There was no readily available information about the helipad's unique features, and the windsock sometimes gave false indications, the federal report said.

Helicopter pilot Edward Geldard, 46, drowned when his chopper plunged into the Yarra near the West Gate Bridge on December 29.

Mr Geldard, a father of two, had taken off with co-pilot James Reiss from Pier 35 in Port Melbourne about 7pm.

Witnesses at a marina saw the helicopter slow down and then wobble in the air before ditching into the river.

Mr Reiss escaped the wreckage and was rescued.

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau report released yesterday said there was concern that the Pier 35 helipad didn't comply with international standards and Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority guidelines.

"There was no readily available information, for pilots planning to use the helipad, on the pad's unique characteristics, including constraints on operations," the report said.

"Also, the windsock may provide false or incorrect indications of the local wind in some conditions, due to the location of the windsock."

In a response to ATSB investigators, helipad operator Heli Air Pty Ltd said the unique features were powerlines to the south and wind affected by surrounding buildings.

But Heli Air said the ATSB's concerns were not justified.

"While the helipad may have some unique characteristics, a properly trained helicopter pilot should be able to identify whether the helipad is safe to use, and if so, how to use it," the company said.

From February 8, only Heli Air staff or contractors were allowed to use the helipad, it said. But the ATSB report said despite this, there were no measures to stop unauthorised use of the helipad.

It called on Heli Air to take action on the safety issue.

A Heli Air spokeswoman said yesterday the company was leasing the helipad, but for commercial reasons it was no longer being used.

The report also revealed another helicopter piloted by Mr Geldard had been damaged when it hit a pelican last November. The investigation is continuing.

by John Masanauskas | SOURCE | Herald Sun | News.com.au