This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to develop engineering solutions for air surveillance apparatus and systems in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and national operating standards.

It includes working safely, interpreting diagrams, applying logical engineering solution methods of air surveillance apparatus and systems, conducting safety inspections and functional testing, and completing the necessary service documentation.

Permits may be required for some work environments, such as confined spaces, working aloft, near live electrical apparatus and site rehabilitation.

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

Identify air surveillance apparatus and system problems

1.1

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and workplace procedures for a given work area are identified and applied

1.2

Operational safety workplace procedures for air surveillance work areas are obtained and applied

1.3

WHS/OHS risk control measures and workplace procedures are followed in preparation for work activities

1.4

Safety hazards that have not previously been identified are documented on job safety assessments, risks assessed and control measures devised and implemented in consultation with appropriate person/s

1.5

Extent of air surveillance apparatus problems is determined from reports, diagrams, relevant documentation and discussions with appropriate person/s

1.6

Appropriate person/s is consulted to ensure the work activity is coordinated effectively with others

1.7

Tools, equipment, inspection and testing devices needed to provide engineering diagnosis are obtained in accordance with workplace procedures and checked for correct operation and safety

2

Provide air surveillance apparatus and systems engineering solution

2.1

WHS/OHS risk control measures and workplace procedures for carrying out work activities are followed

2.2

Need to inspect, test and measure live work is determined in accordance with WHS/OHS requirements and conducted within workplace safety procedures

2.3

Circuits/machines/plant are checked and isolated in accordance with WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures

2.4

Logical diagnostic methods are applied to provide engineering solutions to problems in air surveillance apparatus and systems using measurements and estimations of system operating parameters with reference to system operational requirements

2.5

Suspected air surveillance problem scenarios are tested to determine the source of system problems

2.6

Source of the fault is identified and an appropriately competent person/s engaged to rectify the fault in accordance with workplace procedures

2.7

Problems in the electronic components of the system are rectified in accordance with air surveillance and observation system operation standards

2.8

Air surveillance system is inspected and tested to verify that the system operates as intended and to specified requirements

2.9

Unplanned situations are responded to in accordance with workplace procedures in a manner that minimises risk to personnel and equipment

2.10

Decisions for dealing with unexpected situations are made from discussions with appropriate persons and job specifications and requirements

2.11

Rectification activities are carried out efficiently without waste of materials or damage to apparatus, the surrounding environment or services using sustainable energy practices

3

Complete and report air surveillance apparatus and system engineering solution activities

3.1

WHS/OHS work completion risk control measures and workplace procedures are followed

3.2

Worksite is made safe in accordance with workplace safety procedures

3.3

Engineering solutions for air surveillance apparatus and systems are documented in accordance with workplace procedures

3.4

Appropriate person/s is notified in accordance with workplace procedures that the system faults have been rectified

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

applying logical diagnostic methods

using test equipment to test the apparatus and system

identifying problems and competency needed to provide solutions

implementation of solutions

verifying that the system operates correctly

documenting engineering solutions

dealing with unplanned events

applying sustainable energy principles and practices

creating test scenarios in developing engineering solutions for air surveillance apparatus and systems

performing radar spectrum check

providing solutions in air surveillance apparatus and systems.

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

electronic communications air surveillance systems, including:

basic radar principles encompassing:

requirement of surveillance to support efficient, safe and effective air traffic control (ATC) operations

aircraft aspects

basic radar history

electromagnetic waves

radiation hazards and work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) considerations

radar principles of operation

types of radar and radar block diagram

main inputs and outputs for designated blocks of a given diagram

requirement for redundancy

go/no-go concept

radar performance limitations

different types of radar self- testing

surveillance- original environment and developing environment

surveillance users

radar locations and radar coverage map

principles of operation of a primary surveillance radar (PSR) encompassing:

purpose of a PSR

principles of radar blind speed and measures to overcome this

why radars use pulse compression and the types of modulation used

diversity operation is used in Primary radars

radiation pattern for a ‘cosec2’ and slotted waveguide antenna

radars use high / low coverage

features of primary radars currently in service

principles of operation of a classical secondary surveillance radar (SSR) encompassing:

similarities and differences between PSR and SSR

requirement to use wobbulation

relevant International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) (Annex 10) specifications

modes of operation

transponder special replies and their functions

SSR radiation patterns

reasons for "No Reply" from an aircraft

definition of garbling

definition of false replies unsynchronised in time (FRUIT)

function of a site monitor

advantages and disadvantages of SSR over primary radar

features of classical SSRs

principles of operation of a mode S SSR encompassing:

improvements mode S has over classical SSR

ICAO requirements relating to the use of aircraft addresses and interrogator codes

purposes of all-call and roll-call interrogations

principles of acquiring aircraft

users of mode S transponders quitter

protocols used to reduce FRUIT

principles of all-call lockouts and lockout overrides

requirement for classical SSR and mode S SSR compatibility

benefits to a controller of using elementary and enhanced surveillance

features of mode S SSRs

principles of operation of radar track processors encompassing:

function of radar track processor currently in service

principles of operation of radar remote control monitoring system (RCMS):

requirement for RCMS

RCMS network layouts

principles of operation of air defence system (ADS) encompassing:

principles of operation of ADS-B

aircraft data transmitted by ADS-B

aircraft ADS-B transmission rates

principles of operation of ADS-C

principles of operation of multilateration (MLAT) encompassing:

introduction, definition and history of MLAT

TDOA concepts

airport/local area concept

airborne/wide area concept

data and identification

surveillance strategies

MLAT coverage

principles of operation of MLAT

message formats used by MLAT systems

similarities and differences between MLAT and ADS-B systems

principles of surveillance track messages encompassing:

requirement for duplicated data paths

ATS centre processing and displaying of surveillance tracks

contents of data messages sent from radar sites

contents of data messages sent from ADS-B radar sites

principles of airborne collision avoidance system (ACAS)/traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) encompassing:

purpose and types of ACAS/TCAS

function of ACAS/TCAS

how ACAS/TCAS acquires and tracks aircraft

ICAO requirements with respect to complying with RAs

performance characteristics and checks encompassing:

measurement of radar performance

measurement of radar pulse shape/timing check

measurement of radar transmitter frequency

performing radar spectrum check

identification of radar performance with or outside documented performance limits

relevant apparatus manufacturer specifications

relevant Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) national operating standards, and workplace policies and procedures

relevant job safety assessments or risk mitigation processes

relevant WHS/OHS requirements

relevant workplace documentation.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

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.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulations

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry

resources that reflect current industry practices in relation to providing engineering solutions for air surveillance apparatus and systems

applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, equipment specifications, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

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 UEE Electrotechnology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Diagnosing and rectifying engineering solutions in air surveillance and observation systems must include at least the following:

two engineering solutions in two of the following:

primary surveillance radar (PSR)

secondary surveillance radar (SSR)

mode S SSR

radar track processors

radar remote control monitoring system (RCMS)

air defence system (ADS)

multilateration (MLAT)

surveillance track messages

airborne collision avoidance system (ACAS)/traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS)

Electrotechnology

Electronics and Communications