Work must be carried out in compliance with the relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and national operating standards.

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

Operations are conducted across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian aviation industry.

Work is performed under limited supervision.

This unit of competency is nominally packaged at Certificate III.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Prepare for night aided vision operations

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

1.2 Risk assessment and management processes are implemented to minimise risk to safety of flight, personnel and equipment

1.3 Night aided lighting limitations/considerations are reviewed

1.4 All operating crew are briefed on the conduct of night aided aviation operations

1.5 Night aided personal equipment is obtained and pre-operational checks are completed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

1.6 Aircraft night aided sensors, aids and equipment serviceability checks and adjustments are completed, and defects are identified and reported in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

2Conduct night aided vision operations

2.1 Night aided equipment and systems are used to safely operate aircraft systems

2.2 Instrumentation and system checks are completed at appropriate times to identify visual clues

2.3 Night aided human physiological conditions are monitored and corrective action is taken where required in accordance with organisational policies

2.4 Reconnaissance of operational area is completed to ensure aircraft safety

2.5 Night aided 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 aircraft, crew, personnel and equipment

2.7 Crew resource management principles and processes are implemented in accordance with organisational policies to ensure operational intent

3Conclude night aided vision operations

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

3.2 Post-flight documentation is complete

3.3 After use servicing is completed and identified defects are reported

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Required knowledge:

Human physiological functions and the electromagnetic spectrum under night aided vision conditions

Night aided vision equipment imaging systems operations

Night aided vision equipment components and their functions

Potential and/or common night aided vision equipment faults and defects

Organisational policies that apply to storage, handling, usage and control of night aided vision equipment, sensors, aids and devices

Organisational requirements for night aided vision equipment aircraft compatibility

Human and aeromedical factors under night aided vision conditions

Focal and ambient vision

Night aided vision field of view, field of regard and how they relate to visual scanning techniques

Night aided vision techniques for visually dark adapting

Potential night aided vision illusions and misperceptions and their effects on spatial orientation

Self-imposed and physiological fatigue issues that impact night aided vision operations

Sources, types and effects of illumination levels in night aided vision operations

Relationship between illuminance and luminance

Effects of atmospheric conditions on electromagnetic energy and the resolution of night aided vision sensors, equipment and devices

Meteorological conditions (rain, cloud, fog, haze, snow, smoke) affect on illumination levels and night aided vision equipment, sensor and/or device performance.

Key visual cues for identifying and interpreting terrain features and obstacles under night aided vision conditions, including shadow and surface

Cues and techniques that optimise navigation processes under night aided vision conditions

Meteorological requirements for night aided vision aviation operations

Internal and external organisational regulatory requirements for the conduct of night aided vision aviation operations

Minimum crewing requirements for the conduct of night aided vision aviation operations

Night aided vision operations qualification, currency and recency requirements

Risk management processes and procedures applicable to night aided vision operations

Flight planning considerations, terrain and route selection factors applicable to night aided vision operations

Procedures and techniques to enhance in-flight navigation during night aided vision operations

Night aided vision operations crew coordination procedures during pre-flight, flight operations and post-flight activities

Concepts and procedures relating to blind cockpit and cabin checks

Emergency and abnormal situation procedures applicable to night aided vision specific operations

Occupational health and safety issues applicable to conducting night aided aviation operations

Required skills:

Perform flight planning procedures relevant to the conduct of night aided vision aviation operations

Interpret and calculate luminance/illumination levels for the conduct of night aided vision operations

Plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements

Conduct and/or participate in pre-flight, flight and post-flight briefings and debriefings relevant to night aided vision operations

Perform night aided vision sensor, equipment and/or device pre- and post-flight inspections and adjustments to ensure optimisation for use and/or future operation

Conduct night aided vision aviation operations in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

Apply principles of crew resource management relevant to night aided vision operations during flight

Work collaboratively with others when conducting night aided aviation operations

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

Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work during the conduct of night aided vision operations

Maintain and/or regain degraded situational awareness whilst conducting night aided vision operations

Communicate effectively with others when conducting night aided aviation operations

Perform blind cockpit and/or cabin checks during relevant flight operational checks and procedures

Apply visual scanning techniques and procedures during night aided vision operations

Operate and adapt to differences in communication equipment in accordance with organisational procedures

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions that may occur conducting night aided aviation operations in accordance with workplace procedures

Apply risk management processes, procedures and required actions to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist when conducting night aided vision operations

Implement contingency plans for unanticipated situations that may arise when conducting night aided aviation operations

Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

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

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

Aircraft may include:

single or multiple engine

fixed and rotary wing aircraft compatible with and authorised to conduct night aided aviation operations

Aircraft publications may include:

checklists

flight manuals

organisational policy and procedures manuals

aviation maintenance documentation

Pre-flight information may include:

authorised aviation maps, charts and flight supplements

meteorological information

terrain data

risk assessment and management factors

Work environment may include:

by night

over land or over sea

Prepared or Unprepared landing sites

Night aided environmental and cultural lighting may include:

lunar

solar

celestial

urban terrain lighting

ambient

maritime lighting

other aircraft

Night aided systems equipment preparation will include:

aircraft internal/external night aided lighting checks

aural and visual warning system checks

night aided sensors, aids and devices

Night aided vision equipment may include:

night vision goggles

night vision devices

heads up displays

forward looking infra red radars

thermal imaging systems

laser range finders

Night aided personal equipment serviceability checks may include:

non operation

intermittent operation

poor or degraded image quality

inability to focus

image obscurations

eyepiece or objective lens cannot be focused

eye-span and eye relief cannot be achieved

night aided equipment mounting systems unserviceable

low battery indicator will not illuminate during check

night aided sensors fail to initialise/self-test

Night aided compatible personal equipment may include:

hand-held torches

IR compatible lighting systems

eye protection

flares, strobes, beacons and IR markers

lip and finger lights

personal life-support equipment

Unusual meteorological conditions may include:

dust and rain

salt laden atmosphere

high humidity

cloud

turbulence

unforecast meteorological events

laser threat environments

Abnormal/emergency situations may include:

aircraft emergencies

night aided aircraft and personal equipment failures

inadvertent IMC

degraded or loss of situational awareness

breakdown in crew coordination and communications

Night aided human physiological conditions may include:

circadian dysrhythmia

mental or physical fatigue

visual illusions

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

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

Information/documentation may include:

relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations

in Defence context, relevant Defence Orders and Instructions

Flight Manual/Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)

Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP)

charts

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

in Defence context, relevant Defence Orders and Instructions

relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

relevant Australian Standards

W - Equipment and Systems Operations

This unit contains employability skills.