Health and Safety
Visitor Induction
Users visiting FAAM who wish to work partially unescorted at the ground facility will be asked to attend a short facility induction describing safe working practices. This is updated regularly via the FAAM safety guide.
We encourage visitors to view our up-to-date induction presentation, and read through our safety guide.
Instrument Paperwork
Instrument paperwork is controlled by Avalon Aero (The company of engineers who maintain the aircraft) who require that the aircraft conforms to air-worthiness standards.
This instrument paperwork must be completed when any scientific equipment is added, moved, disturbed or removed from the aircraft. For users that are expecting to undertake this work the process will be explained by Avalon Aero before you will be able to start work.
To contact Avalon Aero you can e-mail araengineers@avalonaero.co.uk
Tool Control Procedures
FAAM provides toolkits to use on board the aircraft and must be used in accordance to the tool control procedures (Navigate from FAAM.ac.uk > Visiting Us > Health and Safety > Tool Control Procedures) as a requirement for safely working airside.
Personal toolkits must not be brought airside unless cleared by Avalon Areo.
If you mislpace a tool or drop anything you cannot then find you must let an Avalon engineer know as soon as possible
Airside Safety
To fly on the FAAM aircraft you will have to be in possession of an Airtask pass. The application process is the same for everybody (Met Office, University etc.). The pass is valid for up to three years from issue. You may also require a Cranfield Airport Airside Access ID pass (valid for two years) to access the apron/aircraft without escort.
For up to date details on applying for airside and airtask passes please see this page of our website (Navigate from FAAM.ac.uk > Visiting Us > Science Flyers > Procedures for obtaining this pass)
To obtain these passes you will be presented with all the required information to work airside safely. A ramp safety briefing is also available here (Navigate from FAAM.ac.uk > Visiting FAAM > Health and Safety > Ramp Safety) A member of FAAM staff will also always be available airside to help if you are unsure of anything after acquiring these passes.
To contact about Airtask passes you can e-mail ara.ops@airtask.com
Fitness to Fly
All science crew should take seriously the primary responsibility that they have, not least to themselves, in considering whether they are individually fit to fly.
Illness, the effects of alcohol, medicines or psychoactive substances, tiredness, injury or other factors may affect a crewmember so as to compromise the science project being undertaken, and potentially also compromise the health of the individual, their safety or that of those around them.
FAAM and Airtask will therefore expect that, as with the aircrew, science crew only present themselves for duty when they are fit to fly, no matter what the circumstances. Both organisations also reserve the right to deny staff access to board the aircraft if they are concerned about an individual’s fitness to fly.
If as a member of FAAM science crew you feel another member of the crew may not be fit to fly, please speak to either Airtask or FAAM staff.
Colds or ear infection which result in difficulty in clearing the ears. Any inability to equalise pressure across the sinus and eardrum can result in severe discomfort and possible long-term damage. Staff should not fly.
More generally, communicating even a relatively minor illness to other science crew can seriously compromise science projects, especially those conducted with limited staff or time available such as projects away from FAAM’s normal home base. Please consider whether there is a risk of this before reporting as fit.
If you become ill during a flight, please report this to the cabin crew. The health of all crew and science crew is the highest of all priorities.