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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare helicopter and personnel for airborne rappelling operations
  2. Prepare for airborne rappelling operations
  3. Perform airborne rappelling operations
  4. Respond to airborne rappelling emergencies and abnormal situations

Range Statement

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Airborne rappelling equipment must include one or more of the following items:

attachment devices

eye goggles

fast ropes

head protection

hearing protection

rappelling attachment device

rappelling gloves

rappelling harness

rappelling ropes

Rappelling personnel characteristics to be considered include:

experience of personnel (advanced, beginners)

size

variations in rappelling equipment to be worn

weight

Airborne rappelling operations include one or more of the following variations:

single or multiple rappellers

basic airborne rappelling

advanced airborne rappelling

airborne fast roping

Airborne rappelling supervisor must include one of the following:

airborne team leader

airborne safety officer

aircrewman

chalk commander

drop master

loadmaster

observer

rescue crewman

Helicopter safety hazards must include:

fauna

flora

foreign object damage (FOD)

loss of visual reference

man-made structures

meteorological conditions

other aircraft

ship movements

ship structures and rigging

smoke

terrain

Airborne rappelling emergencies must include one or more of the following:

aircraft emergencies

rappelling equipment/personnel snagged in trees/obstacles

rappelling equipment malfunction

rappelling personnel unable to detach from rope/s

Performance Evidence

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

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

assessing suitability of airborne rappelling location and surrounds

attaching and security checking ropes to airborne rappelling device

briefing crew and airborne rappelling supervisor in accordance with workplace procedures

communicating helicopter safety hazards, wind speed and direction, approach and overshoot paths

communicating rappelling operation progress in accordance with workplace procedures

completing airborne rappelling attachment device pre-flight serviceability checks

completing relevant documentation

conducting deployment checks prior to rope deployment

conducting fitting checks of rappeller personnel protective equipment in accordance with established procedures

conducting serviceability pre-flight checks of helicopter and airborne rappelling attachment device

deploying ropes and rappellers, and recovery/release of ropes in accordance with workplace procedures

determining wind speed and direction

following relevant legislation and workplace procedures

identifying, communicating and diagnosing rappelling emergencies in accordance with workplace procedures

implementing contingency plans

monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule

operating airborne rappelling attachment device

operating and adapting to differences in communications equipment in accordance with established procedures

performing weight calculations

planning own work, predicting consequences and identifying improvements

providing clearance for aircraft departure once all ropes are clear or secured

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

reporting and/or rectifying identified problems, faults or malfunctions promptly, in accordance with established procedures

taking actions in a remedial and/or emergency situation in accordance with aircraft flight manuals, organisational policy and workplace procedures

using communication skills for helicopter control

working collaboratively with others

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, performance criteria and range of conditions and include knowledge of:

airborne rappelling attachment device capabilities and limitations

airborne rappelling emergency procedures

airborne rappelling risk assessment principles

airborne rappelling techniques

airborne rappelling verbal/non-verbal communication procedures

approved operational procedures and processes for different airborne rappelling operations

correct airborne rappelling safety equipment configuration

helicopter approach and overshoot considerations

helicopter capabilities and limitations as defined in aircraft publications/documentation

procedures and protocols for using communication systems during an emergency

relevant regulations, legislation, organisational policy and procedures

typical problems that may occur when conducting airborne rappelling operations, and appropriate actions and solutions

work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) issues applicable to rappelling operations, aircraft and personnel safety.