Work must be carried out in compliance with the relevant licence and aircraft rating requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and/or ADF; airspace control requirements and Day Visual Flight Rules (Day VFR); and aircraft control principles, regulations, safety codes, protocols and procedures relating to controlling a helicopter on the ground.

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

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

Work is performed under limited supervision.

This unit is nominally packaged at Certificate IV.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Start and stop engine

1.1 Start/stop checklists are followed in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

1.2 Helicopter is positioned with a view to safety and rotor clearance when starting engine

1.3 Engine is started/stopped in accordance with manufacturers instruction, workplace procedures, regulatory requirements and Flight Manual/Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)

1.4 Pre-start and after-start checks are completed in accordance with Flight Manual/POH

1.5 Emergencies are managed in accordance with Flight Manual/POH, emergency procedures and regulatory requirements

1.6 Pre- and after-shutdown checks are completed in accordance with approved checklist and Flight Manual/POH

1.7 Engine is operated within manufacturers limitations

1.8 Compliance is maintained with local and published noise abatement requirements and curfews

2Engage and stop rotor

2.1 Wind conditions are assessed and appropriate allowance is made in accordance with manufacturers instructions and workplace procedures

2.2 Engine RPM is set within limits before rotor engagement

2.3 Rotor brake is released/applied in accordance with Flight Manual/POH procedures

2.4 Rotor is engaged and stopped in accordance with manufacturers instructions, workplace procedures and Flight Manual/POH

2.5 Engine RPM is maintained within limits during rotor engagement in accordance with manufacturers instructions

2.6 Disc position is maintained within operating limits both as RPM increases and during rotor stopping operations

2.7 Transmission, hydraulic system and engine indications are monitored and appropriate responses are made if necessary

3Control main rotor disc and anti-torque system

3.1 Collective and cyclic pitch controls are set to maintain main rotor disc parallel to the landing surface at flat pitch and at idle RPM

3.2 Anti-torque pedals are set to compensate for main rotor torque

3.3 Rotor disc and RPM are controlled while performing any other required tasks or actions

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND 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

Relevant OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations

Relevant helicopter/equipment characteristics including:

aircraft operational limitations

helicopter starter motor limitations

fuel system including cause and effect of fuel vaporisation

rotor engagement system

fitted fire-fighting equipment and its applications

effect of wind on engines and rotor blades

dynamic roll over

ground resonance

helicopter braking and steering systems

On-ground helicopter control procedures including:

pre-start checks

clearing of rotor blades

rotor engagement

use of filtered air

hot and cold engine start

after-start checks

shutdown checks

actions in the event of brake or tyre failure

fire management

Aerodrome landing area markings and light and marshalling signals

Relevant sections of the Flight Manual/POH

Local air traffic control procedures

Required skills:

Select and use relevant controls/equipment including throttle, rotor controls, anti-torque pedals and collective and cyclic pitch controls

Apply the knowledge to the control of a helicopter on the ground

Use instruments to monitor helicopter performance

Read and interpret instructions, procedures and information relevant to the control of a helicopter on the ground

Solve problems associated with the control of a helicopter on the ground

Communicate effectively with others when controlling a helicopter on the ground

Read and interpret instructions, regulations, procedures and other information relevant to controlling a helicopter on the ground

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Complete documentation related to controlling a helicopter on the ground

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

Work collaboratively with others when controlling a helicopter on the ground

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 controlling a helicopter on the ground in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Implement contingency plans for unexpected events that may arise when controlling a helicopter on the ground

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist when controlling a helicopter on the ground

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 when controlling a helicopter on the ground

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.

Tasks may be undertaken in:

variable weather conditions in accordance with Day Visual Flight Rules

Performance may be demonstrated in:

single engine helicopter

multi engine helicopter

single main rotor helicopter

multi main rotor helicopter

variable air traffic conditions

abnormal situations

Performance may be demonstrated on an helicopter with:

fully functioning dual controls

an electronic intercom system

dual control brakes

wheeled and or skidded undercarriages

Crew may include:

single pilot

multi crew

Limitations may be imposed by:

local noise abatement requirements and curfews

Ground operations may be made at:

a prepared or unprepared aerodrome

an approved helicopter landing site (HLS)

Operational hazards during ground operations may include:

variable surface conditions

other aircraft

loose objects

personnel

animals

birds

propeller/tail rotor/rotor wash and jet blast

Guidance during ground operations may be provided by:

air traffic control instructions

light signals

aerodrome markings

Checklists may include:

pre-flight

pre-start

engine start

shutdown

post-fight

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

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

standard operating procedures

Procedures maintaining compliance with airspace requirements are:

geographical limits of the flight area is demonstrated on a chart

prominent geographical features are identified using a chart

the limits of the flight area are identified on the ground

the position of controlled airspace is determined using a chart and geographical features

restricted areas are identified using a chart and geographical features

departure from the circuit area and transition to the flight area is completed without incident

ground operations are completed without incident

Information/documents may include:

relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Civil Aviation Orders including Day Visual Flight Rules (Day VFR)

in Defence context, relevant Defence Orders and Instructions

Flight Manual/Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)

Manual of Standards - Pilot Licensing (MOS-PL)

Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP)

En Route Supplement Australia (ERSA)

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

Performance includes tolerances specified in either of:

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

Day VFR Syllabus

Manual of Standards

relevant Defence documentation such as:

Defence Orders and Instructions

approved curricula and training documentation

Y - Aircraft Operation and Traffic Management

This unit contains employability skills.