Like other sectors, the participants also had concerns of ongoing shortages of qualified instructors. This makes it hard to train and certify flight crew for aerial spraying and mustering operations. The group raised ongoing concerns about pilots leaving the sector and the skills of new pilots.
What can operators do?
While training and checking requirements set out the minimum regulatory requirements, you should consider other options when supporting crew.
Have open discussions about safe practices if your crew has limited experience.
Start a mentoring program for junior pilots who receive mentoring by more experienced pilots within the organisation. A mentoring program extends beyond basic training and checking. Mentoring allows more opportunities for junior pilots to gain a better understanding of corporate knowledge from experienced pilots.
Promote safety through mentoring or other safety briefings. You should ensure there is a focus on information to improve safety and prevent accidents and incidents. The messages should not only identify what has gone wrong but how to prevent future occurrences.
Standardising operations as much as possible. This means using standard operating procedures (SOPs) (similar to the airlines) to make things more consistent and reduce crew workload. This can also allow for a greater focus on the safe operation of the aircraft.
You should also promote a positive safety culture to support crew in raising concerns. This empowers crew to make appropriate risk-based decisions knowing they have your support.
Include human factors and non-technical skills training into your program to complement existing training, competency and currency requirements.
What are we doing and already delivered?
We have published new training and checking and recency requirements in Part 138 of CASR.
There are guides available to help operators meet the requirements and set up good training and checking systems including:
You can find guidance for the development and implementation of human factors and non-technical skills training in the following AC:
We recently published instruments for alternative pathway for the training, assessment and grant of specialised endorsements. This includes the sling, winch and rappelling operations. We issued these instruments after consultation with industry. They address issues raised around the flight training and testing scheme for these specialised endorsements as it was not working as intended.
Learn more about the endorsements: