This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to winch in and out of a helicopter when the degree of slope, nature of ground or presence of obstacles prohibits a safe landing or a hover-exit. It applies to personnel engaged in entering and exiting a helicopter via a winch.

The fire sector is those sections of government departments, statutory authorities or organisations that have responsibility under jurisdictional arrangements for the delivery of firefighting and fire management services.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare for winch-exit operations

1.1

Equipment appropriate to helicopter winch operations is selected and prepared, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

1.2

Appropriate clothing and equipment is selected and worn during winch operations, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

1.3

Pre-flight checks on clothing and equipment are undertaken, in accordance with organisational procedures

1.4

Damage to firefighting and safety equipment is reported to the supervisor for repair, replacement or disposal

1.5

Pre-flight aircraft safety and winch briefings are obtained from pilot or flight crew and is acted upon

2

Load winch personnel and equipment into helicopter

2.1

Firefighting equipment and personnel are assembled, weighed and recorded

2.2

Pilot is informed of equipment and personnel weights

2.3

Equipment is loaded into helicopter and secured under supervision of pilot or flight crew

2.4

Personnel are secured in seatbelts, in accordance with organisational procedures and instructions

2.5

Instructions are obtained from pre-mission briefing and clarification of objectives and procedures is sought, as required

2.6

Pre-flight safety briefing is obtained from pilot or flight crew

3

Prepare to winch-exit from helicopter

3.1

Following clearance from pilot, instructions are received to prepare for exit

3.2

Winch cable is attached and checked, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

3.3

Pre-descent checks are conducted, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

3.4

Seat belt is released and then re-secured, in accordance with organisational procedures and instructions received from flight crew

3.5

Movement towards helicopter door and assumption of winching position is undertaken, in accordance with organisational procedures and instructions

3.6

Clearance is obtained from the pilot to commence winch-exit

3.7

Emergency procedures are conducted, as required

3.8

Emergency commands are responded to, in accordance with organisational procedures

4

Winch-exit from helicopter

4.1

Winch-exit operations are undertaken and conducted, in accordance with organisational procedures and Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements

4.2

Actions are undertaken to minimise uncommanded movement and spinning or swaying during descent to ground

4.3

Appropriate landing technique is selected and used, in accordance with ground and safety conditions

4.4

Winch equipment is detached and the all clear signal is communicated to pilot or flight crew when landing activity is complete

4.5

Assembly point for individuals and equipment is identified and reached, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.6

Emergency procedures are conducted, as required

4.7

Emergency commands are responded to, in accordance with organisational procedures

5

Winch on board helicopter

5.1

Individuals and equipment are located at nominated assembly point in preparation for winching on board

5.2

Winching equipment is donned and attached to winch cable and all clear signal is communicated to flight crew, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.3

Actions to minimise uncommanded movement and spinning or swaying during ascent of the helicopter are undertaken, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.4

Movement on board the helicopter and towards seat is undertaken, in accordance with organisational procedures and instructions

5.5

Seat belts are secured, until clearance is obtained to commence movement within the helicopter, in accordance with organisational, safe work practices and instructions from flight crew

5.6

Winch cable is detached under instruction and handed to flight crew

5.7

Seat belts remain secured until helicopter has landed and clearance is obtained to commence movement

6

Perform maintenance on equipment

6.1

Equipment is inspected and maintenance is performed, in accordance with organisational procedures and/or manufacturers' guidelines

6.2

Damage to equipment is reported to supervisor for repair, replacement or disposal

6.3

Maintenance or damage to equipment is documented and reported, in accordance with organisational procedures

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

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