Wellington Model Aeroplane Club Inc.
HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN
FOR OPERATING MODEL AIRCRAFT
AT
Whitireia Park, Titahi Bay, Porirua, Wellington.
October 2017
Wellington Model Aeroplane Club Committee
Date: 11/10/2017
Introduction
Wellington Model Aeroplane Club conducts model aircraft flying activities at Whitireia Park 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 slope soaring 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 have approved this site for the flying of slope soaring gliders, electric powered gliders and scale gliders only.
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 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 launch area designation and established safety lines makes best use of this approach.
First Aid
Some members also carry their own first aid supplies.
Fire Hazard
There is no perceived fire hazard apart from the identified possible Lipo battery fires
Electric Powered Aircraft
Electric aircraft are powered by Lithium Polymer batteries which may combust in the event of a crash or use of incorrect charging procedures. The fire is of a very short duration and risk of environmental damage is low.
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 | Leo Duflou | See above |
Tatahi Bay Fire Station | Emergency Call | 111 |
Wellington Ambulance Station | Emergency Call | 111 |
Police | Emergency Call | 111 |
Whitireia Regional Park | Park Ranger | 04 526 4133 |
Model Flying New Zealand | Jonathan Shorer | 06 362 6313 |
CAA | Manager Special Flight Operations and Recreational Aviation | 04 560 9400 |
Attachment 2: Hazards Register
Environmental | (The following are examples of type of information to be recorded) | |
Airspace | Whitireia Park is a listed Danger Area for Model Aircraft use by NZ CAA.
Code: NZD625 |
|
Launch Area | North/South alignment – minimum 5 meters from the cliff edge Other flying areas as per attached map. |
|
Flight Envelope | 100 meters on either side of the pilots position and to a height of 200 meters | |
Surrounding Area | Sealed road
Walking tracks |
= no fly
= no fly |
Radio Spectrum | Use of MFNZ approved frequencies with most pilots using 2.4 GHz. | |
Meteorology | Visual contact with aircraft Wind affecting model performance |
|
Fire | Spread of fire through grass and gorse. | |
Mechanical | ||
Aircraft | Failure of aircraft | |
RC system | Failure of aircraft | |
Fuel | Fire Hazard – Fuel/Battery – covered above | |
Accident/Failure | On launch area Off launch area |
|
Collision | Ground and air | |
Human | ||
Pilot Qualification | Safe 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 Minor and/or major injuries |
Attachment 3:
FLIGHT-LINE GUIDELINES FOR FLYING AT
Whitireia Park, Titahi Bay, Porirua, Wellington.
When more than one pilot is present, the following matters are to be discussed and agreed: –
Flying Areas:
- In Use
- Circuit Direction
- Entry
- Exit
- Queuing
- Other flight users (Paragliders & Hang-gliders)
Take Off:
- Assisted launches away from people and vehicles
Circuit:
- Limitations 200 m AGL
- No direct turns or manoeuvres directly towards any occupied areas
- No over-flying of residential properties
Emergencies:
- Anyone going to recover aircraft MUST have verbal approval of active pilots
- Verbally communicate immediately