RISK ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE
SECTION 1
| Name of Model Flying Club | Wellington Model Aeroplane Club Inc. |
| Name and Location of Model Flying Site | (Kaitoke -41°05’27.92 175°10’44.60) |
| Site Owner’s name | GWRC |
| Does the club hold a formal lease defining use of site and term of tenancy? | n.a. |
| Is model flying at this site an approved activity in terms of the local Council’s District Plan? | N/A |
| Does the club have Resource Consent for flying of model aircraft at this site? | Not Required |
| Assessor’s name (1) | Bob McGrath |
| Position in Club | Life Member |
| Assessor’s Signature | ![]() |
| Assessor’s Name (2) | Leo Duflou |
| Position in Club | President |
| Assessor’s Signature | ![]() |
| Risk assessment checked and authorised by Club Committee on | 11/10/2017 |
| Review of Assessment due on | 28/10/2019
(Unless circumstances relating to operation change, a period not exceeding 24 months is suggested) |
SECTION 2
| SUBJECT ASSESSED | The operation of radio controlled model aircraft at the site specified above. |
SECTION 3
| Is/Are the Assessor(s) familiar with the requirements of: – | Yes | No |
| CAA Rule 101? | √ | |
| MFNZ Policy documents and Manuals? | √ | |
| NZJMA Turbine Code of Practice? | n.a. | |
| This Club’s Safety Rules and Regulations? | √ |
SECTION 4 – SITE SPECIFIC RISKS
| Record details of individuals, organisations, vehicles, buildings and anything else other than club members and bona fide visitors that could be placed at risk by Club operations |
| Buildings |
| Bush |
| Car Parks |
SECTION 5 – HAZARDS REGISTER
| Date | Hazard |
| 11/10/2017 | Batteries |
| 11/10/2017 | Model aircraft fuel |
| 11/10/2017 | Dry grass and bush (Summer) |
RISK ASSESSMENT OF BEFORE AND AFTER CONTROL MEASURES
GROUP A RISKS – ENVIRONMENTAL
| Identity of Hazard | Severity | Frequency | Risk Factor (S x F) |
| Details of Hazard: Use of Airspace relative to: – · Full sized aircraft · Other club members aircraft · Visibility – height · Visibility – sun blindness · Spectators close to runway |
3 | 1 | 3 |
| Control Measures: · CAA approval held to 400ft. AGL, NOTAM above 400ft AGL. · VHF radio watch · No more than ten model aircraft flying at any one time. · Flight envelope not to exceed 1.5 nm from centre of runway · Defined spectator area 30 metres from runway · Observers for each pilot at all times |
Residual 1 |
Residual 1 |
Residual 1 |
| Details of Hazard: Airfield runway 560 metres, aligned NE/ SW |
1 | 2 | 2 |
| Control Measures: Club safety rules defining: – · use of runway · approach · speed limitation on aircraft going past pilot box · flight envelope · positioning of pilots’ box to facilitate communication between pilots. |
Residual 1 |
Residual 1 |
Residual 1 |
| Details of Hazard: Fire hazard due to surrounding trees and scrub-land |
3 | 2 | 6 |
| Control Measures: · Dry Powder fire extinguisher located in club house. · Access paths cut through scrub to enable area to be accessed. |
1 | 1 | 1 |
| Details of Hazard: Fire Hazard due to dry grass on airfield. |
2 | 1 | 2 |
| Control Measures: · Runways are mowed regularly · Infield and surrounding area grass height is maintained at less than 30cm by regular mowing. |
1 | 1 | 1 |
| Details of Hazard: Radio Spectrum issues causing loss of control of aircraft being flown. |
3 | 1 | 3 |
| Control Measures: · Strict use of MFNZ approved frequencies. · Most pilots use 2.4 GHz frequency hopping spread spectrum transmitters and receivers. |
1 | 1 | 1 |
| Details of Hazard: Meteorology – poor visibility and adverse wind direction. |
3 | 2 | 6 |
| Control Measures: · Weather minimum 3 km visibility (CAA Reg 101) |
