An itinerant pilot learned the hard way that checking the AIP at an unfamiliar aerodrome could be a lifesaver.
At Wānaka aerodrome in early January 2025, an aeroplane nearly collided with a helicopter shortly after take-off.
The aeroplane pilot was an itinerant, while the Wānaka-based helicopter was being used for a dual flight training session.
“I heard the helicopter pilot say they were ahead of me, on heli grass 11, and about to take off,” says the aeroplane pilot.
“I made a radio call on the NZWF frequency, announcing my intentions to vacate downwind.
“I knew the helicopter was around, but I failed to make visual contact with him.”
Nine seconds after the helicopter took off, the aeroplane pilot began their take-off from sealed runway 11.
The aeroplane quickly caught up with the helicopter.
“I climbed to 500 feet and made a left-hand turn,” says the aeroplane pilot.
As they did, they turned into the path of the helicopter.
The helicopter instructor got a shock when he saw the aeroplane through the opposite window.
“My first thought was, ‘Do they know we are here?’
“That was followed immediately by, ‘I need to do something if he doesn’t!’”
The instructor then took control of the helicopter from the student.
“I applied full power and aft cyclic and got out of there as fast as I could.”
The instructor made radio contact with the aeroplane pilot, to ask if they were aware of their proximity.
“Their radio call was a bit of a surprise for me,” says the aeroplane pilot. “I just hadn’t seen them.”
Don’t assume
Crucially, the aerodrome layout, circuit, and activity at the itinerant pilot’s base aerodrome are different to those at Wānaka.
Safety Manager for Wanaka Helicopters and B-cat flight instructor, Jason Lush, says it’s essential pilots check AIPNZ Vol 4 before they head to Wānaka.
“Wānaka is a busy aerodrome, especially in summer or on long weekends,” he says.
“There’s a very busy helicopter flight training school, fixed-wing training, intensive commercial helicopter and fixed-wing operations, and skydiving operations to the north-east of the airport.
“Also, the aeroplanes and helicopters are using the same circuit at Wānaka, so you need to make sure you’re on top of everything when you fly in here,” Jason says.
CAA Investigator, Roger Shepherd, says pilots also need to understand the performance differences of aircraft.
“In this incident, the nine second head start of the helicopter vanished pretty quickly.
“It’s very easy to think that a helicopter always does a much steeper climb out than an aeroplane which is not always the case, particularly in the circuit.
“It’s an incorrect mental model to assume another aircraft must have turned, just because you cannot see it.”
There are ways to unmask the blind spots in a high-wing aircraft, says Roger.
“Raise the wings slightly, about 15 degrees.
“If you’re in doubt about anything, don’t assume all is well.”
Just because you cannot see it, does not mean it is not there – and it could be very close, says Roger.
“If you cannot spot another aircraft with your own eyes, then use the radio and speak up.
“Also, consider asking passengers to let you know if they see another aircraft near you.”
Lessons learned
The aeroplane pilot says incidents can happen to even the most experienced, when they lose focus.
“Even though I’ve been flying into Wānaka for a number of years, and have attended CAA safety seminars, I still made this very elementary mistake.”
The pilot says they’ve learned how important it is to maintain situational awareness, even while on the runway.
“If you know other aircraft are around while taxiing, observe them and make a mental note of where they are. What are their intentions, are they taking off, or landing?
“Also, check your AIP and take extra care at aerodromes that are not your usual ports of call.
“Their layout, activity, environmental factors, and threats might be different from your home aerodrome.
“It was a close call – I’m appreciative to still be flying!”
Vector is grateful to the fixed-wing pilot for sharing their story for everyone to learn from.
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Read our Work Together, Stay Apart guidance.
Main image: “Wānaka is a busy aerodrome, especially in summer or on long weekends...you need to make sure you’re on top of everything when you fly in here.” Jason Lush, Wanaka Helicopters.