AVIY4055A
Conduct airborne extraction operations

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required by airborne extraction supervisors to conduct personnel airborne extraction 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 (CASA) 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 helicopter and personnel for airborne extraction

1.1 Helicopter and extraction equipment are pre-flight checked to determine serviceability

1.2 Crew is briefed during mission brief

1.3 Extraction team leader is briefed in accordance with workplace procedures

1.4 Static ground rehearsals are conducted with personnel and equipment

2Prepare for airborne extraction

2.1 Extraction equipment is attached and checked for security

2.2 Extraction zone characteristics and dimensions are determined and calculated

2.3 Helicopter safety hazards are communicated using workplace procedures

2.4 Extraction checks are conducted prior to extraction equipment deployment

2.5 Wind speed and direction are communicated

2.6 Approach and overshoot paths are communicated

3Perform airborne extraction operations

3.1 Helicopter is directed to extraction point

3.2 Extraction equipment is deployed in accordance with workplace procedures

3.3 Personnel are directed to attach to extraction equipment in accordance with workplace procedures

3.4 Maintenance of aircraft position is communicated to pilot

3.5 Progress of extraction operation is communicated in accordance with workplace procedures

3.6 Personnel are directed to detach from extraction equipment

4Respond to airborne extraction emergencies and abnormal situations

4.1 Airborne extraction emergencies are identified, communicated and diagnosed in accordance with workplace procedures

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

Required Skills

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Required knowledge:

Regulations, legislation, organisational policy and procedures in relation to conducting airborne extraction operations

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

Approved operational procedures and processes for different airborne extraction operations

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

Airborne extraction verbal/non-verbal communication procedures

Helicopter capabilities and limitations as defined in aircraft publications/documentation

Airborne extraction equipment capabilities, correct configuration and limitations

Airborne extraction emergency procedures

Aircraft earthing procedures

Helicopter approach and overshoot considerations

Airborne extraction safety and configuration

Airborne extraction risk assessment principles

Typical problems that may occur when conducting airborne extraction operations and appropriate actions and solutions

Required skills:

Perform airborne extraction operations

Complete airborne extraction equipment pre-flight serviceability checks

Use communication skills for helicopter control

Determine wind speed and direction

Operate airborne extraction equipment

Perform weight calculations

Apply airborne extraction risk assessment principles

Interpret and follow flight and operational manuals and safety policies

Read, interpret and apply regulations, legislation, policies and procedures relevant to airborne extraction operations

Complete documentation related to work activities when conducting airborne extraction operations

Work collaboratively with others when conducting airborne extraction 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 airborne extraction operations in accordance with established procedures

Implement contingency plans for unanticipated situations that may arise when conducting airborne extraction operations

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist when conducting airborne extraction operations

Plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements

Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

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 established 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

following relevant legislation and workplace procedures

conducting serviceability pre-flight checks of helicopter and extraction equipment

briefing crew and extraction team leader in accordance with workplace procedures

attaching and security checking extraction equipment

determining and calculating extraction zone characteristics and dimensions

communicating helicopter safety hazards, wind speed and direction, approach and overshoot paths

communicating to pilot maintenance of aircraft position

directing personnel to attach and detach from extraction equipment in accordance with workplace procedures

communicating extraction operation progress in accordance with workplace procedures

identifying, communicating and diagnosing airborne extraction emergencies in accordance with workplace procedures

taking actions in a remedial and/or emergency situation in accordance with aircraft flight manuals, organisational policy and 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.

Aircraft may include:

single or multiple engine

single or multiple rotors

other airborne vehicles

Airborne extraction supervisor may include:

aircrewman

rescue crewman

airborne safety officer

loadmaster

observer

airborne team leader

chalk commander

Work environment may include:

by day or by night

over land or over sea

prepared or unprepared helicopter landing sites

Airborne extraction emergencies may include:

aircraft emergencies

extracted personnel unable to detach from rope

extraction equipment/extracted personnel snagged in trees/obstacles

extraction equipment malfunction

Extraction personnel characteristics may include:

beginners

advanced

size

weight

extraction equipment variations

Airborne extraction equipment may include:

rappelling harness

head protection

eye goggles

hearing protection

rappelling gloves

suspended extraction ropes

caving ladder

attachment devices

rappelling attachment device

Helicopter safety hazards may include:

man-made structures

smoke

meteorological conditions

terrain

other aircraft

flora

fauna

ship structures and rigging

ship movements

loss of visual reference

foreign object damage (FOD)

Locations and surrounds may include:

helicopter landing site

unprepared helicopter landing site

Depending 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

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

organisational policy and procedures manuals

aviation maintenance documentation

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.