NEW DESTINATION RISK ASSESSMENT....

Acknowledgements: SKYbrary/Eurocontrol

(Ed.Note: The following is extracted & adapted from the full checklist with a view to being of use to GA pilots)

Introduction

This Checklist is intended to enable prior identification of the sources of possible operational risks to promote consideration of measures for their mitigation. Content assumes the ‘worst case’ scenario, so some may well be deemed unnecessary for a particular assessment to be sufficient.

Airport

·       Make a general assessment covering airside WiP notification, foreign object debris control, airport signage/lighting/surface marking, including the taxiway centreline.

·       Establish that the runway and taxiway surface structures and dimensions are sufficient for your aircraft type

·       Review Aircraft ground handling contractor facilities with reference to the ramp handling of aircraft

·       Review the airside procedures for Passenger handling

·       Consider arrangements for aircraft maintenance in case of need

·       Review fuel supply arrangements and any possible fuel quality issues

·       If appropriate, establish or review arrangements for aircraft ground de/anti icing

·       Review Fire & Rescue capability in relation to your aircraft type

·       Establish if there is any special degree of Bird Strike (or other wildlife) hazard, including seasonality, especially in coastal sites, urban areas with poorly controlled refuse tipping

·       Review ATC Ground movement practices, including directed taxi routing or general guidance procedures.

·       Review ATC runway use - is more than one active runway designated at any one time? If so, review any intersecting runway or runway crossing issues

·       Runway undershoot or over-run issues - establish and consider if specific flight crew awareness is warranted

·       Runway Surface safety - profile issues (linear and transverse); braking action/friction performance when wet

·       Weather Record - Wind Velocity, Visibility, Temperature range and prevalence of sudden short-duration heavy precipitation

Flight Procedures and Local Flying Area

• Review Terrain within 25nm

• *Assess Aerodrome Operating Minima . Check that any noise abatement requirements are included in procedures .

• *If any (or even all) approaches will need to terminate with a visual final segment, review all aspects of such procedures carefully, including the day/night case and minimum in-flight visibility (IFV).

• *Based upon all the above and on relevant determinations relating to aircraft performance, decide whether it is appropriate to ‘fly’ simulator procedures to elicit any operational issues which might not otherwise be apparent.

• Establish the availability of ATC ‘safety nets’ such as Short Term Conflict Alert (STCA), Minimum Safe Altitude Warning (MSAW) and Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System

En Route

• Check if operations outside controlled airspace will be involved and if so, review the implications

• Review the balance of expected ATC service between procedural and radar control

• Review risks of military activity in the general vicinity of transit airspace which might be prejudicial to the safety of operations

Aircraft Performance

• *Calculate the extremes of the aircraft performance envelope in relation to aircraft weight, prevailing temperature and obstacles/terrain

• *Assess departure and missed approach procedures for terrain clearance in both normal and engine out operations

• *Review the potential for Payload/Range issues given the sector(s) intended and any restrictions to aircraft loading which might be required routinely or tactically

Final Determination

• Ensure that all relevant current Notice To Airmen and weather information can be made available to flight crew pre-flight and/or in flight

FLY SAFE!