Task 11.1 - Risk assessment - A practical planning exercise
Goals:
Apply principles of risk understanding and mitigation, as well as the concepts of ground risk and air risk in a realistic planning context.
Activity:
Scenario building:
As a group, choose a real or fictional location (e.g. a local park, schoolyard or small town area) where a drone operation can be conducted (such as aerial photography for an event, building inspection or environmental mapping). Use a simple map - either drawn, printed from the web, or represented by a physical model (like cardboard).
As a group, choose a real or fictional location (e.g. a local park, schoolyard or small town area) where a drone operation can be conducted (such as aerial photography for an event, building inspection or environmental mapping). Use a simple map - either drawn, printed from the web, or represented by a physical model (like cardboard).
Identify hazards and assess risk:
Map possible hazards in the selected scenario.
Map possible hazards in the selected scenario.
- For slope risk: Consider people (e.g. passers-by, bystanders, residents), property (buildings, vehicles), animals or the environment. Discuss how the area can be categorized (e.g. sparsely populated, densely populated, crowded, controlled).
- For air risk: Consider other air traffic (manned aviation, other drones), birds, or physical obstacles in the airspace.
- For each hazard: Consider the probability (how often it might happen) and the consequence (the seriousness if it happens). Remember: risk = probability × consequence.
Develop risk mitigation strategies:
- How can you reduce the likelihood of incidents? Examples: fly early in the morning, cordon off the area, technical check of the drone, ensure that the pilot is competent.
- How to reduce the consequences if something goes wrong? Examples: using a lighter drone, flying lower and slower, using a parachute.
- Also consider overall measures such as geofencing or collision avoidance systems.
Define operation volume:
Use markers or small objects on the map to mark:
Use markers or small objects on the map to mark:
- Flight area
- Contingency area
- Buffer zone
Explain why each zone is the size and shape it is - in terms of speed, reaction time and intruder protection.
Simple aids:
Large paper or cardboard, markers, small objects (coins, erasers) that represent drones, dangers and people, possibly a printed map.
Large paper or cardboard, markers, small objects (coins, erasers) that represent drones, dangers and people, possibly a printed map.