15 Helicopters land in the World Heritage Area

[stepbystep]

I was walking the SW Cape circuit and this happened. As the article says, I was appalled and am terrified this is the future our government wants for tourism in the parks system.

https://tasmaniantimes.com/2020/03/wild ... 5l1h59k1SA

Thoughts?

[Son of a Beach]

Totally crazy! I'm sorry that your trip was spoiled like this. But I'm glad that you were there to capture it and report on it. Were you able to capture any identifying marks on those helis?

What can we do?

I brings me to tears the way we are losing our wilderness to recklessness. I'm so sorry for my kids who will never be able to experience some of it like I have.

[stepbystep]

We've identified the helicopters as belonging to a Qld company called Heli-Biz. They were on a 5 day 'safari'. Parks has been notified and have begun to act. They have assured me there was no permit for the landing, I'll be signing a stat-dec and have provided many images so the investigation can proceed in the best way possible.

I do fear this will be something we see more and more of unfortunately. It's very upsetting.

[taswegian]

Dan that's absurd, pathetic, shattering, demoralising and much more.
My wife said it's a latest fad.
Helicopter holidays where masses of helicopters descend on towns and in your case our exquisite and unique environs.

Surely they'd need permission for that.

Governments need some testicles and show commitment to these areas in keeping such activities out.
But what would I know? I'm only a sole survivor of the ice age.
That's how people with such views are looked on as by those tasked with overseeing the future of this planet.

My two bobs worth
Richard

PS Keep it up. Your work in such areas of promotion is vital.
Always love seeing your photos. Well not with helicopters in,

[Mechanic-AL]

Incredibly sad to see. Surely someone somewhere had to give permission for this to happen in a national park. There is no way this sort of activity should be condoned.

( isnt complaining about it while naming the beach and posting multiple stunning images of the area a bit like having a bet each way .........? ).

[Azza]

We've identified the helicopters as belonging to a Qld company called Heli-Biz. They were on a 5 day 'safari'. Parks has been notified and have begun to act. They have assured me there was no permit for the landing, I'll be signing a stat-dec and have provided many images so the investigation can proceed in the best way possible.

I do fear this will be something we see more and more of unfortunately. It's very upsetting.

So this business is running a commercial operation escorting paying customer into the South West without a licence to operate in the WHA or landing permits?
hmmm... not a problem until you get caught.

[tastrax]

https://helibiz.com/helicopter-safaris/

[Warin]

Doesn't quite make me want a drone to fly against them .. but almost.

[FatCanyoner]

Great work getting the photographic evidence. I imagine a lot of dodgy stuff goes on, with operators figuring they are unlikely to be spotted in remote areas. Hopefully national parks throw the book at them!

[tastrax]

Like most folks they couldnt help but plaster it on facebook

HeliBizTas2.JPG (66.3 KiB) Viewed 36806 times

[Nuts]

A tag-a-long of random choppers? 15 (very likely well heeled ) independent owners? I doubt fines, after all it appears hacking a personal walking track is 'minor' these days.
Quite likely given the nod. Mates in the public service or ministry? Does landing restriction extend past the highest tide mark?

[taswegian]

Curious where's the biosecurity compliance in these flights?

Like much of this stuff today, it's cheap to pay a fine and just absorb it into future increased fees ready for the next fine.
If it was treated like bike or car hoons and their vehicle impounded it might have an impact.

[wander]

It would be an interesting review if one of the frantic palm trees had gone down deep in the South West.

They were brave folks to take an R44 out there, if they did, pretty ordinary reliability record. I cannot see an R44 in the pics but they are featured in the HeliBiz website.

[lefroy]

To quote their website 'these flying adventures have an amazing impact on all those who participate, whether you are a pilot, aircraft owner or simply a lucky traveller on board.'
I guess this also includes you Dan! Lucky boy getting to be so impacted!!

[crollsurf]

Parks probably a slap on the wrist. However depending on what AirServices Australia think, they could be in deep do-do

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

[michael_p]

Like most folks they couldnt help but plaster it on facebook

HeliBizTas2.JPG

This post appears to have disappeared from Fakebook.

