This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to control a helicopter in normal flight, in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and national operating standards.

It includes climbing a helicopter, maintaining straight and level flight, descending a helicopter, and turning a helicopter. It also includes controlling a helicopter at any speed, performing circuits and approaches, and complying with airspace requirements.

This unit addresses aviation technical skill requirements (physical, mental and task-management abilities) related to aircraft operational duties of flight crew, 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 

Climb helicopter 

1.1

Adjustments are made to attitude and power to achieve an increase of altitude at normal, maximum rate (V_Y), maximum angle (V_X) and cruise climb flight configurations from straight and level flight

1.2

Appropriate altimeter settings are set

1.3

Helicopter is maintained in balanced flight during adjustments to attitude and power

1.4

Power is maintained as altitude increases

1.5

Helicopter is levelled off from climb at nominated altitude

1.6

Lookout is maintained during climb using a systematic scan technique at a rate determined by traffic density, visibility and terrain

1.7

Situational awareness is maintained

2 

Maintain straight and level flight 

2.1

Attitude and power are adjusted to achieve a constant height, heading and speed while remaining in balanced flight

2.2

Lookout is maintained using a systematic scan technique at a rate determined by traffic density, visibility or terrain

2.3

Natural horizon is used as primary attitude reference

2.4

Altitude is maintained within allocated height band

3 

Descend helicopter 

3.1

Attitude and power are adjusted to enter and maintain a descent from straight and level flight

3.2

Helicopter is levelled from a descent at a nominated altitude

3.3

Lookout is maintained using a systematic scan technique at a rate determined by traffic density, visibility or terrain

3.4

Clearance ahead and below is maintained

3.5

Air traffic control (ATC) altitude restrictions are observed

3.6

Design limits are not exceeded during helicopter descent

3.7

Appropriate altimeter settings are set

3.8

Situation awareness is maintained at all times during helicopter descent

4 

Turn helicopter 

4.1

Attitude and power are adjusted to enter and maintain turns at varying rates from level, climbing and descending flight to achieve nominated tracks

4.2

Helicopter is rolled out from the turn to achieve nominated heading or geographical feature alignment

4.3

Helicopter balance and trim are ensured as required

4.4

Lookout is maintained in direction of turn and above or below using a systematic scan technique at a rate determined by traffic density, visibility and terrain

4.5

Engine operating limits are not exceeded

5 

Control helicopter at any speed 

5.1

Attitude and power are adjusted, accelerated or decelerated to manoeuvre helicopter at any specified airspeed within the flight envelope while maintaining balanced flight

5.2

Height awareness is maintained at all times and appropriate adjustments are made as required

5.3

Wind conditions are monitored and appropriate allowance is made

5.4

Helicopter is suitably controlled to ensure it is operated within its design limits

6 

Perform circuits and approaches 

6.1

Circuits are joined and conducted in accordance with aeronautical information publication (AIP) and/or local procedures at normal and low altitude appropriate to the helicopter type

6.2

Due allowance is made for wind and all appropriate checklist items are completed when performing circuits and approaches

6.3

Radiotelephone procedures are followed during circuit operations

6.4

Approach path applicable to helicopter type is intercepted and maintained while remaining clear of other traffic

6.5

Lookout is maintained during circuits and approaches using a systematic scan technique at a rate determined by traffic density, visibility and terrain

6.6

Conflicting traffic is recognised and appropriate responses are made

6.7

Right of way rules are applied and compliance with these rules is maintained

6.8

Weather conditions are monitored and appropriate responses are made

6.9

Fuel status is monitored and appropriate responses are made

6.10

Helicopter approach is conducted to establish hover or to conduct a landing at the nominated termination point

7 

Comply with airspace requirements 

7.1

Suitable aeronautical charts are interpreted and used to maintain airspace compliance requirements

7.2

Circuit departure is performed

7.3

Helicopter is maintained within a specified area and/or track while complying with air traffic requirements, controlled or restricted airspace conditions or limitations and reacting to factors that affect the safe progress of a flight

7.4

Orientation is maintained to geographical features with the aid of suitable charts and maps

7.5

Circuit join is performed

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

• adapting to differences in equipment and operating environment in accordance with standard operating procedures
• applying precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards
• applying relevant helicopter aeronautical knowledge
• applying relevant legislation and workplace procedures
• communicating effectively with others when controlling helicopter in normal flight
• completing relevant documentation
• identifying and correctly using relevant equipment
• implementing contingency plans
• implementing work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures and relevant regulations
• interpreting and following operational instructions and prioritise work
• modifying activities depending on workplace contingencies, situations and environments
• monitoring and anticipating operational problems and hazards and taking appropriate action
• monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule
• operating electronic communications equipment to required protocol
• reading, interpreting and following relevant regulations, instructions, procedures, information and signs
• reporting and/or rectifying identified problems promptly, in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures
• selecting and using relevant controls, including throttle, rotor controls, anti-torque pedals and collective and cyclic pitch controls
• selecting and using required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and WHS/OHS standards
• setting local or area barometric pressure adjusted for sea level (QNH) at appropriate stages of flight
• solving problems associated with controlling a helicopter in normal flight
• turning a helicopter with the following parameters:

• level turns
• climbing turns with 20° bank angle
• powered descending turn with 30° bank angle

• using instruments to monitor helicopter performance
• working collaboratively with others when controlling helicopter in normal flight
• 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 and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

• application of a height/velocity diagram/graph
• application of heading and track
• CASR Part 61 Manual of Standards Schedule 3 Aeronautical Knowledge relevant to aeroplane or helicopter operations
• cause and effects of retreating blade stall
• circuit patterns and procedures
• circumstances and procedures for the use of carburettor heat
• conditions leading to loss of tail rotor/anti-torque control during descent
• dangers of wind shear, turbulence and wake turbulence
• effect of turning and acceleration on magnetic compass accuracy
• forces and moments acting on a helicopter and precautions to manage their effects
• functions, and primary and secondary effects of all helicopter controls
• hazards and risks when controlling a helicopter in normal flight and precautions for controlling the risks:

• in a climb
• in a turn
• in straight and level flight

• helicopter instruments and monitoring helicopter performance
• managing non-normal and emergencies in the circuit area
• principles of aerodynamics
• problems that may occur when controlling a helicopter in normal flight and appropriate action that should be taken in each case
• procedures for setting power in normally aspirated, turbocharger, supercharged or turbine engines
• procedures for the use of trim controls if appropriate
• recognition and avoidance of settling with power/vortex ring state
• relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Civil Aviation Orders
• relevant WHS/OHS and environmental procedures and regulations
• rotational and induced airflow
• theory and application of best rate and angle of climb
• use of instruments to monitor helicopter performance and significance of colour coding
• vortex ring state
• wind shear, turbulence and wake turbulence.

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 processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

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

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.