Systems essential to support pilots

Every successful aerial application operation demonstrates most of the features of sound safety management – without that no operation could be successful in the hostile low level environment of aerial application.

But, contrary to many consultants’ advice, a system-based approach to safety doesn’t have to be complicated.

In the food industry, for example, use is made of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system. While in large operations this approach can be quite involved, in essence it says not only identify the risks, but identify the critical control points where we can influence the outcome.

This approach works well in application operations where there are probably eight key areas where we have the opportunity to control risk.:

• intelligence gathering – from the farmer and agronomist, from mapping, even from Google Earth.

• planning – putting all available intelligence into a coherent plan considering safety, efficacy, productivity – in that order!

• mixing and loading – ensuring the correct load is mixed and put onto the aircraft

• pre-takeoff – ensuring the aircraft will get airborne safely in full knowledge of the wind, strip length, weight etc

• ferry – a chance for the pilot to mentally prepare for the job and review their planning

• aerial survey – the final chance for the pilot to confirm the plan, conduct a final hazard check (using the WISHSTANDE mnemonic or better), and identify and manage any new risks not identified in the plan,

• job monitoring – the pilot’s need to identify and manage emerging risks and to ensure the application remains within safety and other parameters

• record keeping – without good records you can’t prove what you did, identify trends or protect your business from spurious claims..

Each operational segment gives us the opportunity to avoid or reduce risks. Every pilot and operator should look at this approach as a chance to ensure their investments and physical well-being are protected for each job.

Most aerial ag businesses have systems, training and checklists to support good decision-making at each of these stages – but an important issue is to ensure that due diligence (risk management) is recorded.

We all hate paperwork, but if you want the same good quality outcome for every job, it becomes clear that no-ones’ memory is capable of consistently delivering what you need every time.

If you are kidding yourself that you can, then you are ignoring all of the human factors and psych research indicating what a fragile, temperamental and unreliable thing memory is.

Short term memory is limited to 7 items (+/-2) at best and can be significantly reduced by fatigue and other factors. You have little control over what is held in short term memory and it is susceptible to distraction, especially if you are fatigued or low on the stress/arousal curve (ie bored or complacent). Throw in inattentional blindness – where your brain may not even register you have seen something if you are not actively focused on it – and the value in using checklists and other consistent reminders becomes obvious.

The big challenge is to have the self-discipline (for the pilot) and the company systems (for the operator) to ensure the same safe outcome for every operation.

Vale John Freeman OAM

Another link with the early days of aerial ag in Australia has been severed with the passing of John Freeman – ag pilot, ag operator, former Examiner of Airman for CASA’s predecessor, ag ATO and aviation safety author.

John wrote the original Agricultural Pilots Manual (the ‘white’ book) for CASA in the 1960s. This very quickly became the starting point for all ag pilots. John later wrote “Flight at Lower Levels” and “Flight at Lower Levels – Safety in the Circuit”.

John also trained many ag pilots. His contribution to aviation was recognized in recent years by an Order of Australia Medal and the AAAA’s Ray Mackay Award, both of which were well deserved.

AAAA Convention 2009

The AAAA Convention will be held on 2 and 3 June 2009 at the Marriott Resort and Spa, Surfers Paradise. A full registration pack will be on the website in the New Year.