An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 25 FLIGhT SAFETy - PART 2 Following on from last month's tac-aide on Flight Safety, which is of everybody's concern and in order to enhance flight safety within the DF, all personnel are encouraged to report all issues pertaining to flight safety. The prevention of such failures to flight safety is made through regulations, education, and training and is in everyone's interest, and remember - Safety Starts here! This tac-aide is designed for the protection of personnel and equipment. Please read this document carefully and comply with all recommendations. Foreign object Damage/Debris (FoD) is a major hazard in the aircraft environment and it can threaten the safety of air- craft. In order to minimise this risk all personnel are reminded to remove all litter and loose waste and place them in the bins provided. FOD control is not only important in Baldonnell, but it is also essential in all sites used by Air Corps aircraft. These sites can include all military establishments, Hospital landing pad and other sites used by Air Corps aircraft. FOD CONTROL Use unit flight safety meetings to get the word out • An excellent forum to address FOD reducing ideas • Encourage that information be passed on to everyone • Know where to locate and contact your Unit Flight Safety Officer (FSO) or Representative (Rep) be proactive in prevention • If you see it, don't walk by it, pick it up • Call in if you see any FOD while taxiing • Have FOD Bins/Bags available at all times • Empty out FOD Bin/Bag after task completion or at each shift change • While on Flight Line "Be FOD Vigilant!" Inventory tools • Look over your toolbox after each task • A tool could have been broken while doing the task causing FOD • A co-worker could have borrowed a tool without you knowing • Shift change is not the time to find out you have mis- placed a tool Account for hardware • Use FOD Bins/Bags to dispose of locking wire • Account for used nuts, bolts and packaging after the task is completed • Don't use your FOD Bin/Bag as personal storage to keep supplies/stock in IF IT DoESN'T bELoNG ThERE – IT'S FoD! ALWAyS REPoRT INCIDENTS & ACCIDENTS!!! The Air Corps Flight Safety Office would like to thank all those who have reported inci- dents in the past, as these reports are an invaluable source of information and are used as lessons learned and will ultimately help in identifying weaknesses within the system, which will ultimately prevent future incidents, accidents and possibly a loss of life. Contact Flight Safety office RSM Fergal McMahon Ph: 01 403 7890 or 7891 or email: fergal.mcmahon@defenceforces.ie

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