PMAC Safety Management Plan and Flying Rules

PMAC Flying Rules and Safety Management Plan for Puni Park. November 2015

Purpose

This document contains the PMAC flying rules and a safety management plan which is an assessment of the possible risks that may arise from model flying at this site and the mitigation plans the members are to follow to eliminate or minimise those risks.

Background

PMAC model club has been involved in the flying of model aircraft for 30 + years. The Puni Park flying location is a public recreation reserve which PMAC shares with a BMX group and casual users.

From November 2015 PMAC will commence model flying at Puni park. These flying rules and associated safety management plan will govern model flying at the park at all times. These rules are in addition to the MFNZ and CAA rules and if there is any conflict the MFNZ and CAA rules take precedence unless the club chooses to operate with a lower noise limit

The club and its models creates an on-going interest from the public and from this interest the public in general may wish to get closer to the model aircraft whilst aircraft are flying or being prepared to fly.

PMAC Flying Rules

1. All pilots of model aircraft must be a financial member of PMAC, or an invited guest of a PMAC member, or a financial member of another MFNZ affiliated club. Invited guests and members of other clubs may only fly on 3 occasions (not including rally events) before applying for membership.

2. ALL pilots must be financial MFNZ members and hold a ‘wings certification’.

3. ANY pilot without these qualifications may only fly under the direction of a club member who holds an MFNZ Wings Certification. Members of affiliated clubs must have proof of MFNZ membership and the MFNZ Wings Certification.

4. Large models as defined in CAA and MFNZ regulations must have undergone the certification process before they are allowed to fly at a PMAC flying site.

5. Flying of models at the Puni Reserve shall be at the discretion of PMAC. The Duty person may inspect all or any model aircraft at any time, particularly after a crash or heavy landing. If in his opinion, the model is unsafe to fly, he may ground the plane until in his opinion it is rendered airworthy. Any member who, in the opinion of the Duty person, causes or is likely to cause unnecessary damage to persons or property by his conduct or his operation of model aircraft may be suspended immediately from flying for that day. Such person may also be liable to a further period of suspension, or to expulsion from the club, as determined by a meeting of the Committee held within one week of the incident. The pilot will be invited to attend this meeting to explain his actions.

6. All transmitters must use one of the frequencies approved by MFNZ for control of model aircraft. Split or odd frequencies are not permitted. Except for transmitters on 2.4 ghz, transmitters must have the appropriate frequency flag attached at all times. These are supplied by MFNZ and can be obtained from the Club Secretary. Breaches to this rule could cause injury to persons or damage to property and/or models.

7. Models must be checked before flight to ensure all controls are secure and operate correctly and a range check carried out on the radio. It is the responsibility of the owner of the model to ensure that the plane is safe to fly. Other members may assist with preparations to fly but in the end sole responsibility for the condition of the plane remains with the pilot. Models are expected to meet the MFNZ recommendations for noise emissions. This is currently 96db at 3 meters. The Duty person may check any model at any time with a noise meter and, if over the limit, may ground that model until it meets the noise requirements. Any (lower) variation by the Club to the MFNZ standard will be published in the Newsletter.

8 If there are more than three pilots present then pilots must fly with an observer. It is the observer’s responsibility to be aware of other pilots’ movements, e.g. take offs and landings, general flight movements and the passage of full size aircraft through the area as well as watching out for public intrusions into the flight area and to warn the pilot if he is getting close to the no-fly zones.

9. Models must not be taxied in the pits. Models can be taxied from outside the pits to the flight line but can only be taxied half way back to the pits

10. All models must be restrained during start up and when being moved to and from the flight line. Before placing their model on the strip for take-off, the pilot must check with those pilots already flying that it is safe to do so by calling ”take-off”and with an acknowledgement from those flying.

11. All take-offs and landings should be made as close to the middle of the strip as possible and parallel to the length of the strip. Pilots should become proficient at taking off and landing with a crosswind present in order to comply with this regulation.

12. All pilots must fly to the same Circuit Pattern i.e. left or right hand circuits depending on the prevailing wind direction at the time. Before carrying out a flight manoeuvres over the strip and below circuit height e.g. a low pass, the pilot must call out his intention to other pilots. Landings must also be called. A pilot calling a dead stick landing has precedence over all other manoeuvres. Under no circumstances are manoeuvres to be performed within 10 metres of the pilot line.