3 | 1 | 3 |
GROUP B SITE SPECIFIC RISKS – ENVIRONMENTAL
Details of Hazard:
| Identity of Hazard | Severity | Frequency | Risk Factor (S x F) |
| Details of Hazard:
Buildings |
4 | 1 | 4 |
| Control Measures:
Fly with in approved flight envelope |
Residual . 1 |
Residual . 1 |
Residual . 1 |
| Details of Hazard:
Bush |
3 | 1 | 3 |
| Control Measures:
Fire Extinguisher handy Fly with in approved flight envelope |
Residual . 2 |
Residual . 1 |
Residual . 2 |
| Details of Hazard:
Car parks |
2 | 1 | 2 |
| Control Measures:
Fly with in approved flight envelope |
Residual 1 |
Residual 1 |
Residual 1 |
| Details of Hazard: | |||
| Control Measures: | Residual | Residual | Residual |
GROUP A RISKS – MECHANICAL
| Identity of Hazard | Severity | Frequency | Risk Factor (S x F) |
| Details of Hazard: Radio control system – failure of aircraft communication system. |
3 | 2 | 6 |
| Control Measures: Transmitter “Range Check” for every model being flown prior to first flight each day. |
1 | 1 | 1 |
| Details of Hazard: Receiver battery failure. |
3 | 2 | 6 |
| Control Measures: · Pilots self-regulatory check of battery voltage prior to each flight. |
1 | 1 | 1 |
| Details of Hazard: Battery fire due to aircraft crash, battery failure or incorrect charging procedures. |
3 | 2 | 6 |
| Control Measures: · All batteries are charged on the ground away from vehicles and club buildings. · Fire is of limited duration and contained within small area surrounding the battery. · Members encouraged to use fire proof bags when charging LIPO batteries. |
1 | 1 | 1 |
| Details of Hazard: Collision of model aircraft being flown at the same time. |
2 | 2 | 4 |
| Control Measures: · No more than ten aircraft in the air at any one time. · Observers required when flying large scale models. · All aircraft are flown in common circuit direction. |
1 | 1 | 1 |
GROUP B SITE SPECIFIC RISKS – MECHANICAL
| Identity of Hazard | Severity | Frequency | Risk Factor (S x F) |
| Details of Hazard: | |||
| Control Measures: | Residual | Residual | Residual |
| Details of Hazard: | |||
| Control Measures: | Residual | Residual | Residual |
| Details of Hazard: | |||
| Control Measures: | Residual | Residual | Residual |
GROUP A RISKS – HUMAN
| Identity of Hazard | Severity | Frequency | Risk Factor (S x F) |
| Details of Hazard: Pilot qualification – control of aircraft |
3 | 2 | 6 |
| Control Measures: · All pilots current MFNZ members and covered by MFNZ insurance. · Only pilots with MFNZ “Wings” badge appropriate to type of aircraft being flown. · Other pilots must have an observer with MFNZ “Wings” badge appropriate to type of aircraft being flown. |
1 | 1 | 1 |
| Details of Hazard: Operational Limitations – operating within approved flight envelope and geographical limits. |
3 | 1 | 3 |
| Control Measures: · Pilot briefing before each event. · No turns towards the pits or spectators. · Fly with in approved flight envelope |
1 | 1 | 1 |
| Details of Hazard: Pilot awareness/co-ordination – loss of awareness of operating environment. |
3 | 2 | 6 |
| Control Measures: · All pilots to be in Pilots’ Box to facilitate communication. · All models to have observer to inform pilot of proximity of other aircraft and other hazards. |
1 | 1 | 1 |
GROUP B SITE SPECIFIC RISKS – HUMAN
| Identity of Hazard | Severity | Frequency | Risk Factor (S x F) |
| Details of Hazard:
Members Cars |
3 | 2 | 6 |
| Control Measures:
Park in designated car park area’s |
Residual 2 |
Residual 1 |
Residual 2 |
| Details of Hazard: | |||
| Control Measures: | Residual | Residual | Residual |
| Details of Hazard: | |||
| Control Measures: | Residual | Residual | Residual |

