CQUniversity's Geoff Dell has been entrusted with the role as 'head of safety' for the largest airshow in the Southern Hemisphere, the Australian International Airshow scheduled for Avalon Airport near Geelong on March 1-3.

Associate Professor Dell will have plenty to consider as, while 'Avalon' is only the fifth largest airshow in the world, it has the largest flying display, including 6.5 hours of constant flying on each of the three public days. The Paris and Farnborough airshows each have five hours of flying a day.

Assoc Prof Geoff Dell

Avalon 2013 is also unique in that it is the first time the United States Air Force Lockheed Martin F22 Raptor will be flown in public display outside of the United States.

Over 180 different aircraft types will be displayed in the ground display, ranging from the RAAF Boeing C17 Globemaster (a behemoth with 52m wing span, 53m in length and weighing 265 tonnes when fully loaded) and the aged but ever popular USAF Boeing B52 Strategic Bomber, at one end of the spectrum, down to ultra light aircraft such as powered paragliders which the pilots effectively 'strap' to their back and weigh in under 800kg, including the pilot.

Assoc Prof Dell says the safety effort includes real-time surveillance of the display flying and all the operational aircraft movements, aircraft arrivals, departures and parking, safety of the 200,000 odd members of the public and myriad food vendors, display stands with over 3000 exhibitors and OHS support for 1500-plus airshow staff and volunteers.

An image from the Airshow website

"Preparations began in earnest last June. The on-site build started in December to create all the facilities, including establishment of two control towers as well as a complete second aerodrome, known as Avalon East, with grass runways, taxiways and light aircraft parking facilities in the farmland adjacent to Avalon Airport. Avalon East is set up so that people can fly their light aircraft in to attend the show," he says.

"I report to the airshow organisers Airshows Downunder. At Avalon, the entire safety team reports to the CEO through the Head of Safety role. The CEO and I head a team of 10 safety professionals with backgrounds and experience in aviation safety, air safety investigation, occupational health and safety, fire safety, food safety and public safety.

"Four OHS officers have been on site since January for the build of the facilities. All 11 of us will be active from the week before the show, through the trade and public days of show week and the week after. The OHS officers will remain until the dismantle is complete in mid May."

Dr Dell will draw on his leadership as an academic specialising in safety. He's also been pivotal in establishing CQUniversity's accident investigation and accident forensics programs.