Planning a safe flight — transcript

00:00:00.600 --> 00:00:04.780 Planning a safe flight: hazards, risk, and records.

00:00:06.400 --> 00:00:12.564 Every flight starts with four phases: identify hazards, assess risk, mitigate it,

00:00:12.564 --> 00:00:16.248 and document it. If conditions change, reassess.

00:00:16.598 --> 00:00:20.993 Start on the ground. Walk the site, check incident reports,

00:00:20.993 --> 00:00:24.435 brainstorm with your crew, and use experience.

00:00:24.785 --> 00:00:29.597 A hazard is any condition that could lead to an unplanned event. Tag every one:

00:00:29.597 --> 00:00:34.710 power lines, trees, buildings, people, vehicles, birds, radio interference, weather,

00:00:34.710 --> 00:00:35.913 and other aircraft.

00:00:36.685 --> 00:00:38.670 Use a checklist so nothing is missed.

00:00:42.285 --> 00:00:47.391 Phase two: rate each hazard. Likelihood is how probable it is.

00:00:47.391 --> 00:00:50.958 Consequence is the worst realistic outcome.

00:00:51.308 --> 00:00:57.708 On the CASA template matrix, add them. Low may proceed. High and extreme may not.

00:00:58.308 --> 00:01:02.531 Say a component fails in flight. Possible: that's a three.

00:01:02.531 --> 00:01:07.686 Damage between one and ten thousand dollars: a two. Total five, medium.

00:01:08.808 --> 00:01:13.575 A medium risk may proceed, but reduce it as low as reasonably practicable.

00:01:13.575 --> 00:01:17.898 Fit a parachute: likelihood two, consequence one. Score three, low.

00:01:19.308 --> 00:01:24.785 Phase three: mitigate. Work down the hierarchy: eliminate, substitute, engineer,

00:01:24.785 --> 00:01:29.992 then procedures. Protective equipment comes last. Then reassess what's left.

00:01:30.342 --> 00:01:34.234 Quick check. A hazard scores seven, high. What happens next?

00:01:35.342 --> 00:01:39.939 Apply controls and reassess. It can't go ahead as it is.

00:01:40.342 --> 00:01:45.726 Phase four: document it in a Job Safety Assessment. Describe the job, list hazards,

00:01:45.726 --> 00:01:49.380 risks and controls, and name who's accountable for each.

00:01:50.842 --> 00:01:56.021 Then the pre-flight checklist, every time. Flight zone, conditions, equipment,

00:01:56.021 --> 00:02:01.003 comms, NOTAMs, crew and site. Check solar activity too: it can degrade GPS.

00:02:01.353 --> 00:02:06.385 Brief everyone: the risk findings, weather and NOTAMs, obstacles, known traffic,

00:02:06.385 --> 00:02:09.242 and your landing areas, including the backup.

00:02:09.592 --> 00:02:15.058 Then set up. Clear the launch area, put out cones and signs, test the equipment,

00:02:15.058 --> 00:02:16.880 and ground-run the motors.

00:02:18.592 --> 00:02:23.634 Then keep the records. Three logs, each kept for seven years.

00:02:24.392 --> 00:02:28.318 The operational log covers the job. Your pilot log covers you.

00:02:28.318 --> 00:02:31.994 The technical log covers the aircraft and its maintenance.

00:02:33.592 --> 00:02:38.664 A test flight log is kept for three years. And report to the ATSB:

00:02:38.664 --> 00:02:44.720 death or serious injury immediately, lesser incidents within seventy-two hours.

00:02:45.070 --> 00:02:50.262 So: find the hazards, rate and treat the risk, brief and set up,

00:02:50.262 --> 00:02:52.019 and keep the records.

00:02:53.070 --> 00:02:57.276 Final check. Your drone is due for maintenance. Which log records it?

00:02:58.670 --> 00:02:59.872 The technical log.