Safety issue
| Safety issue description |
The operator did not provide formal training on version 3 of the ground control station software to its pilots. Instead, relying on familiarisation flights and ad hoc advice from the manufacturer. This increased the risk that show-qualified pilots would fail to identify exceedances in flight critical parameters and experience increased workload. |
|---|---|
| Issue number | AO-2023-033-SI-02 |
| Issue owner | The Australian Traffic Network Pty Limited |
| Transport function | Aviation: Other |
| Issue status | No longer relevant |
| Date issue released | 15/07/2025 |
| Issue status justification |
While the operator has undertaken safety action to ensure that its pilots are familiar with the current version of the Ground Control Station software this is understood, there remained a lack of process to ensure that future changes are effectively captured, communicated, and understood by pilots. The ATSB subsequently issued the operator with a safety recommendation to ensure that future software changes are communicated and understood by all pilots before commencing operations. In response to the safety recommendation the Australian Traffic Network Pty. Ltd. advised the ATSB that they are no longer conducting swarm operations and have disposed of their fleet of light show RPA's. |
| Issue finalisation date | 01/09/2025 |
Safety action
| Action type | Proactive action |
|---|---|
| Action number | AO-2023-033-PSA-04 |
| Organisation | Australian Traffic Network Pty Limited |
| Action description |
The Australian Traffic Network Pty Limited advised that following this accident its pilots undertook a more detailed familiarisation with the ground control station software. This included the development of a document containing details of all identifiable software features and making this information available to be used in future pilot familiarisation as necessary. |
| ATSB response |
The ATSB welcomes the safety action taken by the operator to ensure that its pilots are familiar with all the identifiable features on the current version of the ground control station software. However, in the context that RPAS operations continue to rapidly develop and diversify, without a documented process for such familiarisation whenever new software features are introduced there is limited assurance that all pilots will maintain the required systems knowledge. The ATSB therefore issues the following safety recommendation. |
| Action status | Closed |
Safety action
| Action type | Safety recommendation |
|---|---|
| Action number | AO-2023-033-SR-02 |
| Organisation | Australian Traffic Network Pty Limited |
| Action description |
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that The Australian Traffic Network Pty Limited develops a process to ensure that future software changes are communicated and understood by all pilots before commencing operations. |
| Action status | Closed |