13. No-fly areas. All flying is to be carried out on the southern side of the pilots’ line. Flying over or beyond the main road, or flying over or close to anymarket garden workers or member of the public walking in the park (who may be dog walking etc )or other car parking areas and other sports facilities when in use at the reserve is not permitted. (MFNZ require at least a 70 meter separation from members of the public or their property which include buildings and housing). Observers for a Pilot must identify to pilots on the flight line any person of the public coming within the 70m boundary.

Safety Management Plan

Purpose: To assess possible risks that could arise from our activities and a plan to address each risk.

Risks

1. When models are operating ie flying, taking off, taxing and landing a member of the public may enter the operation or flying zone.

2. A member of the public may refuse to follow a polite request to avoid the flying zone.

3. A pilot may lose control of his aircraft and pose a risk to other club members or members of the public.

4. A modeller may suffer an injury. Most likely injury is a cut or cuts caused by a propeller striking the modeller

5. A pilot may be distracted by a curious member of the public whilst he is flying

6. LipoFlight Batteries could catch fire.

Mitigation of risk 1

1a.The orientation of the flying site and the over fly area is arranged so that casual visitors would generally approach the pits area from behind the flight line.

1b. If there is another event or other users on the park in the vicinity of our flying area then solo flying will not be allowed. Solo flying is only allowed when there are no other users on the park.

1c.If there are three or more pilots present then pilots must fly with an observer. It is the observer’s responsibility to be aware of other pilots’ movements, e.g. take offs and landings, general flight movements and the passage of full size aircraft through the area as well as watching out for public intrusions into the flight area and to warn the pilot if he is getting close to the no-fly zones.

1d If the public continues to enter the flying zone the observer will inform the pilot or pilots and ask them to increase their height immediately and keep to a flying circuit that is away and clear from the public. (200-300 feet) until the public have moved away from the flying circuit

1e The observer is to politely intervene and ask the public to move away from the flying area. If the person refuses the request then follow the mitigation instructions for Risk 2.

Mitigation of risk 2

2a. The observer will warn the Pilot of the model that they need to be aware of the public entering the flying zone.

2b If the public continues to enter the flying zone the observer will inform the pilot or pilots and ask them to increase their height immediately and keep to a flying circuit that is away and clear from the public. (200-300 feet) until the public have moved away from the flying circuit

2c If the member of the public that has entered into the vicinity of the flying zone and refused a request to move and there is the likelihood of a collision between the flying model and the person, the pilot is to make every attempt to avoid this happening from a hard landing away from the member of the public to crashing their aircraft to avoid at all cost the possibility of a collision between the aircraft and the member of the public.

Mitigation of risk 3.

See MFNZ and our own rules 7, 8, 9 10, 11, 12 and 13. Adherence to these rules will eliminate or minimise risk of loss of control through a fault of the aircraft and or lack of ability on behalf of the pilot

Mitigation of Risk 4

See rules 9 and 10. All adjustments to a running motor are to be carried with the modeller standing behind the propeller. All electric powered planes are to be treated as though the motor batteries are connected unless it is obvious they are not.

The club is not allowed to store a first aid kit on site so modellers should carry some rudimentary first aid materials. The most likely injury is a cut or series of cuts so something to wrap a wound to staunch blood flow would be good. Be prepared to for the injured person to show signs of shock. Call 111 if you are not sure of the seriousness of the injury. The location of the field is Puni Road????

Qualified medical care Accident & Medical – Urgent and Afterhours Care is available at Pukekohe Family Health Care, 10 WEST STREET, PUKEKOHE

Mitigation of risk 5

The observer should converse with the person or the pilot should tell him to wait until he lands then he can talk to the person

Mitigation of risk 6

Batteries should not be charged while in a plane. Batteries when charging should be kept 500mm from anything likely to be damaged if a battery should catch fire whilst charging. Beware of batteries damaged in a crash, leave to one side until you have finished for the day and place them in a vehicle if they are in a fire proof container

Safety Management Plan Review

Site Safety will be an agenda item at every committee meeting. Safety issues raised will be discussed and if the committee decides the issue has not been covered by the plan the item and mitigation plan will be added to this document and distributed to the membership the following week.

