Wellington Model Aeroplane Club
HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN
FOR OPERATING MODEL AIRCRAFT
AT
(Red Rocks, South Coast Wellington)
October 2017)
Wellington Model Aeroplane Club Committee
Date: 11/10/2017
Introduction
Wellington Model Aeroplane Club conducts Dynamic Soaring flying activities at this site for club members and invited members of other clubs affiliated to Model Flying New Zealand.
Flying model aircraft at this location is by invitation only and is not a public event.
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:
- CAA Regulations Part 101
- Model Flying New Zealand Members Manual
- This Club’s safety rules and guidelines
MFNZ has approved this site for the flying of DS type 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
Radio controlled model aircraft carry batteries which are unlikely to combust in the event of a crash.
Fire Mitigation
N.A.
Attachments:
- Key Contacts List
- Hazards Register
- Flight Line Guidelines
Attachments: Separate Electronic Documents
- Risk Assessments and Control Measures
- Aircraft Inspection Form
- 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 | Peter Glassey | 021 738 390 |
Kilbirnie Fire Station | Emergency Call | 111 |
Kilbirnie Ambulance Station | Emergency Call | 111 |
Wellington City Council | Emergency Call | 04 499-4444 |
Model Flying New Zealand | Jonathan Shorer | 06 362 6313 |
CAA | Manager Special Flight Operations and Recreational Aviation | 04 560 9400 |
Attachment 2: Hazards Register
<tdFailure of communications system
Environmental | (The following are examples of type of information to be recorded) | |
Airspace | This site is within controlled air space to be used as a shielded operation only. | |
Airfield | Runways | n.a. |
Flight Envelope | See attached map. Permission required from ATC, Wellington. | |
Surrounding Area |
|
|
Grounds Layout | Ridge edge | Grassed area |
Radio Spectrum | Use of MFNZ approved frequencies only with most pilots using 2.4 Ghz. | |
Meteorology | Visual contact with aircraft | |
Fire | Spread of fire through scrub | |
Mechanical | ||
Aircraft | Failure of aircraft | |
RC system | Failure of aircraft | |
Fuel | n.a. | |
Accident/Failure | On airstrip Off airstrip |
|
Collision | On circuit | |
Human | ||
Pilot Qualification | Control 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 affecting ability to control aircraft. Sunburn and dehydration Minor and/or major injuries |
Attachment 3:
FLIGHT-LINE GUIDELINES FOR FLYING AT
Red Rocks, South Coast, Wellington
When more than one pilot is present, the following matters are to be discussed and agreed: –
Launch Area:
- In Use
- Circuit Direction
- Entry
- Exit
Launch:
- Once airborne move to Pilots’ Box
- Assisted launches away from people
Circuit:
- Shielded operation
Emergencies:
- Anyone going to recover aircraft MUST have approval of active pilots
- No one on the launch area unless specifically cleared by active pilots
Aircraft failure:
- Verbally communicate immediately