This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to conduct night vision imaging system (NVIS) operations, in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and national operating standards.

It includes preparing for, conducting and concluding night vision imaging system operations as an individual flight crew member.

This unit addresses aviation technical skill requirements (physical, mental and task-management abilities) related to equipment and system operations of flight crew/s, and contributes to safe and effective performance in complex aviation operational environments.

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

Work is performed independently or under limited supervision within a single-pilot or multi-crew 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

Prepare for night vision imaging system operations

1.1

Pre-flight information is obtained and prepared to identify safe flight routes, weather and operating terrain

1.2

Aviation risk management processes are implemented to minimise risk to safety of flight, personnel and equipment

1.3

NVIS lighting limitations/considerations are reviewed

1.4

Crew briefing is delivered or received about NVIS operational objectives

1.5

NVIS equipment is obtained and pre-operational checks are completed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

1.6

Aircraft NVIS sensors, aids and equipment serviceability preparatory and adjustments are completed, and defects are identified and reported in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

2

Conduct night vision imaging system operations

2.1

NVIS equipment and personal flight equipment are used to safely operate aircraft systems

2.2

Instrumentation and/or NVIS checks are completed at appropriate times to identify visual clues

2.3

Night vision human factors are monitored and corrective action is taken as required in accordance with organisational policies

2.4

Reconnaissance of operational area is completed to ensure aircraft safety in accordance with organisational policies

2.5

NVIS emergency and abnormal conditions are identified and reacted to in accordance with organisational procedures and practices

2.6

Situational awareness is maintained to ensure safety of flight, crew, personnel and equipment

2.7

Individual flight crew coordination and management principles are implemented to ensure operational intent, in accordance with organisational policies

3

Conclude night vision imaging system operations

3.1

Post-flight analysis and debriefing is conducted in accordance with organisational policies

3.2

Post-flight documentation is completed and processed

3.3

Afteruse servicing is completed and identified equipment defects are reported in accordance with organisational policies

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 principles of crew coordination and management relevant to night vision imaging system (NVIS) operations during flight

applying relevant aeronautical knowledge

applying relevant legislation and workplace procedures

applying visual scanning techniques and procedures during NVIS operations

communicating effectively with others

conducting or participating in pre-flight, flight and post-flight briefings and debriefings relevant to NVIS operations

implementing aviation risk management processes, procedures and required actions to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards

implementing contingency plans

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

interpreting and calculating luminance/illumination levels for NVIS operations

interpreting and following operational instructions and prioritising work during NVIS operations

maintaining or regaining degraded, situational awareness while conducting NVIS operations

modifying activities depending on operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule

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

participating in or delivering stakeholder briefing requirements including:

planning for recovery from inadvertent instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) entry and loss of visual cues

transit flight, let-down and approach procedures

landing and take-off procedures

role functions and procedures

contingency management

post-flight debriefings

analysing objectives and outcomes of flight and reviews of operating procedures

analysing effectiveness and efficiency in the use and performance of role equipment

identifying achievements and faults or errors that occurred during NVIS flight and providing guidance and feedback to other flight crew members

ensuring inspection, servicing and stowage arrangements for NVIS equipment

performing blind cockpit or cabin checks during relevant flight operational checks and procedures

performing or contributing to relevant flight planning procedures

performing NVIS sensor, equipment or device pre- and post-flight inspections and adjustments to ensure optimisation for use and future operation

planning navigation and/or operational requirements

planning own work, predicting consequences and identifying improvements

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

working collaboratively with others

working systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to aircraft, crew, personnel and equipment.

