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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Lift off to hover and perform hover checks
  2. Aircraft performance is calculated for flight
  3. Pre-take-off checks are performed
  4. Flight controls are set to prepare for lift-off to hover
  5. Flight and power controls are used to lift helicopter off the surface to a stable hover at appropriate height for helicopter while controlling heading
  6. Wind effect is anticipated and accounted for with appropriate control inputs to maintain position over nominated hover point
  7. Awareness of adverse effects of rotor downwash on surrounding aircraft, people, objects and environment is applied
  8. Flight control functions, centre of gravity and hover power checks are performed
  9. Hover taxi manoeuvre is commenced, maintained and stopped at a constant and safe hover height, while maintaining engine power and rotor speed (RRPM) within limits
  10. Coordinated corrective action is used to counter wind effects
  11. Hover helicopter in cross and tail winds
  12. Helicopter is maintained in hovering flight remaining over a nominated hover point at a nominated height and heading in cross and tail winds
  13. Coordinated corrective action is used to maintain a constant rate of turn and to counter wind effects
  14. Perform turns around mast
  15. Helicopter is turned around the mast while maintaining a constant height and specified rate of turn over nominated hover point
  16. Turn is completed on nominated heading
  17. Controlled corrective action is used to control effects of wind gusts
  18. Helicopter is maintained clear of obstructions
  19. Lookout is maintained using a systematic scan technique at a rate determined by traffic density, visibility, obstructions and terrain
  20. RPM is managed within limits during turn
  21. Perform turns around nose and tail
  22. Helicopter is turned around nominated point on or forward of helicopter nose while maintaining a constant height and specified rate of movement around point
  23. Helicopter is turned around nominated point on or aft of helicopter tail while maintaining a constant height and specified rate of movement around point
  24. Controlled corrective action is taken to counter effects of wind gusts
  25. Helicopter is maintained clear of obstructions during turning manoeuvres
  26. Turns in a specified direction are commenced and stopped at a specified heading
  27. Ground track is maintained at a constant distance from nominated point
  28. Anti-torque pedals are used to ensure helicopter nose or tail is pointed at nominated turning point
  29. Perform sidewards and backwards flight
  30. Helicopter is transitioned from static hover to sideways and rearward flight
  31. Lookout is maintained in direction of flight using a systematic scan technique at a rate determined by traffic density, visibility, obstructions and terrain
  32. Rearward movement is only conducted after visually checking behind helicopter, and height is adjusted as required
  33. Helicopter directional control is maintained and manoeuvred clear of obstructions during sidewards and backwards flight manoeuvres
  34. Rate of movement of helicopter is maintained at a safe speed
  35. Sideways and rearward flight is terminated over nominated hover point
  36. Land from the hover
  37. Pre-landing checks are completed as required
  38. Helicopter is lowered onto nominated point from hovering flight without adverse longitudinal, lateral, yawing or rolling movements
  39. Helicopter stability on landing gear is ensured prior to fully lowering collective
  40. After-landing checks are performed
  41. Manage a mishandled landing
  42. Appropriate action is taken to identify when an adverse landing situation is developing
  43. Appropriate action is taken to either land aircraft or discontinue landing and return to hover safely
  44. Manage a mishandled lift off
  45. Appropriate action is taken to identify when an adverse lift off situation is developing
  46. Appropriate action is taken to discontinue lift off and return to ground safely

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

adapting to differences in equipment and operating environment in accordance with standard operating procedures

applying precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards

applying relevant helicopter aeronautical knowledge

applying relevant legislation and workplace procedures

communicating effectively with others

completing relevant documentation

identifying and correctly using relevant equipment

implementing contingency plans

implementing work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures and relevant regulations

interpreting and following operational instructions and prioritising work

modifying activities depending on workplace contingencies, situations and environments

monitoring and anticipating operational problems and hazards and taking appropriate action

monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule

operating electronic communications equipment to required protocol

reading, interpreting and following relevant regulations, instructions, procedures, information and signs

reporting and/or rectifying identified problems promptly, in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

selecting and using relevant controls/equipment including throttle, rotor controls, anti-torque pedals and collective and cyclic pitch controls

selecting and using required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and WHS/OHS standards

setting local or area barometric pressure adjusted for sea level (QNH) at appropriate stages of flight

solving problems when controlling a helicopter in hovering flight

using instruments to monitor helicopter performance

working collaboratively with others when controlling helicopter in hovering flight

working systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment.


Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

aerodrome and helicopter landing site markings

aircraft operational limitations

application of a height/velocity graph

calculation of aircraft performance for flight

CASR Part 61 Manual of Standards Schedule 3 Aeronautical Knowledge relevant to helicopter operations

dynamic rollover

effect of wind on rotor blade control (blade sailing)

effects of rotor wash

ground resonance

hazards and risks when controlling a helicopter in hovering flight and precautions for controlling the risks

helicopter braking and steering systems

helicopter hovering procedures

hover checks

how to use of fire extinguisher system fitted to helicopter being used

landing a helicopter

light and marshalling signals

local air traffic control procedures

local noise abatement procedures and curfews

maintaining hovering flight in a range of operational conditions

making a transition from static hover to sideways and rearward flight

managing a mishandled landing

managing a mishandled lift off

operating on different surfaces, including sealed and unsealed surfaces

operational and start limitations of typical helicopters

pre-take-off checks

recirculation

relevant helicopter/equipment characteristics

relevant sections of aircraft flight manual (AFM)/pilot’s operating handbook (POH)

relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Civil Aviation Orders

relevant WHS/OHS and environmental procedures and regulations

turning a helicopter around the mast.