An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 27 FLIgHT SAFETy - PART 3 Ramp Incursions Following on from March and April's tac-aide on Flight Safety, which is of everybody's concern and in order to enhance flight safety within the Defence Forces, 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. Whether you're a visiting infantry unit conducting heli drills or attending a course of instruction – keep your senses aware at all times and remember once you come through the main gate at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel – Safety Starts Here! Figure 1 - Reported Ramp Incursions by Military and Civilian Vehicles 2006-2013 An airport's ramp or apron is the area of an airport where aircraft are parked, unloaded or loaded, refuelled, or boarded. Figure 2 - Reported Ramp Incursions via Traffic Lights 2006-2013 Since 2006 there has been 12 reported ramp incursion by vehicular traffic via the traffic lights located beside No. 5 Hangar, of these 8 were by civilian vehicles and 4 by military vehicles. Figure 2 above gives a breakdown by year of these reported ramp incursions. In 2013 there has been a 100% increase in ramp incursions by military vehicles and a 200% increase in ramp incursions by civilian vehicles over 2012 figures. Movements on the ramp area are hazardous in their own right without adding the extra hazard of uncontrolled vehicular movement. Extra signage has been placed beside the traffic lights and markings have been painted across the Bravo taxiway, however, ramp incursions still occur. There were a total of 4 reported ramp incursions in the last quarter of 2013. ALWAYS REPORT INCIDENTS & ACCIDENTS!!! Contact Flight Safety Office: RSM Fergal McMahon Ph: 01 403 7890 or 7891 or email: fergal.mcmahon@defenceforces.ie Since 2006 there has been 32 reported ramp incursions by vehicular traffic in Casement Aerodrome, of these 23 were by civilian vehicles and 9 by military vehicles. Fig- ure 1 above gives a breakdown by year of these reported ramp incursions. 2013 was a particularly bad year for ramp incursions with a total of 15 ramp incursions (9 by civilian vehicles and 6 by military vehicles). This represents slightly less than 50% of the total reported ramp incursions for the seven year period or a 500% increase on 2012 reported ramp incursions. This is a very worrying trend and it is a trend that will need to be reversed.

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