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:

aeromedical factors under NVIS operations:

visual performance limitations:

field of view (FOV)

eye relief distance

dynamic visual scan

unaided peripheral cueing

visual acuity

visibility determinants

contrast

depth perception and related functions

dynamic and static visual flight cues

NVIS and helmet assembly

eye protection

aviation risk management processes and procedures applicable to NVIS operations

CASR Part 61 Manual of Standards aeronautical knowledge relevant to NVIS operations

common NVIS equipment faults and defects

concepts and procedures relating to blind cockpit and cabin checks

crew coordination within an NVIS operating environment:

scanning arcs of responsibility

NVIS operations terminology

degraded situational awareness due limited visibility

cues and techniques that optimise navigation processes under NVIS conditions

effect of meteorological conditions on illumination levels and NVIS equipment, sensor and/or device performance

effects of atmospheric conditions on electromagnetic energy and the resolution of NVIS sensors, equipment and devices

emergency and abnormal situation procedures applicable to NVIS specific operations

flight planning considerations, terrain and route selection factors applicable to NVIS operations

flight rules and NVIS legislation:

privileges and limitations of an NVIS rating and endorsement

requirements for conducting a flight using NVIS

requirements for conducting a flight using NVIS below 500 feet above ground level (AGL)

minimum aircraft equipment requirements

determining if NVIS equipment meets minimum standards to be authorised for use

focal and ambient vision

human factors under NVIS conditions:

fatigue:

acute

cumulative

circadian

visual fatigue

psychological fatigue

physical fatigue

sleep quality and sleep debt

circadian rhythm:

biological rhythm

light/dark adaption

dark adaptation:

foveal cone stimulation

time to adapt

performance/alertness

pre-adapt to reverse cycle operations

crew duty limits and flight crew rostering

mission/task planning

pharmaceutical support

flight crew management strategies:

sleep environment

napping strategies

physical fitness

coffee and alcohol effects

self-imposed restrictions

post-flight visual problems:

transient colour distortion

eye fatigue

NVIS operations – hypoxia considerations

human physiological functions and the electromagnetic spectrum under NVIS conditions

internal and external organisational regulatory requirements for NVIS operations

key visual cues for identifying and interpreting terrain features and obstacles under NVIS conditions, including shadow and surface

meteorological requirements for NVIS operations

minimum crewing requirements for the conduct of NVIS operations

NVIS equipment components and their functions

NVIS field of view, field of regard and how they relate to visual scanning techniques

NVIS hazards:

non-trained personnel

non-compatible lighting

NVIS operations crew coordination procedures during pre-flight, flight operations and post-flight activities

NVIS operations qualification, currency and recency requirements

NVIS techniques for adapting visually to night conditions

organisational policies that apply to storage, handling, usage and control of NVIS equipment, sensors, aids and devices

organisational requirements for NVIS equipment aircraft compatibility

potential NVIS illusions and misperceptions and their effects on spatial orientation

procedures and techniques to enhance in-flight navigation during NVIS operations

relationship between illuminance and luminance

risk management processes and procedures applicable to NVIS operations

self-imposed and physiological fatigue issues that impact on NVIS operations

sources, types and effects of illumination levels in NVIS operations

terrain interpretation and navigation techniques

types of aviation NVIS operations

WHS/OHS issues applicable to conducting night aided aviation operations.

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

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.

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.

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

Aircraft must include one or more of the following:

fixed or rotary wing aircraft compatible with and authorised to conduct NVIS operations

single or multiple engine

Pre-flight information must include:

authorised aviation maps, charts and flight supplements

meteorological information

NVIS risk assessments and/or management plans

terrain data

NVIS sensors, aids and equipment must include one or more of the following:

active infrared (IR)

enhanced vision systems

forward looking infra red radars

head up displays

laser range gating

night vision devices

night vision goggles

thermal imaging systems

NVIS sensors, aids and equipment serviceability checks must include one or more of the following:

aircraft internal/external night aided lighting checks

aural and visual warning system checks

eyepiece or objective lens cannot be focused

eye-span and eye relief cannot be achieved

image obscurations

inability to focus

intermittent operation

low battery or power indications

night aided sensors, aids and devices

NVIS sensors fail to initialise/self-test

NVIS equipment mounting systems unserviceable

non operation

poor or degraded image quality

NVIS personal flight equipment must include one or more of the following:

eye protection

flares, strobes, beacons and IR markers

handheld torches

IR compatible lighting systems

lip and finger lights

personal life-support equipment

Emergency and abnormal conditions must include one or more of the following:

aircraft abnormal or emergency situations

breakdown in crew coordination and communications

degraded or loss of situational awareness

inadvertent instrument meteorological conditions (IMC)

night aided aircraft and personal equipment failures