MAAA Wingspan - Quarterly Magazine

MAAALogo. 5 0 AUGUST WING SPAN SAFETY MATTERS Fingersdon’tmixwithmotors The MAAA incident reporting has experienced a notable increase relating to claims concerning hands and/or fingers and propellers coming into conflict. In all cases the unfortunate outcome has been that hands and/or fingers, have lost the battle. A couple of the incidents have proved very damaging, with fingers being completely severed. However, these types of accidents are preventable by: 1. Taking a little more time than usual to prepare our models. 2. Ensuring we remain undistracted while arming our models. 3. Ensuring our models are appropriately restrained before arming or starting. 4. Not talking or distracting your fellow aeromodellers when they are starting an engine or near one that is running. 5. Always moving behind the engine when making tuning adjustments or when removing the glow lead. 6. Not leaning or reaching over an engine that is running. If you do, it’s only a matter of time before your fingers get caught up in the propeller. Just some simple awareness is required around our motors and propellers to ensure our safety. Let us all have a goal to eliminate conflict between hands and propellers. It can be done; it just requires us to be vigilant at all times and to take our time. Car parkingareas An increase in car damage claims has been observed recently. While the damage has been relatively minor, with no members injured, the rise in damage claims is concerning as our car parking is generally located behind our pit areas. This means that models may have had an impact with a member resulting in a significantly different outcome than intended. Clubs are reminded to ensure that the car parking arrangement at their fields provides the greatest separation to their flying fields as practicably possible. While the 30-metre rule is in place, as an association we should strive to provide the highest level of risk management for our members, visitors and infrastructure possible and consider the 30-metre rule as an absolute minimum to achieve. By being aware of the potential conflict points, by either altering the flight envelope at the club or the pits and being mindful of parking arrangements, safety will be no accident. THE MAAA IS TASKED WITH REPORTING ON SAFETY MATTERS. WE HELP MAKE MODEL AEROPLANE FLYING SAFER FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY.