Aviation Management - Aerodromes Operations and the Licensing Requirements - Coursework Example

Running Header: Aviation Management Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code & Name: Date of Submission: Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 2 Aerodromes Operations and the Licensing Requirements 3 Operations of Aerodromes 3 License Requirements 4 Rescue and Fire fighting service (RFFS) 4 RFFS’s Operational Objective 5 Task Resource Analysis (TRA) 6 Airplane Accident Rescue 6 Standards for the Competence in ARFS and local authority’s fire and rescue 7 Competence Training 8 Integrated Personal Development System (IPDS) 8 Fire and Rescue Services Authorities and IPDS 9 CAA’s Inspection 10 Role Maps 10 Aviation Fuel Management 11 Conclusion 12 Introduction Safety of the staffs, customers, and properties has become a concern for every organization. They have been increased concern on the need to train and adopt strategic measures towards fire prevention and of safety through fire risks reduction. Aviation industry has also improved its safety measures to the staff as well as its properties. Fire and rescue services have put in place strategic ways of ensuring it reduces fire risks that may occur or take place. This is through following the set strategies and rules by CAA and other regulatory bodies in Aviation industry. Therefore, the collaboration between the local fire and rescue services authority and Aviation fire and rescue services will enhance the fire safety within the local airport and the community as well as illustrated by National Fire Protection Association (2002). The report will analyze how the sharing of the information between fire and rescue services as well as combination of the services will increase the knowledge and skills in the local airport. It will identify various regulatory measures that have been in place by the aviation rescue and fire services as an effort to reduce the fire risks. The report will also identify the way international standards and recommendations relate to aviation fire and rescue services towards the fire and safety. Such include CAA and AAIB. The report will also analyze the effectiveness of training and developing personnel within the aviation sector. It will also evaluate how the sharing of training facilities and knowledge will benefit the staff. The training will ensure that there is cross sharing of the knowledge among the fire crews in both aviation and fire services authority. The report will also analyze the system appropriateness used to assess the Aviation Fire & Rescue service personnel performance. The report will also assess the storage, use and transport arrangements for the fuel within the airport cartilage. It will analyze the need to manage properly the fuel as well preventing contamination of fuel. Aerodromes Operations and the Licensing Requirements Operations of Aerodromes Civil Aviation Authority (2011, CAP 168) argues that aerodrome is an area on water or land with equipments, installations and buildings included, that is anticipated to be utilized for partial or wholly arrival, departure and surface movement of an aircraft. They are various terms that are used to illustrate several areas within an aerodrome; such include Aerodrome elevation that is highest point elevation of the area of landing. Apron is a defined area on a land aerodrome that is provided for aircraft stationing where embarkation and disembarkation of passengers takes place as illustrated by National Fire Protection Association (2002). The areas for landing and taking off should be very clear for all aircrafts as an appropriate measure of reducing the accidents that might occur. License Requirements According to the CAA, the physical conditions on the apron, in the environs, and the maneuvering area of the aerodrome must meet the acceptable standards and an effective safety management system. The facilities and scales of equipments that used and provided for flying activities must meet the expected tasks or roles adequately as per CAA requirements as argued by Civil Aviation Authority (2011, CAP 168). Inspection officers from CAA usually visit the aerodrome to determine the extent to which it meets the required licensing requirements. They asses the requirements compliance and audit safety management while assessing the people’s responsible for safety competence as argued by Civil Aviation Authority (2011, CAP 168). Rescue and Fire fighting service (RFFS) All license holders must provide appropriate Rescue and Fire Fighting service (RFFS) to their aerodrome. This is mandatory according to condition 2 within the public use and ordinary aerodrome licences as argued by Civil Aviation Authority (2011, CAP 168). The protection level provided within the aerodrome for fire fighting and rescue should be equal to the category of aerodrome according to the table shown below. Figure 1 Aerodrome category for rescue and fire fighting The protection levels should not be less than the highest category of aeroplane intended to use the aerodrome regardless of the times of reduced activities. Changes in protection levels should be notified to the appropriate air traffic services units as well as to aeronautical units. The factors that determines an effective rescue in survivable aircraft accident include equipments effectiveness, the speed at which facilities and personnel planned for fire fighting and rescue operate, and the training received by the personnel involved as argued by Turner Publishing Company (2000). RFFS’s Operational Objective The RFFS’s operational objective is to respond quickly to any aircraft accident in order to create a maximum opportunity towards life saving. However, this depends on the aerodrome size, fire station location, and availability of personnel at any moment, and disposition of vehicles as illustrated by Harry, Erwin & National Fire Protection Association (1999). The RFFS also targets to respond within a time not exceeding three minutes within operational runway at an optimum visibility and surface situations. Task Resource Analysis (TRA) The number of personnel needed to provide rescue is determined by the types of aircrafts that are using the aerodrome. A Task Resource Analysis (TRA) should be completed in order to identify the number of personnel needed for rescue and fire fighting personnel. They are some factors considered by rescue and fire services as well as AAIB when taking into consideration the safety factors. They include standard operating procedures, cell handling, alerting system, communications, human