MAAA Wingspan

As we return to full flying across ALL states it’s a timely reminder of an increase in finger strikes being reported. During COVID-19, many of us took a break from our routine of flying at our clubs and subsequently our habits of personal safety may not necessarily be at the forefront of our minds. The MAAA incident reporting is currently being well used as a result of hands and fingers coming into conflict with propellers. In all cases, the hand or fingers, have lost the battle. A couple of the incidents have caused serious injuries. These types of accidents are preventable by: 1. Don’t rush when preparing models; 2. Remain undistracted while arming models; 3. Ensuring models are appropriately restrained before arming or starting; 4. Don’t talk or distract fellow modellers when they are starting an engine or near one that is running. 5. Always move behind the engine to make tuning adjustments and remove the glow lead; 6. Do not lean or reach over an engine that is running. Let us all have a goal to eliminate conflict between hands and propellers. Incident/Accident reporting: The MAAA and State Associations have a culture of nurturing and learning from our accidents and incidents. Therefore reporting an incident helps to identify trends and action appropriate duty of care. The 7 simple steps for managing an incident or accident are: 1. The Club (or Contest/Display Director of an event) should advise the MAAA Secretary immediately when an incident or accident has occurred. This can be done 24/7 via email (secretary@maaa.asn . au) or text message to 0499 060 611. 2. The Club (or Contest/Display Director of an event) should obtain a MAAA Incident Report form and MAAA Incident Investigation form available from the MAAA website www.maaa.asn.au/forms. These forms should be completed with witness statements, photos, plans, maps and any other documentation considered necessary. Too much information is better than not enough. 3. The Club (or Contest/Display Director of an event) should investigate and identify corrective actions to minimise the possibility of the accident/ incident reoccurring. The club should complete a MAAA Incident Report form and MAAA Incident Investigation forms and send the completed forms to the MAAA Secretary. It is important that the Club (or Contest/Display Director of an event) includes recommended corrective actions in the appropriate section of the Investigation Report to assist the MAAA Executive in considering ‘close out’ of the incident. 4. The MAAA Secretary will send the Incidents Report and the Investigation Report to the MAAA executive and the state associations safety officer to review. Where there is a potential insurance claim, the MAAA secretary will also forward the reports to the insurance broker to advise the insurance company of an accident/ incident and the potential of a claim. 5. The MAAA Executive will review at the next executive meeting all new Incident Reports and Investigation Reports and make a decision about closing the incident/accident. 6. The MAAA office communicates with the member and club about the decision and course of action that needs to be taken. Following the completion 04 05 On the day, very few members from other clubs attended and worse still, many of the club’s own members were absent. I have asked members why they do not attend other club events; the answers are common, “I am only interested in my club”, “I have other things to do”, “I don’t like competitions”, “I don’t like travelling” etc. Surprisingly, these very same members and clubs expect other members to attend events conducted by their club. Some may blame the COVID-19 experience, however, I believe the trend started well before this. For years, MAAA Clubs have utilised modelling events to promote model aviation to the community and raise funds to improve facilities for the benefit of current members and to attract new members. The success of these events relies solely on the reciprocal support from club members. The success of major events held throughout Australia has been achieved through the attendance of members and support from other clubs. For clubs to grow and for model aviation to survive against other competing leisure activities, we must continue to work together as one. This can be done by supporting each other, sharing our knowledge and demonstrating to the community what model aviation is all about. The “silo mentality” must not prevail. Without our mates, this sport is nowhere near as worthwhile. These activities are the lifeblood of our sport. How can we do this? 1. State Associations “need to organise simple low-key events for everyone. 2. Club management need to take the lead and encourage members to participate in club events. 3. Invite various disciplines to fly at the club field and demonstrate their skills. 4. Invite members of various disciplines to attend social meetings to share knowledge and provide an insight into their unique model aviation activity. 5. Encourage members to try something new. 6. Visit other clubs, participate in events and competitions, local and nationally. It is up to all of us to ensure the continuation of model aviation. We all need to make a determined effort to support our own club events as well as those conducted by other clubs. There is strength in a unity of purpose and common goals. Much time and effort is dedicated by club managers to build and promote model aviation, they need our support. Neil Tank President president’s report CONTINUED... safety matters: FINGERS, MOTORS & Fire prevention