This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to implement instrument flight rules (IFR) planning procedures, in compliance with the relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), national and international civil aviation operating standards

It includes assessing instrument flight planning needs, determining aircraft instrument flight requirements, identifying operational flight documentation, preparing charts and instrument flight plans. It also includes selecting instrument flight routes, determining operational requirements, releasing an instrument flight plan, and providing extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS) flight planning and flight support.

This unit addresses aviation technical skill requirements (physical, mental and task-management abilities) related to route planning and navigation duties of flight dispatch personnel, and contributes to safe and effective performance in complex aviation operational environments.

Operations are conducted as part of commercial and military aircraft activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian aviation industry.

Work is performed independently or under limited supervision as a single operator or within a team environment.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Use for Defence Aviation is to be in accordance with relevant Defence Orders, Instructions, Publications and Regulations.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Assess instrument flight planning needs

1.1

Operator flight planning objectives and factors contributing to and or influencing these objectives, are defined

1.2

Conflicting flight planning objectives including commercial and safety imperatives are identified

1.3

Direct operating costs of a flight plan including fuel, resourcing, engineering, navigational and ground handling factors are considered and assessed for applicability to flight plan

1.4

Relationship between different flight planning objectives including minimum fuel, maximum speed and thrust, minimum cost and varying operational requirements is determined and applied

1.5

Value of flight plan in establishing track, distance, heading, speed, times, optimum route, altitudes, contingency planning, fuel consumption and reserves, is assessed

1.6

Value of flight plan to air traffic services in establishing reporting points, flight information region crossing and coordination, pre-departure clearances, and traffic flow coordination, is assessed

1.7

Appropriate state and operator authorisations are obtained to plan and manage a range of instrument flight operation types including scheduled, non-scheduled, charter, ferry, training, test and publicity flights

1.8

Instrument flight planning process is applied while assessing a wide range of planning factors including type of flight, weather, aircraft type, availability and performance, crew, payload, schedule, departure, enroute and destination requirements, state based air service requirements, briefing, flight plan delivery and filing

1.9

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) air traffic flight plan format, filing, and performance based navigation requirements are determined and applied to instrument flight planning processes

2

Determine aircraft instrument flight requirements

2.1

Aircraft requirements for instrument flight are determined

2.2

Flight and navigation instruments, including minimum electrical lighting, navigation equipment, minimum equipment lists and any other requirements fitted to the aircraft are identified and assessed to ensure they are suitable and acceptable for instrument flight

3

Identify operational flight documentation

3.1

Essential operational documentation applicable to instrument flight type is identified for use by flight crew

3.2

Applicable information contained in documents for flight planning and management is interpreted and applied

3.3

Aircraft library requirements including operating manual suite, aeronautical information publications, logbooks and other relevant flight documents are identified

4

Prepare charts and instrument flight plans

4.1

Charts suitable for intended instrument flight are identified, selected and prepared

4.2

Applicable information to prepare a flight plan that details tracks, distances, times, altitudes to be flown and fuel requirements to reach destination are obtained, analysed and applied

4.3

Meteorological, airways facilities, aerodrome and Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) information applicable to planning and conducting a flight is obtained, interpreted and applied

4.4

Navigation information applicable to flight planning is obtained, interpreted and applied

5

Select instrument flight routes

5.1

Factors contributing to selecting optimum track, great circle track and minimum time track are identified

5.2

Minimum time track on upper air charts is plotted

5.3

Preferred minimum time track is determined and modified as required

5.4

Fuel quantities more than minimum fuel are routinely considered and cost of carriage is assessed and determined in context of overall flight plan

6

Determine operational requirements

6.1

Suitability of aerodrome for instrument flight operations is determined

6.2

Operational constraints are complied with

6.4

Holding, alternate and reserve fuel requirements due to weather, navigation aid availability and aerodrome lighting are determined in accordance with operational requirements

6.5

Total fuel requirements are calculated

7

Release an instrument flight plan

7.1

All required safety conditions, limitations and regulations are met and gross error check is performed

7.2

Flight crew briefing information is collated including meteorological information, airport status, navigation aids, communication facilities, aircraft equipment and deviations, and reasons for flight plan submission

7.3

An ICAO air traffic instrument flight plan is compiled, filed and managed for changes, delays and cancellation purposes

7.4

Scheduled or unscheduled flights are re-cleared (re-filed) as required, based on revised flight information, using fuel saving techniques and varying operational requirements

8

Provide extended twin operations flight planning and flight support

8.1

Extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS) planning considerations and regulatory requirements are determined and applied to instrument flight planning activities

8.2

ETOPS approval processes for regular passenger transport (RPT) or charter operations are understood and implemented where necessary

