This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to perform helicopter deck landing operations, in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and national operating standards.

It includes planning deck landing operations, conducting pre-flight briefings for deck landing operations, and taking off and transiting to and from a vessel. It also includes approaching and landing on vessel helidecks, taking off and climbing out from vessel helidecks, and managing abnormal and emergency situations during deck landing operations.

This unit addresses aviation technical skill requirements (physical, mental and task-management abilities) related to aircraft operational duties of flight crew, 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

Plan deck landing operations

1.1

Tasking requirements are identified

1.2

Crew, role equipment and safety equipment necessary to ensure safe achievement of task are determined

1.3

Helicopter is certified for task in accordance with regulations and workplace procedures

1.4

Outbound and return flight loading and flight routes are planned

1.5

Security and care of passengers and/or equipment for deck landing operations are planned

2

Conduct pre-flight briefings for deck landing operations

2.1

Flight/ground crews and other relevant stakeholders are briefed on allocated duties

2.2

Weather suitability is determined and confirmed against workplace procedures and limitations

2.3

Briefs/self-briefs for deck landing operations are performed

3

Take off and transit to and from vessel

3.1

Appropriate take-off and departure configurations are selected

3.2

Helicopter is navigated to the rendezvous

3.3

Information regarding identified vessel’s ability to receive aircraft is obtained

3.4

Vessel is instructed to manoeuvre to achieve optimum deck conditions for landing

3.5

Relative wind, ship pitch and roll information, hover heading and helideck location are obtained and acceptability is confirmed

3.6

Pre-descent checks are completed

3.7

Descent profile and circuit pattern are determined

4

Approach and land on vessel helideck

4.1

Control manipulation, instrument scan and visual cues are used to manoeuvre aircraft safely during approach and landing

4.2

Night interception of glide slope is carried out as required

4.3

Touch-down point and reference markers are identified and confirmed

4.4

Constant angle approach and landing is performed

4.5

Safe termination of approach and stable hover over helideck is performed

4.6

Helideck landing is performed

5

Take off and climb out from vessel helideck

5.1

Safety and security during deck operations is managed

5.2

Stable hover over deck is established

5.3

Obstacles are identified and avoided

5.4

Instrument take-off under no horizon conditions is performed

5.5

Instrument climb-out procedure is performed

6

Manage abnormal and emergency situations during deck landing operations

6.1

Abnormal and/or emergency situations are identified and confirmed

6.2

Helicopter is controlled to maintain safe flight

6.3

Abnormal or emergency situations are managed in accordance with workplace procedures, and aircraft flight manual (AFM)/pilot’s operating handbook (POH)

6.4

Aborted approach from final approach is performed

6.5

Ditching and underwater escape procedures are applied as required

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

adapting to differences in equipment and operating environment in accordance with standard operating procedures

applying relevant helicopter aeronautical knowledge

applying reporting procedures for identified problems

approaching and landing on vessel helideck

briefing deck landing operational requirements to relevant stakeholders:

helideck location and configuration

helideck markings

vessel configuration

obstructions

hazards associated with deck landing operations (ship movement, engine salt ingestion, wind direction and velocity, pitch, roll limitations)

crash on deck procedures

landing and take-off procedures

lighting signals

marshalling signals

aircraft securing procedures

communications procedures

transit route to and from ship

approach and departure procedures

ditching procedures

emergency situations (e.g. fire, engine/transmission/aircraft system malfunctions)

location and operation of survival equipment

aircraft evacuation procedures (on ditching)

communicating effectively with others

completing relevant documentation

following relevant legislation and workplace procedures

identifying and assessing, vertical, horizontal and relative spatial distances in relation to aircraft fuselage, rotor system, mission and/or operational stores and equipment with regard to potential obstacles to flight safety

identifying and correctly using relevant equipment

identifying and justifying a decision to operate a helicopter during deck landing operations

implementing contingency plans

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

interpreting hover performance and power available/power required from graphs/charts

managing abnormal and emergency situations during deck landing operations:

crash on deck

ditching procedures (simulated)

emergency situations (e.g. fire, engine/transmission/aircraft system malfunctions)

fouled/obstructed landing deck

loss of communications

loss of visual aids or landing references

modifying activities depending on workplace contingencies, situations and environments

monitoring and anticipating operational problems and hazards and taking appropriate action

monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule

operating electronic communications equipment to required protocol

reading, interpreting and following relevant regulations, instructions, procedures, information and signs

selecting and using required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and WHS/OHS standards

setting local or area barometric pressure adjusted for sea level (QNH) at appropriate stages of flight

solving problems associated with operating a helicopter during deck landing operations

using instruments to monitor helicopter performance during deck landing operations

working collaboratively with others

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

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

aircraft evacuation procedures

aircraft performance calculations (for all phases of flight)

basic global navigation satellite system (GNSS) principles

CASR Part 61 Manual of Standards Schedule 3 Aeronautical Knowledge relevant to helicopter operations

communication procedure and terminology applicable to deck landing operations

control effectiveness in all phases of flight

dead-reckoning navigation

deck landing operational requirements:

helideck location and configuration

helideck markings

vessel configuration

obstructions

hazards associated with deck landing operations (ship movement, engine salt ingestion, wind direction and velocity, pitch, roll limitations)

crash on deck procedures

landing and take-off procedures

lighting signals

marshalling signals

aircraft securing procedures

communication procedures

transit route to and from ship

approach and departure procedures

ditching procedures

emergency situations (e.g. fire, engine/transmission/aircraft system malfunctions)

location and operation of survival equipment

aircraft evacuation procedures (on ditching)

diversion considerations and procedures

effects of excessive vessel movement on aircraft serviceability

en route GNSS navigation principles

engine performance checks for helicopter type to be flown

functions and effects of all aircraft controls and instruments

hazards that exist when controlling an aircraft during deck landing operations

helicopter dimensions

helideck markings

in a Defence context, relevant Defence Orders and Instructions

lighting and marshalling signals

maximum payload and minimum fuel operations

navigation techniques for extended over-water flights

operation of night vision devices

planning and briefing requirements for helicopter deck landing operations

post flight debriefing techniques

principles of aerodynamics

relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Civil Aviation Orders

relevant WHS/OHS and environmental procedures and regulations

survival equipment location and operation

survival skills post ditching

vessel movement limitations.

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 processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

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

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.