Like other sectors, the participants had concerns of ongoing shortages of qualified pilots and instructors. The group also raised that often student pilots will go overseas to get their hours and endorsement. This is because it can be a long process to get an unrestricted class 2 rating in Australia.
What operators can do?
The group saw the need to develop pathways into the sector as a priority. The group identified the main entry points as:
- internationally trained pilots
- those from the sport and recreational sector.
Some operators are appealing to those already in the community who are local, have a passion for flying and are of a younger age.
The group saw retaining pilots as another main initiative, which means setting them up for success as a balloon pilot. With student pilots, operators focused on controls such as:
- mentoring
- providing opportunities for the pilot to gain as much practical experience in varying conditions as they can
- spending the time with individuals to consolidate on competence and build confidence in normal operations.
Having standardised and routine operating procedures helps to maintain safety and to build knowledge of:
- procedures
- the area
- wind patterns
- where you need to be.
In smaller organisations, this support heavily involves Head of Flying Operations (HOFO) to set student pilots up for success. This often builds on from building confidence during preflight planning, talking through:
- scenarios
- what to watch for
- any other considerations like landing areas.
This helps empower pilots, knowing that if there is a risk and they are not sure about flying the chief pilot will support them.
Unlike other sectors’ training of new pilots, there may be only two commercial pilots’ licenses (CP(B)L) per year. These small numbers of student is a further impediment to flight raining.
The group also commented that there isn’t government vocational education financial funding to support pilot licenses in balloon operations, as there is in other sectors.
What are we doing and already delivered?
We have issued Guide for balloons and hot airships (Plain English guide). This guide:
- helps to breakdown regulatory information to make it simple to understand
- provides support for managing your training qualifications (pilots and ground crew) and training syllabuses.
An integral part of a learning culture in an organisation is supervision and mentoring. While not specific to balloon operations AC 61-20 Pilot supervision and mentoring provides guidance to operators and pilots that contains practises that are transferrable.
We have also published:
- CP(B)L syllabus and aeronautical knowledge exam questions based on Part 131.
- A sample exposition guide to help AOC holders transition fully to Part 131.
- An updated CASA Recreational Ballooning Procedures manual for the private balloon pilots.
We also have approved a new Approved Balloon Testing Officer (examiner) in Victoria, and another is underway for WA.