factors, vehicle performance, competent staff, effective incident command and leadership, clear route, visibility and conditions of surface, training area position for making a response, fire station area position among other aspects as argued by Civil Aviation Authority (2011, CAP 168). It is the role of AAIB to make sure that in case of worst-case scenarios, an effective task analysis should be carried out in ensuring that there is efficient mobilization, fire fighting, scene management, extinguishment and suppression, deployment to scene, fire fighting, and replenishment of extinguishing agents. Airplane Accident Rescue AAIB plays a great role in situations when accidents occurs or takes place. Effective facilities and trained rescue and fire fighting staff should be mobilized immediately towards the scene. The procedure includes, immediately after a crash, the control tower should contact the Fire and rescue services team immediately with all the necessary information such as type of aircraft, location and nature of the crash, types of aircraft, number of people who had boarded the plane and types of cargoes that were in the plane including explosives, and toxic. The rescue and fire services should give that information to the responding crews. The fire crews should move to the predetermined positions along side but clear from the designated runway. After notifying all personnel, regarding the emergency, the fire and rescue services notifies the control tower. After FCC is cleared from the tower, the FCC informs the fire-fighting units to proceed with other appropriate actions. The service fire officers should alert the designated medical officers as well as emergency personnel. The fire chief assumes the command of the incident and other operations immediately he gets into the scene. Standards for the Competence in ARFS and local authority’s fire and rescue Like fire and rescue services authorities, fire fighters are at Aviation rescue and fire services are thoroughly trained on the various aspects that entail fire safety aspects. Training for competence is a way whereby the training is defined in terms of outcomes that can be obtained with an environment that is quality assured. Fire fighters at the aviation sectors are also equipped with all materials necessary for any fire fighting operations or airplane crash or accident. Aerodrome management has a policy that fully acknowledges training for competence as its strategy’s integral part. The training at aviation rescue and fire services acknowledges that the main objective of competence training is to develop and use the systems of training and assessment that contributes to effective services delivering. It also assists in reducing risks towards the organization, staff, community as well as facilities within the boundaries the aerodrome serves. The CAA, when licensing the aerodrome usually agrees upon training methods as illustrated by Civil Aviation Authority (2004, CAP 699). Both the aviation and fire rescue services have a role of saving and preserving life of those endangered at the incident of accident. They also have a role of mobilizing resources towards responding to emergency. They should also implements action towards resolving the operational incidents. They also contribute towards solutions of safety in order to minimize risks to the community. Competence Training Training for competence at aerodrome is an important part of the safe person concept. Training for competence usually gives a systematic way of managing as well as organizing the development, delivery and assessment of the training given by the holder of the license. All RFFS personnel should acquire and maintain competence towards performing their roles in an effective way as illustrated by Civil Aviation Authority (2004, CAP 699). The learning and training programmes includes first and recurrent instruction in at least the following areas such as aircraft familiarization, RFFS personnel safety, aircraft evacuation and fire fighting operations. Others include airport familiarization, human performance including co-ordination of teams, low visibility operations, aerodrome emergency plan, dangerous goods, and extinguishing agents. Integrated Personal Development System (IPDS) In fire and rescue services, training is provided to all the rescuers and firefighters based on the required and existing national standards. The Integrated Personal Development System (IPDS) is a new approach that is used for training as well as developing fire fighters within fire authorities. It is a framework or system that when incorporated into the corporation daily work promotes and maintains organizational and personal development. It is usually based on the national standards as well as a framework of competence and skills. It is applicable to all the employees regardless of the role and how they are employed. Training is usually dependent on the individual needs within the suitable time. It follows the rule that regardless of the roles, there is need to get skills as well as attain competency at those skills as well as ensure the competency level is maintained while developing new skills. Fire and Rescue Services Authorities and IPDS Fire and rescue services authorities have training colleges for enhancing knowledge and competence among the fire fighters. This is towards equipping the fire fighters with the knowledge that they require. IPDS introduces a multi-level entry where people can get into the fire and rescue services at any appropriate level according to experience and qualification. Every fire and rescue service authority in UK has put in place effective training & emergency management such as in London fire and rescue services. Risk and hazard assessment are part of the training in both fire services. The similarity of the training provided is crucial towards a collaborative training because it can increase the knowledge and skills towards fire fighting in the society as argued by Arthur (2003). Combined training can be an efficient way of ensuring the competent training and related knowledge is passed on to the required people. However, they are some aspects that are not similar in both training processes that need to be collaborated towards increasing knowledge levels among the fire fighters. At the aerodrome, there is airport fire officer who is overall in charge of the fire events that may arise while in fire and rescue services authorities have chief fire officer. Just like aviation rescue and fire services, fire and rescue services authority has facilities