WMAC – Health and Safety – Whitireia Park

 

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

divider imageIntroduction

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:

  1. CAA Regulations Part 101
  2. Model Flying New Zealand Members Manual
  3. 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:

  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 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
Name: Titahi Bay, Porirua
Vertical Limit: SFC, 1500 ft.
Active: Daylight hours.
Using agency: Wellington Model Aircraft Club.

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