KAP Risk Assessment

In preparing a KAP project proposal an assessment of the risk involved may be required. The nature, frequency and severity of the risk will vary according to the specifics of the site, the project requirements and the likely exposure of persons and property.
The following table describes the risk associated with the 10 steps of a KAP flight and some suggested methods for quantifying the risk based on the definition of probability, severity and impact.
The scores show which steps are associated with the greatest risk.
The risk of a kite being a distraction hazard to persons operating power tools, vehicles etc should always be considered.
The table was prepared by Wind Watcher with input from the KAP forum.

KAP risk assessment: steps, risk classification and risk reduction

KAP flight levelRiskPROBABILITYSEVERITYIMPACTSCORE Amelioration
1 Flight planningFailure to plan:
not aware of local flight constraints (airports,
hospital/police/news/tourist helicopter traffic, microlights, power lines weather, wind).
5510250Plan ahead;
use Google Earth, and large scale maps to reconnoiter for hazards and safety box options.
Review weather reports for wind direction, wind-speed, real-time rain
and cloud radar.
2 Go/no-go flight decisionFailure to make an objective decision based on facts.
drive to get photos despite known excessive
risk.		5510250Use common sense: if all 10 steps cannot be safely completed with
confidence do not fly. Or resolve high risk items prior to flight.
3 Kite selectionIncorrect kite selection for the conditions will risk:
-excessive line pull (too big a kite for the wind )
-line failure (too light a line in too strong a wind)
-injury to KAPer (rope burns, trapped digit)
-Insufficient lift (undersized kite)
-Instability (over blown or under powered kite)		555125Change kite and line to match conditions.
Test kite stability prior to putting rig
on line Add or remove tail or drogue.
4 Kite check before the flightFailure to inspect and rectify defects: fall due to hidden bar damage-a tear in the seam-failure of the attachment points.555125Be familiar with the kite type and its stress points before flight. Pass the checks as part of the assembly process
5 Kite launchRisk during take-off:
-Crash due to ground turbulence.
-Crash due to too much wind or no wind		1055125Check that the safety box is clear before take-off. Raise the kite quickly to avoid the ground turbulence.
6 Stable flightMissjudgement of high level wind condition.
kite forced outside safety box as line is paid out.		51525Be prepared to abort the flight if a stable flight can only be achieved outside the safety box.
7 Rig setup & attachmentRisk due to multitasking (kite crashes while KAPer is working on rig and camera)51010500Take time to confirm attachment and camera configuration.
Use assistant to tend to kite.
Tether kite during rig attachment.
8 Raise kites at working heightFailure to react to changed flight conditions
-kite crash or loss of the rig due to changed conditions		1055250Fokus auf Drachen-Stabilität und
die Fähigkeit, das Rig zu tragen.
Positioniere Drachen und Rig in der Sicherheitsbox
9 Fly kiteFailure to focus on kite flying :
-Multitasking distraction with attention on photographic results vs. kite flying .
-focus on RC video downlink /camera pointing results in less focus on kite.
-situational awareness narrowed by focus on downwind view (leads to walking backwards and trip
hazard and loss of kite control by KAPer)		555125Fly the kite
-avoid the temptation to take too many
risks to get the photographic shot.
-consider AutoKAP method to reduce
distraction hazard if flying conditions are demanding.
-if walking around with the kite in the
air to get different points of view, keep
eye on the kite and the location of the
safety box
10 RecoveryMultitasking distraction during recovery increases
risk:
-ground turbulence induces kite crash
-drop in wind-speed and /or change in direction during flight may place kite outside safety box.
-loss or damage of equipment.
-abandoned line, dog stake etc. hazard to livestock.		5510250Use a systematic approach to recover the kite line, rig and kite.
-do not wait until flying conditions are so severe that it places kite recovery at
risk.
-walk the site to ensure removal of all KAP gear.


The values used for quantifying the probability, severity and impact of risk in the table above

KAP risk definitions

PROBABILITYSEVERITYIMPACT 
LowLess than 1 out of 300 flightsLowNo impact to humans, property of KAPerLOWFinancial impact is low, no property damage, no injuries
Medium1 out of 11 to 299 flightsMediumPotential for minor property impact (e.g. lost kite, camera, minor injury (e.g rope burns)MediumFinancial impact is medium, minor property damage, minor
injury with no hospitalisation
High1 out of 10
flights		hochDamage to persons or property possibleHighFinancial impact is high, property damage e.g car wreck, major injury requiring hospitalisation
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