AVIF3021A
Manage human factors in remote pilot aircraft systems (RPAS) operations

This unit involves the skills, knowledge and attitudes required to manage human factors in a remote pilot aircraft (RPA) mission, including monitoring own performance, recognising errors and managing corrective action, and managing own physiological and psychological condition. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application

Work must be carried out in compliance with the relevant licence and remote pilot aircraft (RPA) rating requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and/or ADF; airspace control requirements and Day Visual Mission Rules (Day VFR); Instrument Mission Rules (IFR); and RPA control principles, regulations, safety codes, protocols and procedures relevant when managing human factors in RPA mission.

Work involves the management of human factors before and during an RPA mission as part of commercial and military RPA activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian aviation industry.

Use for ADF Aviation is to be in accordance with relevant Defence Orders and Instructions and applicable CASA compliance.

Work is performed under limited supervision.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1

Manage personal performance

1.1

Pre- and post-mission personal condition is managed to ensure safe outcome of operation

1.2

Own performance is monitored against workplace standards, procedures and requirements

1.3

Degradation of personal condition and/or limitations are recognised and appropriate strategies are implemented to ensure the safe outcome of a mission

2

Recognise threats and errors, and manage preventative and corrective action

2.1

Relevant environmental or operational threats that are likely to affect the safety of the mission are identified

2.2

Countermeasures to manage threats are developed and implemented

2.3

Mission progress is monitored and assessed to ensure a safe outcome, or actions are modified when a safe outcome is not assured

2.4

Checklists and standard operating procedures are applied to prevent RPA handling, procedural or communication errors; and committed errors are identified before safety is affected or RPA enters an undesired operational state

2.5

RPA systems, mission environment and crew members are monitored, and information is collected Rand analysed to identify potential or actual errors

2.6

Countermeasures are implemented to prevent errors, or action is taken in the time available to correct errors before the RPA enters an undesired operational state

Required Skills

This describes the essential knowledge and skills and their level required for this unit.

Required knowledge:

Relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Civil Aviation Orders

In Defence context, relevant Defence Orders and Instructions

Relevant OH&S procedures and regulations

Human factors that may influence remote aircraft pilot performance during a mission

Potential errors that may occur during a mission and procedures for taking appropriate preventative and corrective action

Strategies for management of fatigue

Aspects of lifestyle that may adversely influence a remote pilot's physiological/psychological condition and/or fatigue during a mission

The adverse effects of alcohol and prescription and non prescription drugs and regulation concerning alcohol and drug use by remote pilots

Effects of stress on remote pilot performance and ways of managing and controlling the various stressors that may impact on a remote pilot

Explain how the use of checklists and standard procedures prevents errors

Explain how prioritising and managing workload can reduce the commission of errors

Requirements for reporting and documenting any safety incidents and safety critical errors that may have occurred during a mission

An understanding of principles of threat and error management

Recognition of undesired RPA states

Required skills:

Recognise threats and errors and take appropriate corrective action to avoid an undesired RPA state

Manage own physiological and psychological condition

Manage and control stress before and during a mission

Maintain compliance with relevant regulatory requirements including the avoidance of alcohol and drugs before and during a mission

Monitor own performance before and during a mission

Set priorities and manage workload to ensure safe task completion in the time available

Manage aspects of lifestyle that may impact upon remote pilot performance

Recognise signs of fatigue and apply appropriate fatigue management techniques

Identify symptoms of deterioration in physiological/psychological condition and recognise signs of error that might endanger the safety of a mission and take appropriate corrective action

Apply relevant air safety practices and regulations

Communicate effectively with others when managing human factors in RPA mission

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

Work collaboratively with others when managing human factors in RPA mission

Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems that may occur when managing human factors in RPA mission in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Implement contingency plans for unexpected events that may arise when managing human factors in RPA mission

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during the management of human factors in RPA mission

Monitor and anticipate operational problems and hazards and take appropriate action

Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

Modify activities dependent on differing workplace contingencies, situations and environments

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

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

Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

Implement OH&S procedures and relevant regulations

Identify and correctly use equipment required to manage human factors in RPA mission

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:

the underpinning knowledge and skills

relevant legislation and workplace procedures

other relevant aspects of the range statement

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts

Resources for assessment include:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or

access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and

applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation

As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests

Practical assessment must occur:

through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or

in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Tasks must be undertaken in:

within visual line of sight in accordance with Day Visual Mission Rules

Performance may be demonstrated in:

single engine RPA

multi engine RPA

synthetic training device approved by the appropriate authority

but must be in Class G airspace as designated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Aircraft may include:

Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)/Unmanned aircraft

Crew may include:

Remote Pilot

Observers

Instruments may be:

fitted mission instruments

head up displays

Limitations may be imposed by:

local noise abatement requirements and curfews

airspace endorsements

Classes of airspace may be:

as designated by the regulator

Deterioration of physiological condition may result from such causes as:

physical illness

injury

disease

fatigue

Deterioration of psychological condition may result from such causes as:

grief

trauma

interpersonal conflict

overwork

anxiety

uncontrolled stress

secondary effects of illness, disease or injury

Causes of stress may include:

emergency situations

poor planning and prioritisation of tasks

interpersonal conflict

fear and anxiety

lack of sufficient knowledge to adequately manage mission tasks and contingencies

inability to carry out simultaneous multiple tasks

time pressures

unfamiliar environments/situations

illness

Types of errors may include:

stalling of small RPA

abnormal recovery/landing

misinterpretation of communications

non compliance with instructions

Dependent on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

Information/documents may include:

relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Civil Aviation Orders pertaining to human factors and their effect on remote pilot performance

Civil Aviation Safety Regulations concerning limitations on drug and alcohol use by remote pilots

in Defence context, relevant Defence Orders and Instructions

Manual of Standards

Flight Manual

operations manuals

approved checklists

workplace procedures and instructions and job specification

induction and training materials

conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

relevant Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Civil Aviation Orders pertaining to human factors and their effect on remote pilot performance

in Defence context, relevant Defence Orders and Instructions

relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

relevant regulations limiting the use of drugs and alcohol by remote pilots

relevant Australian Standards

Performance includes tolerances specified in either of:

relevant licence and small RPA rating requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) such as:

Manual of Standards

relevant Defence documentation such as:

Defence Orders and Instructions

approved curricula and training documentation


Sectors

Not applicable.


Competency Field

F - Safety Management


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Remote Pilot Licence (RPL) Basic – Level 1