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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan rappelling operations
2. Tasking requirements are identified, including operational variations
3. Crew and equipment required to ensure safe achievement of task are determined
4. Helicopter performance data is interpreted and calculated to ensure suitability of aircraft for rappelling operations
5. Transit, rappelling operation communications and recovery is planned in accordance with workplace procedures
6. Operations at rappelling site including obstructions, terrain and any factors that may adversely affect deployment, are planned
7. Abnormal and emergency rappelling situation contingency procedures are planned
8. Conduct pre-flight briefings
9. Rappelling operational requirements are briefed and confirmed
10. Location, terrain features (sea state as applicable) and forecast weather conditions are obtained and confirmed
11. Timings, route/s, airspeeds and altitudes are confirmed
12. Relevant personnel are briefed about pilot, crew and rappelling personnel responsibilities and communication procedures
13. Abnormal and emergency rappelling situation contingency procedures are briefed
14. Operate helicopter
15. Adequacy of hover power margin and control limits to perform rappelling operations is checked and maintained
16. Site inspection, approach and hover heading are determined in accordance with operational requirements
17. Descent and approach are controlled to terminate over rappelling site
18. Control is applied to helicopter to maintain position over rappelling site
19. Obstacle clearances to obstructions, constructions and terrain are maintained during deployment and/or retrieval operation
20. Effective communications with crew and relevant personnel are maintained during operation
21. Safety and security of passengers and/or cargo is managed
22. Rappelling ropes are recovered and/or detached, and site is vacated in accordance with workplace procedures
23. Manage abnormal and emergency situations
24. Helicopter control is maintained
25. Abnormal and/or emergency situations are identified and managed
26. Rappelling equipment/personnel are safely jettisoned (as required) when flight safety or hover stability is compromised
27. Conduct post-flight briefings
28. Operating procedures and flight outcomes are reviewed and analysed
29. Effectiveness, efficiency and performance of equipment is analysed and reported
30. Inspection, servicing and stowage of rappelling equipment is organised/confirmed

Range Statement

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.
Airborne rappelling operations includes one or more of the following variations:	single or multiple rappellers basic airborne rappelling advanced airborne rappelling airborne fast roping

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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:

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 reporting procedures for identified problems communicating effectively with others completing relevant documentation conducting pre-flight and post-flight rappelling operations briefings and debriefings including all sub-tasks: fast rappelling considerations rappelling considerations unprepared helicopter landing sites confined areas unknown landing sites pinnacles embarked/sea platforms (as required) marine environments (as required) following relevant legislation and workplace procedures identifying and assessing vertical, horizontal and relative spatial distances in relation to aircraft fuselage, rotor system, mission and/or operational stores and equipment with regard to potential obstacles to flight safety identifying and correctly using relevant equipment identifying and justifying a decision to operate a helicopter during rappelling operations implementing contingency plans implementing work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures and relevant regulations interpreting hover performance and power available/power required from graphs/charts maintaining situational awareness managing abnormal and emergency situations during rappelling operations: aircraft system failure or malfunction rappelling and rappelling equipment malfunction or failure injury to rappelling/rappelling personnel degraded environmental conditions modifying activities depending on workplace contingencies, situations and environments monitoring and anticipating operational problems and hazards and take appropriate action monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule operating electronic communications equipment to required protocol reacting appropriately to avoid hazardous situations and/or dangerous situations that pose risks to safety of flight and personnel reading, interpreting and following relevant regulations, instructions, procedures, information and signs selecting and using required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and WHS/OHS standards solving problems associated with operating a helicopter during rappelling operations using instruments to monitor helicopter performance during rappelling operations working collaboratively with others working systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment.

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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:

aircraft performance calculations (for all phases of flight) CASR Part 61 Manual of Standards Schedule 3 Aeronautical Knowledge relevant to helicopter roping or rappelling operations communications procedure and terminology applicable to rappelling operations control effectiveness in all phases of flight engine performance checks for helicopter type to be flown flight rules and legislation applicable to rappelling operations functions and effects of all aircraft controls and instruments hazards, limitations and problems that can occur when operating an aircraft during rappelling operations helicopter dimensions human factors applicable to roping/rappelling operations: crew coordination dehydration and effects on pilot cognitive function fatigue and situational awareness stress and short-term, long-term impact drugs including over-the-counter spatial orientation and illusions in a Defence context, relevant Defence Orders and Instructions internal and external load limitations for helicopter type to be flown including weight and balance consideration meteorological requirements for roping/rappelling operations operational inspections operational planning and risk management processes for rappelling operations pre- and post-flight inspection requirements principles of aerodynamics relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Civil Aviation Orders relevant WHS/OHS and environmental procedures and regulations rappelling and/or fast roping operational planning requirements: fast roping considerations rappelling considerations unprepared helicopter landing sites confined areas unknown landing sites pinnacles embarked/sea platforms marine environments rappelling and/or fast rope attaching point limitations rappelling and/or fast roping operational flight techniques: low-level flight handling deployment and recovery procedures abnormal and emergency handling techniques.

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