WMAC – Risk Assessment – Ngaio

RISK ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE

SECTION 1

Name of Model Flying Club Wellington Model Aeroplane Club
Name and Location of Model Flying Site Ngaio Dynamic Soaring site
Site Owner’s name Unknown
Does the club hold a formal lease defining use of site and term of tenancy? No
Is model flying at this site an approved activity in terms of the local Council’s District Plan? No
Does the club have Resource Consent for flying of model aircraft at this site? No
Assessor’s name (1)  W Whitcher
Position in Club Senior Member
Assessor’s Signature Warren
Assessor’s Name (2)  Michael Cuthbert
Position in Club  Committee Member and Treasurer
Assessor’s Signature Michael
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?  Yes  
MFNZ Policy documents and Manuals?  Yes  
NZJMA Turbine Code of Practice? N/A  
This Club’s Safety Rules and Regulations? Yes  

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
 Walkers – Yes
 Motor Vehicles – No
 Live Stock – No
 Cliff Edge – Yes
 Paragliders – No

Hang-gliders – No

 Other Slope Soaring pilots and planes – Yes

SECTION 5 – HAZARDS REGISTER

Date Hazard
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

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
1 2 2
Control Measures:
· CAA approval held to 400ft. AGL
· Full size aircraft do not often transition the airspace.
· No more than three model aircraft flying at any one time.
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 are carried by some club members.
· Access paths cut through scrub to enable area to be accessed.
2 2 4
Details of Hazard:
Fire Hazard due to dry grass.
2 2 4
Control Measures:
· Some flyers carry fire extinguishers.
1 1 1
Details of Hazard:
Radio Spectrum issues causing loss of control of aircraft being flown.
2 1 2
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:      
Control Measures: Residual Residual Residual
Details of Hazard:      
Control Measures: Residual Residual Residual
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.
 3  1  3
Details of Hazard:
Receiver battery failure.
 3  2  6
Control Measures:
· Pilots self-regulatory check of battery voltage prior to first flight each day.
3  1  3
Details of Hazard:
LIPO battery fire due to aircraft crash, battery failure or incorrect charging procedures.
 2  1  2
Control Measures:
· All LIPO batteries are charged on the ground.
· Fire is of limited duration (approximately 30 seconds) 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 three aircraft in the air at any one time.
· All aircraft are flown in common circuit direction.
2 1  2

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.
 3  1  3
Details of Hazard:
Operational Limitations – operating within approved flight envelope and geographical limits.
 3  1  3
Control Measures:
· Briefing of new club members and bona fide visitors on flight envelope.
· No turns towards the pits or spectators.
· All flying within flight envelope.
3  1 3
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.
 3 1  3

GROUP B SITE SPECIFIC RISKS – HUMAN

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