Site Surveys

Presented byPresented by

Burt ComptonBurt Compton

Concept of the Soaring Site Survey...

Based on the Swedish Soaring Federation

mandatory Site Survey program

which resulted in a decrease

in the glider accident rate in Sweden

by more than 50%.

Soaring Site Survey...

• You must invite the Soaring Safety Foundation to conduct a survey.

• A soaring site cannot “fail” a site survey - it is a observation of glider operations.

• A one-day visit includes an evening Safety Seminar to discuss concerns with all of the club members.

Benefits

• Independent, third-person observations.

• Generates a confidential verbal report.

• A basis to modify your “Safety Culture”.

• Reinforces your commitment to safety.

• Refreshes CFIG teaching techniques.

• Identifies your “Good Ideas”, to be shared.

Beyond The Bottom Line

• Save lives, prevent injuries.

• Reduce damage to aircraft and property.

• Save your club, and your soaring site.

Corrective Actions

After the Site Survey, club managers begin:

• Reviewing Ops Procedures• Updating Manuals• Giving Authority to the Safety Officer• Strengthening Club Management• Periodic Self-Evaluation

26 Site Surveys in 18 States2002 – 2005

CA (3) IL (2) VT (2)

TX MI (2) NH

NM WI MA

CO (3) MN (2) VA

TN IA PA

FL NY AZ

Site Survey Checklist

• Club Member Concerns

• Recent Incidents

• Current Operational Aspects

• Management Structure

Site Survey Checklist

• Managers• Safety Officer• Flight Instructors• Tow Pilots• Line Crew

Site Survey Checklist

• Airspace

• Airport

• Aircraft

- Gliders

- Towplanes

Site Survey Checklist

• Ground Handling

• Launch Point Organization

• Takeoff Procedures

• Aerotow and Release Procedures

• Landing Patterns

Modifying the Safety Culture

• “We’ve always done it this way.”• Avoid operating in a bubble.• Compliance with safety procedures by pilots of

privately owned gliders

• Attitudes about risk management• Consistency in training / periodic checkouts• Instructor Recertification• Safety Meetings

Sharing The Good Ideas!

Common Observations

• Launch Point OrganizationGround handling & securing of gliders.People & equipment along the takeoff line.

• Club Instructors – Inconsistent training:no syllabusno student progress checks / pilot recordsdifferent checklistsdifferent landing pattern shapesdifferent stall/spin recognition trainingCFIG renewal by non-glider method

Common Observations

• Towpilots – Diving after glider release,

aggressive flying, rope management, taxi routes.

• Club ManagementPoor record keeping, especially pilot currency.

Not establishing authority of a Safety Officer.

• Rescue Equipment / Emergency Plan

Common Observations

• Strange checklists, if any.

• Flying high above the towplane wake.

• Flying “square” patterns in relation to landmarks on the ground.

• Lack of awareness of new procedures / sources of training and safety information. Insisting on doing it the “old way”.

Crew Resource Management

• Glider Pilot• Towpilot • Wing Runner

Burt’s Triangle

Safety Fun

The Bottom Line

Don’t Lose Sight of Safety!

Safety

Fun

The Bottom Line

Invite the SSFSoaring Site Survey

Flight Instructor Recertification Clinic (FIRC)

Speak at your Soaring Safety Seminar

www.SOARINGSAFETY.org

Contact the Soaring Safety Foundation

www.SOARINGSAFETY.org

SSF Trustees: Rich Carlson (Chairman)

Bernald Smith

Gene Hammond

Bob Wander

Burt Compton