Site Survey Program

Concept of the "SOARING SITE SURVEY"

The Swedish Soaring Federation has determined that Site Safety Reviews have a major impact on soaring safety at the various gliding clubs in that country. Their studies have shown a decrease of more than 50% in the Swedish soaring accident rate.

The Soaring Safety Foundation "Soaring Site Survey":

A soaring site cannot "fail" a site survey.
It is a review of the soaring site operations, and an update of airspace, new FAR's, safety procedures - like you accomplish in a pilot's Flight Review.
The soaring site must invite the Soaring Safety Foundation to conduct the survey.
A one-day survey of operations and procedures would include a club-member-only Safety Meeting to confidentially discuss club concerns and questions.
In many cases, non-standard procedures are used at a soaring site because
"we always did it that way". Often, pilots at a site wish that procedures could be improved but cannot find a basis to change the "culture" of that soaring operation.

In summary, the SSF "Soaring Site Survey" would:

Provide the people flying at the site a basis for modifying the "safety culture".
Reinforce a commitment to safety.
Refresh CFIG teaching techniques.
Generate a confidential verbal report to the site managers.
Identify your "Good Ideas" that SSF may share with other soaring sites.

Bottom Line: Save lives, prevent injury, reduce damage to aircraft and property, and likely help your soaring operation save money in terms of expenses related to incidents and accidents. A claims-free operation may reduce insurance premiums.

A sample list of items / procedures to be observed is listed below.

Invite the Soaring Safety Foundation to schedule a visit to your soaring site for a

"Soaring Site Survey"

Contact:

BURT COMPTON, Site Survey Program Manager
800-667-9464 e-mail: BURTCOMPTON at aol.com

Soaring Site Survey Sample Items

To understand the "culture" of your operation, we learn about the . . .

Historical Background of the Soaring Site
Management Structure
Accident / Incident History
Airport Environment
Airspace

After the survey of your operation, we will verbally report to you about . . .

Preflight Inspections
Ground Handling
Launch Point Organization
Use of Checklists
Standard Signals and Communications
Takeoff and Landing Patterns
Emergency Scenarios and Options

We observe and talk with the people . . .

Line Crew and Towpilots
Students and Instructors
Pilots of Rental Gliders
Pilots of Private Gliders

. . . these are just a few of the specific items and procedures that we survey, then confidentially provide our observations . . .

Invite us to your soaring site soon, for a "Soaring Site Survey."

We will also conduct a SSF Safety Meeting for club members only, so they may express their views, concerns, and questions in confidence.

Your Cost: free, although a small donation tax exempt donation to the SSF is welcome, and you will need to make arrangements for the evening safety meeting.

Site Survey dates can be scheduled now.

Call toll-free: 1-800-667-9464.

Burt Compton, Program Manager