8.3

System redundancy levels appropriate to ETOPS are identified and applied to ETOPS instrument flight planning activities

8.4

ETOPS communication and navigation requirements between aircraft and relevant agencies and aids are determined and applied to ETOPS instrument flight planning activities

8.5

Required ETOPS take-off, destination and alternate aerodrome requirements are assessed for suitability and recorded within flight planning and flight crew operational documentation

8.6

Actual or forecast weather conditions for duration of planned flight are assessed for ETOPS planning purposes

8.7

Aircraft performance data is interpreted and applied to ETOPS instrument flight planning activities

8.8

Relevant flight support information and assistance is provided to pilot in command (PIC) for ETOPS flight planning and normal flight situations

8.9

Relevant flight support information and assistance is provided to PIC during abnormal or emergency ETOPS situations

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 knowledge of:

climb and descent tables and charts

constant mach flight planning tables and charts

long range cruise charts and tables

applying knowledge standard extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS) considerations

applying published instrument flight rules (IFR) procedures

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

applying relevant legislation and workplace procedures

calculating altimeter corrections from authorised sources, true altitude above mean sea level and height above terrain for a range of pressure altitudes and temperatures, and using standard atmosphere tables

calculating flight time and fuel with varying fuel quantities to determine cost of carriage

calculating minimum fuel and flight time, including taxi fuel, optimum altitude, use of charts, reserve fuel and critical point (CP) fuel

calculating minimum fuel to destination to include distant alternates, and using destination as the alternate

communicating effectively with others

completing relevant documentation

decoding aviation weather reports, including observing, trending and analysing simultaneous reports and conditions

determining aircraft limits and maximum payloads

determining conversion angles, convergency applications, plotting relative true north and grid north using Mercator, lambert conformal and polar stereographic charts

determining operational requirements

estimating winds and temperatures at flight levels corresponding to upper-air charts and at intermediate flight levels

examining surface and upper-air charts in mid-latitude and tropical regions

examining synoptic and aeronautical prognostic charts to determine movement and time evolution

examining typical charts and forecasts for flight planning to decode aerodrome and trend type landing forecasts

identifying and briefing aeronautical climatology of a specific route

identifying and correctly using relevant equipment

identifying and selecting suitable navigation aids/systems

implementing contingency plans

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

inspecting and identifying actual and forecast charts for pressure patterns on surface and upper-air charts, and identifying pressure gradients

interpreting and following operational instructions and prioritising work

interpreting instrument flight charts

interpreting instrument meteorological condition (IMC) forecasts

interpreting tropopause and maximum winds charts

interpreting weather observations plotted on standard format synoptic charts

making flight notifications

making proficient operational decisions

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

obtaining and using current operational documents

operating electronic communications equipment to required protocol

performing calculations for a given true track, true airspeed (TAS) and distance to CP in zero wind, tailwind and beam wind

performing calculations for a given true track, TAS and endurance, distance to point of no return (PNR) in zero wind, tailwind and beam wind, establish maximum PNR, return to departure airport and alternate airport all engines and one engine inoperative

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

reporting and/or rectifying problems, faults or malfunctions promptly, in accordance workplace procedures

reviewing aircraft performance and cruise control procedures and variations using aircraft flight manual graphs

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

working collaboratively with others

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

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 en route holding procedures

aircraft documents pouch:

certificate of airworthiness

certificate of registration

aircraft radio licence

fuel supplier carnet

emergency en route charts

sabotage checklist

aircraft fuel planning including holding, alternate, fixed reserve and usage rates

aircraft library:

aircraft operating manual

section of operating manual applicable to flight crew

aeronautical information publications

aircraft journey logbook

airspace requirements and procedures under IFR conditions

CP and point of no return

customs and immigration forms:

general declaration forms

passenger manifest

crew manifest

ETOPS:

adequate airport

suitable airport

auxiliary power unit

ETOPS configuration

extended range operations

extended range entry point

fail-safe

inflight shutdown

airworthiness

60 minute operation

120 minute operation

180 minute operation

minimum equipment list

weather

fuel

operational practices and procedures

flight planning

one engine inoperative performance

all engines operating performance

drift down

cruise altitude, and coverage at 10,000 feet

holding

altitude capability

missed approach

en route alternate airport requirements

minima

precision and non-precision approaches

fuel and oil supply

non-standard atmospheric conditions

factors affecting en route performance, range and endurance

gross error checking requirements:

flight designator

aircraft registration

minimum fuel

maximum permissible take-off mass

taxi fuel

alternate/s

fuel over destination

wind component and temperature

route

name of dispatcher

ground and space-based navigation systems and infrastructure

ground based systems

space based systems

global navigation satellite system (GNSS) operating procedure errors

continuous descent final approach (CDFA) techniques

how to determine currency of operational documents

icing conditions and hazards

IFR cruising levels, selection and hazards

IFR route planning requirements

in an Australian Defence Force (ADF) context, relevant Defence Orders and Instructions

