to get right as damaging the windscreen through improper techniques is possible (we’ve previously shared how to do this in our August 2023 newsletter).
Face Lift
You might have noticed some improvements in both our downstairs and upstairs facilities recently. Special thanks to Chris for his vision and execution, and Josh for all his hands on work refurbishing these areas.
Asobo Cabri G2 - Melbourne Heli Pack
Our resident helicopter flight sim expert Matthew Crawford recently made us aware of these Microsoft Flight Simulator skins for our Cabris. Feel free to check it out if it helps you scratch that itch before getting back into the real thing. To ZackyMonster_62, the creator, our Chief Pilot thinks you’ve done a great job.
Go Around or Goat Around?
Regardless apply power and establish a positive rate of climb.
Fly safe!