SSF Site Surveys

The Soaring Safety Foundation "SITE SURVEY" Program

Based on the Swedish Soaring Federation Site Safety Reviews (that are mandatory in that country for a club to maintain certification), their safety reviews resulted in a decrease in the soaring accident rate in Sweden by more than 50%, a significant improvement in safety.

In the USA, the Soaring Safety Foundation developed a similar "Site Survey" program in 2002. SSF has conducted 39 confidential Site Surveys (so far) by invitation.

	It is a free, confidential one-day survey of operations and procedures at the soaring site. We report ONLY to you.
	Includes a private Safety Meeting with recommendations on site operation, safety issues & updates on SSF training procedures.
	Your soaring site or club must invite the Soaring Safety Foundation to conduct the survey. See our contact information below.

Why would your soaring club request a Site Survey? In many cases, non-standard procedures are used at a soaring site because "we always did it that way". Often, some pilots wish that procedures could be improved but cannot find a basis to change the "culture" of their soaring operation. As an independent observer, the SSF can watch, listen and make suggestions. Like a Pilot's Flight Review, a Soaring Site cannot "fail" a SSF Site Survey.

To understand the culture of your operation, we learn about the . . .

	Historical Background of the Soaring Site
	Management Structure
	Accident / Incident History
	Airport Environment
	Airspace

After the survey of your operation, we will report only to you about . . .

	Preflight Inspections
	Ground Handling
	Launch Point Organization
	Use of Checklists
	Standard Signals and Communications
	Takeoff and Landing Patterns
	Emergency Scenarios and Options

We observe and talk with the people . . .

	Line Crew and Towpilots
	Students and Instructors
	Pilots of the Club or Rental Gliders
	Pilots of Privately Owned Gliders

. . . these are a few of the specific items and procedures that we survey, and discuss our observations only with you.

In summary, your Soaring Safety Foundation "Site Survey" would:

Provide you a basis for modifying the "safety culture".

Reinforce your commitment to safety.

Refresh CFIG teaching techniques.

Generate a confidential verbal report of our evaluation of your operations.

Identify your "Good Ideas" that SSF could share with other soaring sites.

Perhaps maintain your "insurability" in the aviation insurance market.

Bottom Line: Save lives, prevent injury, reduce damage to aircraft and likely help your soaring operation save money in terms of costs related to incidents and accidents.

Invite the SSF to your soaring site for a day. That evening we will also conduct a closed-door, confidential Safety Meeting for club members only - a round-table discussion of concerns at your site, with an emphasis on solutions.

Remember, all SSF Site Surveys are free and absolutely confidential.

Email BURT COMPTON, Soaring Safety Foundation Trustee and SSF Site Survey Program Manager to discuss scheduling a visit during your soaring season.

Click here for more information about the Soaring Safety Foundation