PMAC Flying Rules

2. ALL pilots must be a financial MFNZ member and hold a ‘wings certification’.

4. Large models as defined in CAA and MFNZ regulations must have undergone the certification process before they are allowed to fly at a PMAC flying site.

5. Flying of models at the Puni Reserve shall be at the discretion of PMAC. The Duty person may inspect all or any model at any time, particularly after a crash or heavy landing. If in his opinion, the model is unsafe to fly, he may ground the plane until it is rendered airworthy. Any member who, in the opinion of the Duty person, causes or is likely to cause unnecessary damage to persons or property by his conduct or his operation of model aircraft may be suspended immediately from flying for that day. Such person may also be liable to a further period of suspension, or to expulsion from the club, as determined by a meeting of the Committee held within one week of the incident. The pilot will be invited to attend this meeting to explain his actions.

6. All transmitters must use one of the frequencies approved by MFNZ for control of model aircraft. Split or odd frequencies are not permitted. Except for transmitters on 2.4 ghz, transmitters must have the appropriate frequency flag attached at all times. These are supplied by MFNZ and can be obtained from the Club Secretary. Breaches to this rule could cause injury to persons or damage to property and/or models.

7. Models must be checked before flight to ensure all controls are secure and operate correctly and a range check carried out on the radio. Models are expected to meet the

MFNZ recommendations for noise emissions. This is currently 96db at 3 meters. The Duty person may check any model at any time with a noise meter and, if over the limit, may ground that model until it meets the noise requirements. Any variation by the Club to the MFNZ standard will be published in the Newsletter.

8 (delete this)If there are more than three pilots present pilots must fly with an observer. (delete this. Solo flying should not be allowed If there are three pilots present then one must act as observer for the other two. It is the observer’s responsibility to be aware of other pilots’ movements, e.g. take offs and landings, general flight movements and the passage of full size aircraft through the area as well as watching out for public intrusions into the flight area and to warn the pilot if he is getting close to the no-fly zones.

8. Models must not be taxied in the pits. Models can be taxied from outside the pits to the flight line but can only be taxied half way back to the pits

9. All models must be restrained during start up and when being moved to and from the flight line. Before placing their model on the strip for take-off, the pilot must check with those pilots already flying that it is safe to do so by calling ”take-off”and with an acknowledgement from those flying.

10. All take-offs and landings should be made as close to the middle of the strip as possible and parallel to the length of the strip. Pilots should become proficient at taking off and landing with a crosswind present in order to comply with this regulation.

11. All pilots must fly to the same Circuit Pattern i.e. left or right hand circuits depending on the prevailing wind direction at the time. Before carrying out a flight manoeuvres over the strip and below circuit height e.g. a low pass, the pilot must call out his intention to other pilots. Landings must also be called. A pilot calling a dead stick landing has precedence over all other manoeuvres. Under no circumstances are manoeuvres to be performed within 10 metres of the pilot line.

12. No-fly areas. All flying is to be carried out on the southern side of the pilots’ line. Flying over or beyond the main road, or flying over or close to any member of the public walking in the park (who may be dog walking etc )or other car parking areas and other sports facilities at the reserve is not permitted. (MFNZ require at least a 70 meter separation from members of the public or their property which include buildings and housing). Observers for a Pilot must identify to pilots on the flight line any person of the public coming within the 70m boundary.

13. At any time if a member of the public or person has entered into the vicinity of a flying model aircraft through any means and there is the likelihood of a collision by the flying model and the person,the modeller is tomake every attempt to avoid them. The first option being to increase height and avoid them. If an imminent close encounter/collision is likely to occur the controller of the model will deliberately hard land including ‘crash’ their aircraft to avoid the possibility of the two parties coming in contact with each other. Shortening the circuit and increasing height to ensure adequate clearance is also acceptable and the observer should assist the pilot in this respect to advise if this action is acceptable.

14. On designated flying days there will be an “officer of the Day” appointed who will make themselves known to the modellers at the time. Their job is to ensure that all club