WMAC – Health and Safety – Gladstone

 

Wellington Model Aeroplane Club

HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN

FOR OPERATING MODEL AIRCRAFT

AT

Gladstone Road Gladstone

October 2017

Wellington Model Aeroplane Club Committee

Date: 11/10/2017

Introduction

Wellington Model Aeroplane Club conducts free flight model aircraft flying activities at Gladstone Road Gladstone for club members and invited members of other clubs affiliated to Model Flying New Zealand.

Whilst flying model aircraft at this location does not constitute a public event, spectators are welcome to attend and observe.

Safety is of paramount importance in all of the flying conducted at this site.

Rules and Procedures

Rules governing the safe operation of radio controlled model aircraft at this location are listed in the following publications:

1. CAA Regulations Part 101
2. Model Flying New Zealand Members Manual
3. This Club’s safety rules and guidelines

MFNZ has approved this site for the flying of free flight model aircraft in terms of the above listed publications.

Hazards and Risks

A Risk Assessment has been undertaken and a Register of Hazards established. Both the severity of a risk and the frequency of the risk occurring are taken into account to give a final score by using the methodology recorded in MFNZ’s “Risk Assessment Procedure”.

Mitigation of identified risks is undertaken by a number of control methods to lower the final score to an acceptable level.

Should a serious accident occur, a post-accident audit will be conducted to capture any additional actions to make model flying at this site even safer.

Any queries regards this document should be directed to the Club’s President.

Proximity to Personnel

The approach adopted to ensure the safety of members, observers and nearby residents is one of lateral separation and flight direction limitations. This is a similar approach to that taken when considering safety at aviation locations and events. The logic is based on accepting a low risk of an aircraft accident, and following this occurrence, trying to ensure the aircraft is as far away from any people as possible.

The layout of the airfield and establishing safety lines makes best use of this approach.

First Aid

Some members carry their own first aid supplies.

Fire Hazard

Model aircraft flown at this site carry batteries and devices which may combust in the event of a crash or use of incorrect procedures. The fire is of a very short duration and risk of environmental damage is low, except possibly during dry summer conditions.

Fire Mitigation

A Knap-Sack water sprayer and fire beaters are located on site and are readily accessible to all club members. In addition, some flyers carry fire extinguishers in their vehicles.

Attachments:

1. Key Contacts List
2. Hazards Register
3. Flight Line Guidelines

Attachments: Separate Electronic Documents

1. Risk Assessments and Control Measures
2. Aircraft Inspection Form
3. Club Safety Rules and Guidelines

.

Attachment 1: Key Contacts List

List of Contacts	List name of contact	List phone numbers
Club Committee	Leo Duflou Phil Bolton Jonathan Du Preez Michael Cuthbert Chris Murphy Paul Bealing Lee Kleynhans Gavin Rhodes	04 235 6925 or 027 444 1233 027 440 7967 021 482 832 027 660 6556 027 3386 383 04 970 7268 021 026 76572 021 029 86529
Club Safety Officer	Chris Murphy	See above
Carterton Fire Station	Emergency Call	111
Masterton Ambulance Station	Emergency Call	111
Model Flying New Zealand	Jonathan Shorer	06 362 6313
CAA	Manager Special Flight Operations and Recreational Aviation	04 560 9400
Land Owner	Andrew & Lottie Rayner	06 379 9344 (lotties.queens@xtra.co.nz)

Attachment 2: Hazards Register

<tdFailure of communications system

Environmental		(The following are examples of type of information to be recorded)
Airspace		The flight ceiling is 400′ AGL Full sized aircraft may only occasionally transit this airspace.
Airfield	Runways	Flying area decided on the day according to conditions.
Flight Envelope		Flying within the site boundaries.
Surrounding Area	Public Road Farm Land	Roadway to the North, West and South Farm Land in all directions
Grounds Layout	Parking Area Spectators	Flying and Parking areas to be decided on the day according to conditions.
Radio Spectrum	DT Radio, Communications	Use of MFNZ approved frequencies only with most pilots using 2.4 Ghz. UHF CB.
Meteorology		Visual contact with aircraft
Fire		Spread of fire through grass and crops
Mechanical
Aircraft		Failure of aircraft
RC system		Failure of aircraft
Fuel		Fire Hazard – IC fuel
Accident/Failure		On site Off site
Collision		On site
Human
Pilot Qualification		Experience and safe operation of aircraft
Operational Limitations		Operating within airspace and geographical limits.
Pilot Awareness/Co-ordination		Loss of awareness of operating environment
Safety Management		Co-ordination of safety response.
Medical		Unexpected medical event. Sunburn and dehydration. Minor and/ or major injuries.

 

Attachment 3:

FLIGHT-LINE GUIDELINES FOR FLYING AT

Gladstone Road Gladstone

 

When more than one pilot is present, the following matters are to be discussed and agreed: –

Runway:

• In Use
• Entry
• Exit
• Queuing

Startup Area:

• Positioning

Launch:

• Once airborne join time keeper
• Assisted launches away from people and vehicles

Flying:

• Limitations 400 ft AGL, with flying to remain within the farm boundary

Emergencies:

• Knap Sack extinguisher and fire beaters located on site
• Fire extinguishers in some vehicles
• Communication – evacuation

Engine outs:

• Verbally communicate immediately