AVIY4051A
Conduct external load-lift operations

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to conduct external load-lifting operations in a helicopter. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application

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 IV.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Prepare for load-lifting operations

1.1 External load characteristics and dimensions are determined and calculated

1.2 Aircraft safety hazards are identified using established procedures

1.3 Aircraft power availability is calculated

1.4 Wind speed and direction are determined

1.5 Approach and overshoot paths are determined

1.6 Load-lifting location and surrounds are checked for suitability

1.7 Helicopter cargo hook system is prepared and checked for correct operation

1.8 Aerial delivery equipment is prepared and checked as required in accordance with equipment manuals and publications

1.9 External load-lifting plan is developed and communicated to other crewmembers

2Perform load-lifting operations

2.1 Helicopter is directed to external load-lifting point

2.2 Pre-take-off lifting checks are conducted in accordance with organisational policy and procedures

2.3 Commentary on the progress of the external load-lifting operation is maintained in accordance with established communication procedures

2.4 External load is attached in accordance with organisational policy and procedures

2.5 External load is monitored during flight for instability, and flight profile is adjusted as required for optimum safety of flight

2.6 External load is released in accordance with organisational policy and procedures and aircraft manuals

3Conclude load-lifting operations

3.1 Aerial delivery equipment is recovered as required

3.2 Cargo hook equipment and control systems are secured and checked in accordance with manufacturers specifications and organisational policy and procedures

4Respond to load-lifting emergencies and abnormal situations

4.1 External load-lifting emergencies are identified, communicated and diagnosed as per established procedures

4.2 Emergency and/or remedial actions are undertaken in accordance with aircraft flight manuals and organisational policy and procedures

Required Skills

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Required knowledge:

Helicopter capabilities and limitations

Cargo hook system and aerial delivery equipment capabilities and limitations

Approved operational procedures and processes for different external load-lifting operations

Occupational health and safety issues applicable to operations, aircraft and personnel safety

Correct aerial delivery equipment configuration

External load-lifting emergency procedures

Approach and overshoot considerations

External load-lifting verbal/non-verbal communication procedures

External load safety and configuration

External load-lifting risk assessment principles

Organisational policies and procedures for load-lifting operations

Practices concerning external load-lifting operations

Procedures and protocols for the use of communication systems during an emergency

Typical problems that may occur when conducting external load-lifting operations and appropriate action and solutions

Required skills:

Perform external load-lift operations

Complete aerial delivery equipment assembly

Use communication skills for helicopter control

Determine wind speed and direction

Operate aerial delivery equipment

Perform weight calculations

Apply external load-lifting risk assessment principles

Interpret and follow flight and operational manuals and safety policies

Read and interpret instructions and procedures relevant to the conducting load-lifting operations

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Complete documentation related to work activities when conducting load-lifting operations

Identify and use required communication technology

Work collaboratively with others when conducting load-lifting operations

Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions that may occur when conducting external load-lifting operations in accordance with workplace procedures

Implement contingency plans for unanticipated situations that may arise when conducting external load-lifting operations

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during the conducting of external load-lifting operations

Plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements

Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

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

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

Operate and adapt to differences in communication equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

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

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


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.

Aircraft may include:

single or multiple engine

rotary wing

Aircraft publications may include:

checklists

flight manuals

organisational policy and procedures manuals

aviation maintenance documentation

Work environment may include:

by day or by night

over land or over sea

Prepared or Unprepared Helicopter Landing Sites

Load-lifting emergencies may include:

inadvertent release

load instability

helicopter electrical/mechanical failure and/or malfunction

cargo hook electrical/mechanical release mechanism failure

intercom failure

Loads may include:

replenishment stores

operational equipment

vehicles

other aircraft

trailers

plant equipment

cargo nets

Load characteristics may include:

dangerous goods

non-dangerous

size

weight

rigging

dimensions

fragility

Aerial delivery equipment may include:

lifting slings

chains

pendant assemblies

palnets

strops

swivel assemblies

cargo nets

shackles

fire-fighting buckets

'D' rings

clevis assemblies

hooks

single link assemblies

semi-rigid strops

drogue chutes

rigging cordage

Helicopter safety hazards may include:

man-made structures

smoke

meteorological conditions

terrain

other aircraft

flora

fauna

ship structures and rigging

ship movements

Locations and surrounds may include:

Helicopter Landing Site

Unprepared Helicopter Landing Site

Aircraft publications may include:

checklists

flight manuals

organisational policy and procedures manuals

aviation maintenance documentation

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


Sectors

Not applicable.


Competency Field

Y - Aircraft Operation and Traffic Management


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.