Ownership of risk

[Cows getting bigger]

Madeira. Firstly they have crew 'qualifying' criteria:

Crew requirements

1. Initial experience To operate at Madeira Airport, the Pilot-in-command must have a minimum of 200 flying hours as Captain on the concerned type of aircraft, before completing the initial training.
2. Recent experience To operate at Madeira Airport, the Pilot-in-command must have performed there, on the last six months:
   • one landing and take-off or,
   • a flight simulator training comprising a landing and take-off on each runway, on a simulated adverse weather condition or,
   • a line training flight to Madeira Airport, comprising a landing and take-off, assisted by a qualified instructor occupying the right-hand seat.
3. The Pilot-in-Command is authorized to operate to Madeira Airport (LPMA) for a period of six months starting from the date of issue.

Minimum training requirements

In order to operate at Madeira Airport, the operator must establish and accomplish beforehand a training program concerning the type of aircraft to be used. This training, if performed on local flights, must include at least, landings and take-off by day and night in both directions, emphasising:

1. the TKOF flight path to runway 23,
2. the TKOF flight path to runway 05,
3. the balked landing (go-around initiated in landing configuration from very low height) on both directions,
4. the let down and approach to both runways,
5. the operation effect on runway slope and dimensions and associated safety margins.

If the flight is to be performed in a flight simulator, the following procedures must be included in the training program, for each runway:

1. take-off with engine failure after V1,
2. relight after engine failure,
3. VOR approach,
4. balked landing and go-around,
5. visual approach,
6. landing,
7. weather conditions: wind - the maximums as indicated in paragraph 2.3. Severe turbulence, Windshear and up and down drafts, must be included in the different approaches,
8. one landing at night must be executed for each runway.

Line training

No line training is required if the flight simulator used is level D. If level C flight simulator is used, line training must be performed with one landing and take-off in Madeira Airport, with an instructor occupying the right-hand seat.

They then have very specific wind criteria:

Wind Limitations

1. When landing

1. Maximum of two minutes mean Wind Speed Values indicated by the Touchdown anemometer:

• In the sector 300° to 010° MAG (clockwise) - 15KT, with the maximum Wind Gust of 25KT
• In the sector 020° to 040° MAG (clockwise) - 20KT, with the maximum Wind Gust of 30KT
• In the sector 120° to 190° MAG (clockwise), and if Runway in use is 05 - 20KT with a maximum Wind Gust of 30KT, and if Runway in use is 23 - 15KT, subject also to maximum Wind Gust of 25KT as indicated by MID Anemometer.

2. Maximum of two minutes mean Wind Speed Values,including Gust indicated by the MID or ROSÁRIO Anemometers

• In the Sector 200° to 230° MAG (clockwise) - 25KT.

b. When Taking-off

• 1. Maximum of two minutes mean Wind Speed Values indicated by the MID anemometer:

• In the sector 300° to 010° MAG (clockwise) - 20KT with no Gust limitations
• In the sector 020° to 040° MAG (clockwise) - 25KT with no Gust limitations
• In the sector 120° to 190° MAG (clockwise) and if Runway in use is 05 - 25KT with no Gust limitations, and if Runway in use is 23 - 20KT, also with no Gust limitations

NOTE: The limitations above do not supersede any Operators or Aircraft Operations Manual (AOM) limitations if these are more restrictive

Having operated in MPA (albeit the late 80s) and more recently Madeira and the Azores (you want to try Horta or San Jorge with a stonking Northerly!), I'm pretty confident that MPA is a relative walk in the park. I think the real issue is the (non) education of the relatively new military beast, the DDH. Now that people have absolute clarity regarding their personal responsibilities, we're seeing a weakness in teaching and understanding of Risk Management. Consequently, DDHs may be (are?) being overly risk averse. Obviously a very difficult subject but it is my perception that Total Safety has just left kindergarten for Reception and there's still some way to go.