This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to perform wireman duties, in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and national operating standards.

It includes preparing for recovery or deployment and recovering/deploying equipment and personnel.

This unit addresses aviation technical skill requirements (physical, mental and task-management abilities) related to equipment and system operations of flight or ground operations personnel, 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 

Prepare for recovery/ 
deployment 

1.1

Personal safety equipment is inspected, donned, connected and checked

1.2

Hoisting equipment and/or personnel to be hoisted are prepared, inspected, connected and checked

1.3

Personnel to be hoisted are briefed as required

2 

Recover/deploy equipment/ 
personnel 

2.1

Hand signals are used as required

2.2

Positive control of equipment and personnel is maintained during ascent and descent

2.3

Assistance for personnel is provided as required in hoisting operations

2.4

Assistance for personnel is provided as required in abnormal/emergency hoisting operation situations

2.5

Disconnection of equipment and personnel is conducted in accordance with organisational policy and procedures

2.6

Cable is earthed prior to completing descent

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

Hoisting equipment must include one or more of the following:

• double lift harness
• emergency slings
• extension strop
• hi-line transfer equipment
• rescue litter
• rescue net
• rescue strop
• rope harness sling
• single rescue sling
• stretchers
• transfer equipment and message bag

Preparing hoisting equipment and/or personnel must include:

• assistance in the donning personal equipment
• securing of items/loads/personnel

Hand signals must include one or more of the following:

• aircraft go around
• all clear
• boom in/out
• cease movement
• come up/down
• emergency descent
• hoist in/out
• hoist up/down
• move left/right
• ready to be hoisted
• stop hoisting

Environment for hoisting operations must include one or more of the following:

• bushfire affected areas
• confined areas
• forest/bush
• mountainous areas
• over land
• over water
• pinnacles
• ship/boat transfers

Abnormal/emergency situation must include one or more of the following:

• aircraft malfunction
• aircraft system failure
• communications equipment failure
• electrical/mechanical failure
• fouled cable
• fouled hoist
• hoist equipment malfunction
• hoistee incapacitation
• intercom system failure during hoisting operations
• operator incapacitation
• runaway hoist

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 aircraft safety procedures when performing wireman duties:

• preparing for flight operations
• operating around aircraft
• implementing aviation safety emergency procedures

• applying precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards
• applying relevant legislation and workplace procedures
• communicating effectively with others
• completing hoisting recovery equipment operations
• completing relevant documentation
• giving and receiving instructions related to performing wireman duties
• identifying and using required communications technology
• implementing contingency plans
• implementing work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures and relevant regulations
• interpreting and following operational instructions and prioritising work
• maintaining situational awareness
• modifying activities depending on operational contingencies, risk situations and environments
• monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule
• operating and adapting to differences in communications equipment
• performing equipment assembly
• performing hoisting operations in at least one of the following environments:

• bushfire affected areas
• confined areas
• forest/bush
• mountainous areas
• over land
• over water
• pinnacles
• ship/boat transfers

• planning own work, predicting consequences and identifying improvements
• reading, interpreting and following relevant regulations, instructions, procedures, information and signs
• reporting and rectifying any identified problems, faults or malfunctions promptly
• using verbal and non-verbal communication skills for signalling and briefing
• 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, performance criteria and range of conditions and include knowledge of:

• abnormal/emergency conditions and responses:

• aircraft actions
• individual actions

• aircraft flight control operation
• aircraft safety procedures:

• preparing for flight operations
• operating around aircraft
• implementing aviation safety emergency procedures

• approved operational procedures and processes for different hoisting operations
• communication skills for signalling and briefing
• correct hoist and equipment configuration
• hoist capabilities and limitations
• relevant Australian Standards
• relevant information/documentation:

• aeronautical information publication (AIP)
• approved checklists
• charts
• conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards
• flight manual/pilot operating handbook (POH)
• induction and training materials
• in a Defence context, relevant Defence Orders and Instructions
• operations manuals
• workplace procedures and instructions, and job specification

• relevant legislation and regulations:

• relevant Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASRs) and Civil Aviation Orders
• state/territory environmental protection legislation
• national and state/territory WHS/OHS

• organisational policy and procedures in relation to performing wireman duties
• personnel safety
• typical problems that may occur when performing wireman duties, actions and appropriate solutions
• WHS/OHS issues applicable to wireman operations.

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