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), Night VFR; and aircraft control principles, regulations, safety codes, protocols and procedures required when operating a helicopter at low level and piloting a helicopter during winching operations.

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 of competency is nominally packaged a Certificate IV.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Plan winching operations

1.1 Tasking requirements are identified

1.2 Crew and equipment required to ensure safe achievement of task are determined

1.3 Helicopter performance data is interpreted and calculated to ensure suitability of aircraft for operations

1.4 Outbound and return flight routes are planned

1.5 Operations at winch site including obstructions, terrain and any factors that may adversely affect lift are planned

1.6 Security and care of passengers and/or equipment to be winched on board is planned

2Conduct pre-flight briefings for winching operations

2.1 Requirements of the winch operation are explained and confirmed

2.2 Location, terrain features (sea state as applicable) and forecast weather conditions are obtained and confirmed

2.3 Winch and role equipment is checked

2.4 Pilot and crew responsibilities and communication procedures are explained

2.5 Mode of lift (e.g. single strop lift, double lift, net deployment, etc.) is explained

2.6 Arrangements for care and security of passengers and/or equipment to be winched are explained

2.7 Winch emergency procedures are explained

3Operate the helicopter during winching operations

3.1 Adequacy of hover power margin and control limits to perform winching operations is checked and maintained

3.2 Site inspection, approach and hover heading are determined in accordance with operational requirements

3.3 Descent and approach is controlled to terminate over winch site (both land and water)

3.4 Control is applied to helicopter to maintain position over winch site

3.5 Winch limitations are observed

3.6 Cable fouling is avoided

3.7 Power is applied to lift external load

3.8 Safety and security of passengers and/or cargo is managed

4Manage abnormal and emergency situations during winching operations

4.1 Helicopter, passengers and load are controlled

4.2 Abnormal or emergency situations are identified and managed in accordance with workplace procedures and Flight Manual/Pilot's Operating Handbook

4.3 Load is jettisoned if/when appropriate

5Conduct post-flight briefings for winching operations

5.1 Operating procedures and outcomes of the flight are reviewed and analysed

5.2 Effectiveness, efficiency and performance of equipment is analysed and reported

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

In Defence context, relevant Defence Orders and Instructions

Engine performance checks for the helicopter type to be flown

Aircraft performance calculations (for all phases of flight)

Internal and external load limitations for the helicopter type to be flown

Winch limitations

Functions and effects of all aircraft controls and instruments

Principles of aerodynamics

Control effectiveness in all phases of flight

Hazards that exist and problems that can occur when operating an aircraft during winching operations

Helicopter dimensions

Communication procedure and terminology applicable to winching operations

Required skills:

Solve problems associated with the operation of a helicopter during winching operations

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

Maintain situational awareness

Use instruments to monitor helicopter performance during winching operations

Read and interpret instructions, procedures and information relevant to the operation of a helicopter during winching operations

Apply knowledge to the operation of a helicopter during winching operations

Identify and justify a decision to operate a helicopter during winching operations

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

Communicate effectively with others when operating a helicopter during winching operations

Complete documentation related to operating a helicopter during winching operations

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

Work collaboratively with others when operating a helicopter during winching operations

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

Apply reporting procedures for identified problems that may occur when operating a helicopter during winching operations

Implement contingency plans for unexpected events that may arise when operating a helicopter during winching operations

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist when a helicopter is performing winching operations

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 operating a helicopter during winching operations

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

planning winching operations including all sub-tasks

conducting pre-flight and post-flight winching operations briefing including all sub-tasks

operating the helicopter during winching operations including all sub-tasks

identifying and managing abnormal and emergency situations in accordance with workplace procedures and Flight Manual/Pilot's Operating Handbook

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 and Night VFR

Performance may be demonstrated in:

single engine helicopter

multi engine helicopter

single main rotor helicopter

multi main rotor helicopter

variable air traffic conditions

variable flight situations

abnormal situations

Performance may be demonstrated on a helicopter with:

fully functioning dual controls

an electronic intercom system

dual control brakes

wheeled and/or skidded undercarriages

Night VFR environment may include:

unaided

aided utilising night vision devices

Crew may include:

single pilot

multi crew

Hover control directions may include:

with crewman

without crewman

Limitations may be imposed by:

local noise abatement requirements and curfews

Checklists may include:

Flight Manual/Pilot's Operating Handbook

approach and landing

hover

Classes of airspace are:

those designated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

restricted and danger areas

Military control zones

Air Defence identification zones

Operational hazards during low level operations may include:

structures

other aircraft

loose objects

birds

engine salt ingestion

trees

dust

Guidance during low level operations may be provided by:

air traffic control instructions

light signals

aerodrome markings

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

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.