A chief pilot appearing at an inquest into a 2023 helicopter crash says pilots operating around the Sea World area on the Gold Coast face demanding conditions due to congestion in the airspace. The pilot’s evidence, reported across multiple outlets, emphasises that crews must maintain constant vigilance and carry out visual safety checks while flying through busy traffic. The inquest hears that increased traffic around the crash site meant pilots needed to “keep head on a swivel,” reflecting the need to remain alert to other aircraft and changing conditions. The accounts do not attribute fault to any party in the summaries provided, but they outline the operational expectations described by the chief pilot for flights conducted in a crowded environment. The reporting is consistent that the key theme of the evidence is the effect of airspace congestion on cockpit monitoring and situational awareness, particularly through visual scanning and ongoing attention to surrounding aircraft. The inquest continues as the investigation into the circumstances of the crash proceeds.