instrument flight documentation requirements

instrument flight procedures:

flight instrument operations, errors and limitations

radio communication phraseology

lost communications procedures

air traffic service requirements

instrument chart symbology and information

reporting requirements

2D/3D instrument approach operations

altimeter accuracy and variations due temperature

flight plan validity

search and rescue times (SARTIME) and pilot obligations

missed approach requirements

alternate aerodrome weather minima

aircraft separation standards

pilot activated lighting (PAL)

runway visual approach slope lighting system operation and limitations

pilot responsibilities

aircraft transponder operation

limitations on use of radar on ground

lowest safe altitude (LSALT):

calculate route LSALT not specified in aeronautical information publication (AIP)

missed approach minimum obstacle clearance

minimum obstacle clearance provided by minimum circling altitude

track establishment after take-off

establish aircraft above LSALT requirements

descent below LSALT or minimum safety altitude requirements by day/night/night visual flight rules (NVFR)

meteorological considerations for an IFR flight:

atmosphere, composition and structure

International Standard Atmosphere (ISA)

atmospheric temperature and humidity

units of measurement

mechanisms

actual atmospheric heating

temperature at the earth’s surface

atmospheric humidity

adiabatic processes

atmospheric stability

vertical distribution of temperature (lapse rate)

atmospheric pressures

variation to pressure height

constant pressure charts

pressure-wind relationships

horizontal forces acting on the air

winds near the earth surface

winds in the free atmosphere

types of atmospheric turbulence

mountain waves (rotors)

formation of clouds and precipitation and processes involved

motion in cloud formation and precipitation

formation of types of precipitation

thunderstorms

aircraft icing

visibility and runway visual range (RVR)/slant visual range (SVR)

components of aerodrome operating minima (visibility and RVR)

causes of reduced visibility

fog types

volcanic ash

surface observations

upper air observations

observations from satellites

station model

air masses and fronts

frontal depressions and characteristics

other types of pressure systems

climatology

tropical weather

aeronautical meteorological reports

weather reporting services

analysis of surface and upper-air charts

synoptic charts in the topics

prognostic charts

aeronautical forecasts

role of international meteorological services

meteorological communications

navigation requirements:

position and distance

measurement of distance

time and time zones

true, magnetic and compass directions

gyro heading and grid direction

chart projections (all types)

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) chart requirements

charts used by a typical operator

measurement of true airspeed by airspeed indicator

measurement of true airspeed by other means

track and ground speed

use of slide rules and scientific calculators

measure of aircraft altitude

PNR

CP (equal time point)

general determination of aircraft position

introduction to radio navigation

ground based radar and direction-finding

relative bearings including aircraft ADF

VOR/DME-type radio navigation

instrument landing system (ILS)

navigation procedures

position fixing requirements

aircraft performance categories and operational implications

waypoints, symbology and pilot requirements

visual circling by day or night

pressure error correction (PEC)

aerodrome operating minima (AOM)

decision altitude (DA)

normal segment gradient

tracking tolerances

speed limitations and restrictions

operational planning requirements:

flight planning

alternate aerodrome requirements

holding fuel requirements

NVFR operational requirements

planned/alternate destination weather conditions below minima

receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM) prediction implications

performance based navigation (PBN):

PBN principles

area navigation (RNAV) required navigation performance (RNP) capability

core components

navigation system performance requirements

performance monitoring and alerting

RNP specifications and system requirements

RNP navigation system errors

RNP leg types

RNP leg transitions

RNP navigation authorisation requirements

GNSS receiver requirements for RNP APCH operations

GNSS receiver mode conditions and actions for RNP APCH

RNP instrument approach requirements

augmented and non-augmented approaches

interpret IAP charts for minima information and operational restrictions

validity and accuracy of QNH for RNP APCH types

RNP approach differentiation

Space based augmentation systems (SBAS)

APV Baro-VNAV instrument approach charts

vertical guidance information and operational considerations

Baro-VNAV vertical guidance principles

practical uses of critical points (CP)

privileges and limitations conferred by an instrument rating

reduced vertical separation minima (RVSM) operations

range of flight levels within Australian airspace

operational requirements

aircraft altimeter accuracy requirements

vertical height tolerances

procedures and standard communication phraseology

altimetry system failures

relevant WHS/OHS and environmental procedures and regulations

relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASRs) and Civil Aviation Orders for IFR and planning requirements

requirements for an alternate aerodrome

use of a navigational computer.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations. Where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that reflect workplace conditions.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations

acceptable means of simulation assessment

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

relevant materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry.