In early March Our Chief Pilot and Deputy Head Of Operations both headed up to Albury for some sling flying action. Chris and Gray spent a few days learning and refreshing slinging skills, and of course enjoying it all along the way (not withstanding some unscheduled maintenance headaches). Precision, skill, and a whole lot of fun—this is what we live for.
Student News
A big congratulations to Lachlan Sutherland, who passed his PPL flight test in March. With the flight test run by Melbourne Heli’s own in house examiner, Alex, Lachlan has worked hard for this moment, and the entire Melbourne Heli team is thrilled at this result. Well done and enjoy the next stage of your career.
Staff and Graduate News
The first few months of the year have been eventful for our Melbourne Heli pilots.
Gray achieved his gas turbine training qualification, enabling him to assist students and fellow pilots in transitioning from piston to turbine helicopters, thereby expanding their career prospects. He also hit an impressive 2000 instructional hours in this period.
Rick has also had a productive start to the year, completing a flight instructor rating course under the guidance of Alex, our Head of Operations. With his successful flight test, Rick is now the latest addition to our team of instructors at Melbourne Heli.
Ruben has been steadily building his R66 turbine hours and has now met the insurance requirements to act as pilot in command, paving the way for new opportunities as our senior line pilot.
Lastly, Melbourne Heli said a sad farewell to Jason, our gregarious Grade 2 instructor, who has moved on to the next exciting stage of his helicopter career. During his time at Melbourne Heli, Jason could be found in the instructor’s office with a jolly smile on his face, guiding the more junior line pilots or patiently helping students through the challenges of learning to fly. Jason leaves a big hole but all of us wish him well for his next exciting chapter. Jason – thank you for your efforts with us.
Fatigue Awareness
Fatigue is one of the most significant yet often underestimated risks in aviation today. It impairs cognitive function, reaction times, and decision-making abilities, all of which are critical for safe flight operations. We as pilots are the first line of defence in ensuring aviation safety, and this includes making responsible decisions about your fitness to fly.
Under Civil Aviation Order (CAO) 48.1, there are specific regulations in place to manage fatigue for pilots. These rules outline maximum flight times, minimum rest periods, and other requirements to mitigate the risks associated with fatigue. However, regulations alone cannot replace personal responsibility. Even if you are technically within the limits set by CAO 48.1, you must assess your own physical and mental state before every flight. If you feel too tired to operate safely, the best decision is to postpone or cancel the flight.
Fatigue can stem from various sources, including lack of sleep, long duty hours, stress, or even irregular sleep patterns. If you experience symptoms like difficulty concentrating, yawning, heavy eyelids, or irritability, it’s a clear indication that you probably aren’t fit to fly. Pushing through fatigue not only endangers your safety but also the safety of others.
Making the call not to fly when fatigued is not a sign of weakness—it’s a demonstration of professionalism and a commitment to safety. Always prioritise rest, plan your flights with fatigue management in mind, and never hesitate to speak up if you feel unfit to fly.
Can you spot the difference?