necessary for fire fighting. At both fire and rescue services, they are nominated trained and competent persons who are supposed to carry out the training processes. The fire services have various fire extinguishing facilities that assists in putting off the fire including fire extinguishers and other necessary facilities. CAA’s Inspection CAA carries out assessments to determine the existing performance of Aviation based Fire & Rescue services. This is undertaken in order to ensure that fire safety training and competence among the fire services crews are up to the required standards. Aviation FRS ensures that it CAA inspectors are satisfied by their safety measures put in place as illustrated by Civil Aviation Authority (2004, CAP 699). CAA is also responsible for the functionality of the airplane’s other moving parts, this is towards ensuring they are up to the standards. This ensures that there is reduced number of accidents or fire related risks due to mechanical failures of the airplanes. Role Maps Rescue and fire fighting service personnel at UK have standards for the competence especially in the licensed aerodromes. These are usually role maps or units that consist of functions collection identified and common to a specific group. Role-maps present a tool against which the assessment can be carried out on the performance as well as measured. This towards planning for the development stages that includes learning and development, competence achievement, continuous professional development (CPD) and competence maintenance as argued by Arthur (2003). Aviation Fuel Management According to CAP 748, fuel is used in aircrafts. Fuelling involves both de-fueling and fueling within the fuelling zone. Fueling zone for airplanes usually qualifies as zone 1 or zone 0 within the dangerous substances as well as explosive atmosphere regulations. In most instances, errors and negligence occurring when receiving, storing and handling the fuel usually endangers an aircraft as well as lives of those boarding the plane. Licenses for aerodromes with fuel storage facilities within the ANO (Air Navigation Order) 2000 article 103 to make sure that the process of fuel receiving, storage, management, and distribution are fit for airplanes. Fuel installation managers and licensees must be familiar with ANO requirements and specifically Articles 112, 103, and 14 as argued by Civil Aviation Authority (2004, CAP 748). There is need for the licensees to take into consideration fire risk related with fuel handling including sprays, vapor, emissions, or fuel leaks. They should also look at the possibility of fuel quality becoming contaminated by solid particles or liquids as argued by Civil Aviation Authority (2004, CAP 748). Fuel contaminations even at its lowest levels can lead to a permanent damage of the engine, which can lead to fatal accidents. Fuel contamination has in some instances been associated with airplanes accidents of which are fatal. They should also consider the installations of fuel, equipments for storage, time passage, and unsuitable procedures for handling. Licensees should also ensure that there are no vapors from the aircrafts that are released when de-fuelling and fueling. This is because of high explosive nature of the airplane fuel that cause fire with just little ignition as illustrated by Alexander & Clarence (2004). Procedures for fuel management should include fuel quality assessment, taking and storage of fuel samples, fuel storage, and quality maintenance, onwards fuel distribution, safe delivery into aircraft of fuel fit, prevention of incident, and management of incident. Others aspects to consider include minimizing and preventing discharges from electronics when handling the fuel, and fuel handling during extreme weather conditions such as storms, and undertaking appropriate actions when fuel is found to be contaminated as argued by Civil Aviation Authority (2004, CAP 748). Fuel facilities and installations should be maintained and cleaned regularly and periodically. Conclusion In conclusion, fire and rescue services as well as Aviation Fire & Rescue services should ensure the risks that may arise as a result of fire are reduced. There is need for a strong collaboration between the Aviation Fire AND Rescue services and local fire and rescue services authorities in terms of training and development of personnel. This will ensure that they obtain appropriate knowledge and skills towards fire fighting. Aviation Fire & Rescue Services ensures that the safety of their operations against fire is the first priority. Furthermore, aerodromes are supposed to meet certain requirements in order for them to be given license of operation by CAA. Appropriate measures should be undertaken in case of any accident that may occur in order to reduce the damages and loss of life. Aviation Fire rescue services authority trains their fire crews towards ensuring they are competence enough to undertake fire-fighting measures. The training of both fire rescue and services authorities is to ensure that live are saved and occurrence of fire related risks are reduced. Aviation FRS under carries a major exercise after two years to ensure that CAA is satisfied by its requirements. Aviation fuel should be managed properly from its delivery, storage and during fueling. This is due to high risks that are associated with contaminations that can cause fatal accidents in aircrafts. References Alexander, T & Clarence, C 2004, Commercial aviation safety, Mc-Graw-Hill Professional, New York. Arthur, E 2003, Organizing for Fire and Rescue Services, Jones & Bartlett Learning, London. Civil Aviation Authority 2004, CAP 699 Standards for the Competence of Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (RFFS) Personnel, viewed 19 April 2011, http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP699.PDF Civil Aviation Authority 2004, CAP 748 Aircraft Fuelling and Fuel Installation Management, viewed 19 April 2011, http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/1206.pdf Civil Aviation Authority 2011, CAP 168: Licensing of Aerodromes, viewed 19 April 2011, http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP168.PDF Harry, R., Erwin, R & National Fire Protection Association 1999, Management in the Fire Service, Jones & Barlett Learning, London. National Fire Protection Association 2002, National fire codes, Volumes 13, National Fire Protection Association, London. Turner Publishing Company 2000, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Turner Publishing Company, California. Read More