[Warin]

I would think there are restrictions around Cape Grim.. where the clean air sampling takes place...

[L_Cham_67]

Some of the comments on The Mercury Facebook page about this issue are seriously depressing...
Apparently 'stupid' bushwalkers get lost every day, we need to just get over it, and apparently we complain about the noise of the rescue chopper.

[RicktheHuman]

Some of the comments on The Mercury Facebook page about this issue are seriously depressing...
Apparently 'stupid' bushwalkers get lost every day, we need to just get over it, and apparently we complain about the noise of the rescue chopper.

All the Mercury comment section is good for is a laugh now and then. Nothing on there to take seriously at all.

[lefroy]

Agree rickthehuman, rhys filbee is my favourite. The dribble that guy comes up with is pure gold. Its sad but true, we live amongst a lot of morons

[Eremophila]

Helibiz website advertises "helicopter safaris" including:
The Kimberly’s
the Outback

Previous safaris include:
Cape Yoke – The Tip
Red Centre – Ayres Rock
Kimberlies + NT

And...Contact out experience safari team for the helicopter trip of a lifetime!

I hope their pilots pay more attention to detail than their website maintainer.

[Lophophaps]

I saw the above typos, rather poor spelling. The website says:
"needless to say when you are considering a helicopter purchase you will be in safe/experienced hands."
The solidus "/" indicates options. For example, advice that the meeting is on Monday/Tuesday means that the meeting is on Monday or Tuesday. Hence, what Heli biz advise is that buyers will be in safe hands or experienced hands, but not both.

Does anyone know if flights need to be recorded by air traffic control or in flight log books? Is there a requirement for keeping GPS records?

[Son of a Beach]

Well done Dan. I hope this company cops the full force of the law (although I'm not confident there is much force to be copped).

I also wonder if there is some scope for the paying customers to be penalised - eg, if they chartered such flights, surely they should also have some responsibility.

[Lophophaps]

It seems to me unlikely that customers should pay any fine. They chartered the flights in good faith from pilots or entities that should know the law. I'm attracted to a penalty of having their pilot's licence revoked for, say, six months. Unlike a monetary penalty, being unable to fly cannot be dismissed easily.

[Son of a Beach]

It seems to me unlikely that customers should pay any fine. They chartered the flights in good faith from pilots or entities that should know the law.

On second thoughts, looking at their websites, it appears that it's not actually a charter arrangement at all. It's a bunch of people flying their own private helicopters, with the company playing a coordinating role. So I really do think that they should all take responsibility.

I'm attracted to a penalty of having their pilot's licence revoked for, say, six months. Unlike a monetary penalty, being unable to fly cannot be dismissed easily.

That sounds like an excellent idea. Probably too sensible for reality, unfortunately.

[RicktheHuman]

looks like more than 1 company is involved.. This company offering a tasmania safari in 2021

Capture.JPG (92.78 KiB) Viewed 36445 times

[Eremophila]

Does anyone know if flights need to be recorded by air traffic control or in flight log books? Is there a requirement for keeping GPS records?

Definitely - a flight plan is lodged, I believe with the nearest airport to the departure point. And at the end of the day they are required to log their return and cancel SAR (search & rescue). If a return is not logged then SAR automatically goes into effect.

Itinerary from Compass Helicopters:
https://www.compasshelicopters.com.au/t ... er-safari/

[stepbystep]

HeliBiz deleted their entire Facebook page. A bit late
They have a new one called HeliBiz Whitsundays.

It would be interesting to know if our head of parks, Mr Jacobi who is the former head of parks in Qld had any prior relationship with HeliBiz.... given the wishy washy PWS response I can smell a rat.

[Eremophila]

[quote="stepbystep"]HeliBiz deleted their entire Facebook page. A bit late[quote]

So it seems they have something to hide.....

[Son of a Beach]

HeliBiz deleted their entire Facebook page.

Wow... surely that's either an admission of guilt, or a gross over-reaction?