Инструктор вертолета-автомобиля в Новой Зеландии лишен лицензии после гибели ученика

Gyrocopters are classed as microlight aircraft, with a rotor blade for lift instead of fixed wings. Photo / NZME A Northland flying instructor whose licences were revoked after his student died in a gyrocopter crash says he accepts the Civil Aviation Authority’s decision. Martin Pattie died in October 2023 at Omaka Aerodrome in Blenheim in his newly bought single-seat sports gyrocopter. It was his maidensolo flight in a high-performance gyrocopter. He had received 10.2 hours of training in Whangārei with Bernard “Rusty” Russell in a two-seater MT03 gyrocopter. The gyrocopter’s previous owner agreed to provide Pattie on-site guidance, while Russell took part in a pre-flight phone call discussing weather, flight conditions and flight plan. A Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) report for Coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale by investigator Colin Grounsell found Pattie was not prepared for a solo flight in the advanced gyrocopter and was overwhelmed during takeoff. He found the fatal accident was primarily caused by inadequate training and supervision. Grounsell also found Russell had failed to comply with Recreational Aircraft Association of New Zealand (RAANZ) and civil aviation rules for remote supervision, and prematurely signed off Pattie for solo flight without completing the required practical test. The CAA revoked Russell’s piloting and instructing certificates for multiple non-compliances. The CAA also said it would reaffirm the importance of adhering to regulatory requirements, while RAANZ said it would restructure pilot certification and clarify biennial flight review requirements to improve training and supervision. In a notification released earlier this year, Borrowdale accepted the findings of the CAA crash investigation but noted Russell raised concerns about a lack of rules or guidance on how to train a student to fly a single-seat aircraft. Russell no longer pilots or instructs Russell told the Northern Advocate he was no longer piloting or instructing. “I have accepted the authority’s decision.” Russell declined to comment further. Whangārei Flying Club president Bobby Foster said Russell ceased to be Chief Flying Instructor at the club in 2019, after his involvement in accidents by trainee pilots and a review into his safety record. The incidents resulted in a loss of aircraft insurance because of substantial claims of aircraft seriously damaged or written off, he said. However, Russell remained an instructor supported by the club’s committee until the CAA withdrew his instructor’s certificate after the 2023 fatal gyrocopter crash. Foster said all students solely trained by Russell were subsequently reviewed by senior instructors, with any remedial training exercises completed. All pilots were required to undergo a biennial flight test and all instructors underwent annual reviews. Foster said Whangārei Flying Club never offered gyrocopter training and Pattie was instructed by Russell as a private instructor divorced from the club. ‘We consider the evidence’ – CAA An anonymous tip to the Northern Advocate suggested Russell continued to fly in breach of the rules but the CAA said it had no evidence of this. “If you have information or evidence that suggests someone is operating without the appropriate authorisation, please let us know,” the authority said in a statement. When asked why it took multiple rule breaches before Russell’s licences were revoked, the CAA said multiple incidents did not necessarily lead to revocation, just as multiple complaints did not automatically prove misconduct. “Regulatory decisions follow a structured process that considers the evidence, the seriousness and context of the events, any patterns of behaviour and the legal thresholds in the legislation,” the statement said. Regarding training in single-seat aircraft, the CAA said Civil Aviation Rules and RAANZ guidance cover student supervision, solo flight, single-seat testing and type ratings. While they looked more like a helicopter than a plane, gyrocopters are classed as microlight aircraft and have a rotor blade for lift instead of fixed wings. According to the New Zealand Autogyro Association, gyrocopters could be designed and built from scratch, built from a kitset or factory-built, but the aircraft and pilot needed to be certified to legally fly in New Zealand. Russell had no time to right the small aircraft, with the rotor blades hitting the ground and the cockpit coming to a stop on its side next to the runway. Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.