AVIM5001A
Operate a simulator

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate a simulator including safe operation, pre-operation planning, simulation activity control, post-operation activity and administration. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application

This unit has application for the safe operation of simulators in the workplace.

Use for ADF Aviation is to be in accordance with relevant Defence Orders and Instructions and applicable Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) compliance.

Work is performed under various levels of supervision dependent on workplace context, and in a team environment.

This unit of competency is nominally packaged at Diploma.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Apply simulation operations safety

1.1 Access and egress to simulator is conducted in accordance with workplace procedures

1.2 Safety and emergency procedures are communicated and actioned as required

1.3 Simulator serviceability is monitored in accordance with workplace procedures

1.4 Simulation sickness effects are communicated in accordance with workplace procedures

1.5 Simulation sickness effects are treated in accordance with workplace procedures

1.6 Workplace safety communications are followed in accordance with workplace procedures

2Conduct pre-operation planning

2.1 Appropriate simulation equipment is selected

2.2 Simulation equipment is employed

2.3 Operating manuals are used to support work practices

2.4 Simulation data is accessed to suit work practices, in accordance with workplace procedures

2.5 Simulation data is manipulated to suit work requirements, in accordance with workplace procedures

2.6 Simulation data is saved in accordance with workplace procedures

2.7 Simulation data is stored to suit work requirements, in accordance with workplace procedures

3Control a simulation activity

3.1 Liaison with relevant personnel is conducted to determine simulation activity requirements

3.2 Simulation activity plan is developed in accordance with activity requirements

3.3 Simulation activity is commenced

3.4 Communication with simulation activity participants is maintained

3.5 Abnormal/unusual conditions are monitored and addressed

3.6 Variations to activity conditions are made as requested/required

3.7 Activity is ceased in accordance with simulation activity plan

4Perform post-operation activities

4.1 Simulation results are saved in accordance with workplace procedures

4.2 Activity participants are debriefed as required

4.3 Simulator faults are recorded in accordance with workplace procedures

4.4 Simulation equipment is refurbished/maintained in accordance with workplace procedures

Required Skills

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Required knowledge:

Relevant OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations applicable to simulation operations and personnel safety

Broad knowledge of the application of simulation and synthetic activities including live, virtual and constructive (LVC) simulations

Broad knowledge of information communication technology within the simulation and synthetic environment

Established procedures applicable to simulation operations

Abnormal conditions, including hardware, software and equipment malfunction/failure and poor/unusual participant performance

The effects of simulation sickness

Functions of single-user, multi-user and distributed user operating systems

Documentation production and safe storage

Basic database management

Required skills:

Read, comprehend and interpret written technical English

Select and employ simulation equipment

Apply fine physical motor skills

Coordinate activities that involve a range of complex tasks

Create and store documents using information communication technology

Coordinate information communication technology related activities

Demonstrate briefing/debriefing skills

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

communicating safety and emergency procedures

communicating simulation sickness effects

manipulating, saving and storing simulation data in accordance with workplace procedures

monitoring and addressing abnormal/unusual conditions

recording simulator faults

refurbishing/maintaining simulator equipment in accordance with workplace procedures

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.

Access and egress may include:

appropriate and safe entry to simulator in accordance with organisation's OH&S and security policies

appropriate and safe exit methodologies from simulators

interpretation of signage, safety warnings and simulator status

monitoring access of visitors to simulator and providing safety/security briefs as required

Simulator may include

full motion simulator

flight training device

synthetic training device

virtual reality training system

single, multiple or team operator simulator

simulator

part-task simulator

desktop simulator

operating system

associated simulator computer hardware and software

Workplace procedures may include:

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

standard operating procedures

manufacturers guidelines

established procedures

workplace instructions

Motion system may include:

a system that provides motion cues, where fitted, and associated safety practices

system safety requirements

location and operation of emergency stop buttons, and resetting of buttons

Safety and emergency may include:

simulation sickness

equipment malfunction/failure

smoke or overheat warnings

emergency communication

loading stops

motion stops

Safety and emergency procedures may include:

established procedures

industry safe practice

Monitoring simulator serviceability may include:

ensuring device is maintained to a level satisfactory to comply with organisational requirements

recording issues which may arise during the course of routine equipment operation

submission of routine maintenance documentation

Simulation sickness may include:

visuomotor dysfunctions

mental disorientation

nausea including vomiting

other symptoms such as drowsiness, fatigue, and headache

Workplace communications may include:

interpersonal communications

messages received via simulator/simulated communications

on-screen messages

written reports

phone

radio

other information communication technology means (e.g. email, SMS, blogs, text message, facsimile)

Information communication technology equipment may include:

visual display units

lesson planning and other off-line preparation stations

electronic communication devices (e.g. desktops, laptops, notebooks, PDAs, cameras, visual monitoring systems)

Pre-operation planning may include:

use of pre-operation planning tools

development of simulation activity plan

discussion

Appropriate simulation equipment may include:

computer software subclass

software applications

synthetic environment software (e.g. SETHI)

gaming software

digital insertion devices

compact discs

universal serial bus devices

access database

web based database

storage strategy within an organisation's databases

personnel equipment (e.g. hearing protection, eye protection, clothing, footwear)

Simulation activities may include:

scenarios

pre-planned training sorties

pre-planned training operations

Operating manuals may include:

manufacturer information manuals

organisation operations manuals

drop-down menus within software applications

a system troubleshooting capability

Accessed may include:

downloading from database

opening applications, directories and files

inserting a digital storage device

Work practices may include:

operations conducted by training staff

operations conducted by simulator operators

scenarios utilised to support a simulated activity

Data may include:

scenario content

representations of facts, concepts and instructions

Saved may include:

information sent to storage within an organisation's database

information sent to storage within an internal hard drive

information sent to storage within an external hard drive

Stored may include:

information retained within an organisation's database

information retained within an internal hard drive

information retained within an external hard drive

Relevant personnel may include:

Instructional staff

coaching staff

experienced personnel

subject matter experts (e.g. pilots, aircrew)

technical staff

trainees

other simulator operators

Simulation activity plan may include:

written or electronic variable or set scenarios

guidance and control within a range of pre-programmed characteristics

information which may be saved on a digital storage device

a pre-programmed range of variables

programming of entities into a simulator activity

geophysical conditions

Abnormal/unusual conditions may include:

hardware malfunction/failure

software malfunction/failure

simulation sickness

poor/unusual participant performance

personnel equipment malfunction/failure

Variations to activity conditions may include:

changes made in response to a training need

changes made in response to a strategic requirement

Debrief may include:

providing feedback to relevant personnel on conclusion of simulator activity

providing feedback to relevant organisational authorities

providing feedback to manufacturers, contracted suppliers, and contracted maintainers


Sectors

Not applicable.


Competency Field

M - Training and Assessment


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.