This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to navigate from an aircraft using visual techniques. It applies to personnel such as air observers, air attack supervisors and incendiary operations supervisors who are required to obtain accurate intelligence information of fire activity and control progress from an aircraft to support planning and operations.

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 flight

1.1

Incident and/or task information is obtained

1.2

Relevant maps and navigation equipment are gathered and checked

1.3

Information and navigation techniques are applied to plot position on map or navigation chart and to determine current location and destination, within accepted tolerances

1.4

Aircraft performance capabilities are considered

2

Determine and plan a safe flight route

2.1

Preliminary flight route is determined using available information

2.2

Assessment of hazards, topographical features and other considerations along proposed flight route and at destination is undertaken

2.3

Preliminary flight route is modified, in accordance with outcomes of hazard assessment

2.4

Records are prepared, in accordance with organisational requirements

2.5

Pilot is briefed on task requirements, planned flight route and relevant information, in accordance with organisational requirements

3

Navigate to destination

3.1

Pilot is directed to follow planned route, as required

3.2

Route plan and navigation aids are used to maintain compliance with planned route

3.3

Location is determined by identification with ground features

3.4

Current location is regularly verified within accepted tolerances

3.5

Amendments to flight route are undertaken, in accordance with changes in environmental factors, fire behaviour and operational requirements

3.6

Lost en route procedures are implemented, as required

3.7

Unanticipated difficulties are reported, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.8

En route and arrival reporting information is transmitted, in accordance with organisational procedures

4

Complete post navigational activities

4.1

Report is completed, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.2

Navigational equipment is maintained, 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.

environmental factors must include one or more of the following

fire behaviour

need to match transportation mode to terrain

time of day

Fire

Fire