This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to inspect and report on obstacle limitation surfaces (OLS), in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and national operating standards.

It includes performing a visual inspection of OLS, reporting obstacles in OLS and reporting the return of an aerodrome to the previous status.

This unit addresses aviation technical skill requirements (physical, mental and task-management abilities) related to aerodrome operations duties of ground operational 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 as a single operator or within a team 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 

Perform a visual inspection of OLS 

1.1

OLS are inspected visually and objects or structures that have or may become obstacles are identified

1.2

Obstacles in OLS are removed in accordance with workplace procedures

1.3

Where an obstacle cannot be removed, a determination for reporting, marking or lighting the obstacle is made in accordance with workplace procedures

2 

Report obstacles in OLS 

2.1

Where an obstacle cannot be removed, information required for calculating declared distances and supplementary take off distances is collated in accordance with workplace procedures

2.2

All relevant authorities or organisations are notified of the status of obstacles and declared distances for obstacles

2.3

All relevant authorities or organisations are notified of location of obstacles, where there is no requirement for reporting declared distances

2.4

All relevant authorities or organisations are notified of appropriate marking and lighting requirements using suitable means of communication

3 

Report return of aerodrome to previous status 

3.1

OLS are inspected visually to confirm removal of temporary obstacles

3.2

Relevant authorities or organisations are notified of removal of temporary obstacles, using suitable means of communication

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

Surfaces which comprise OLS must include:

• approach and take-off surfaces:

• baulked landing surfaces
• conical surface

• inner approach surface
• inner horizontal surface
• inner transitional surface
• outer horizontal surface
• transitional surface

Relevant authorities for accessing and reporting purposes must include:

• aerodrome:

• operator or delegated person
• users

• air traffic control (ATC)
• Australian Defence Force (ADF) aerodrome operators
• Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
• Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) office (i.e. Airservices Australia)

Declared distances must include:

• accelerate stop distance (ASDA)
• end of take-off distance available (TODA) gradient
• landing distance available (LDA)
• supplementary take-off distances (STODA) and associated gradients
• TODA
• take-off run available (TORA)

Suitable means of reporting must include:

• Method of Working Plan (MOWP)
• NOTAM
• verbal communications
• written communication via fax, email

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:

• adapting to differences in equipment and operating environment in accordance with workplace procedures
• applying relevant legislation and workplace procedures
• applying relevant systems (such as aerodrome safety management system [SMS]) and procedures to assess and/or mitigate risk
• communicating effectively with others
• completing relevant documentation
• identifying and correctly using equipment required to inspect and report on the obstacle limitation surfaces (OLS)
• implementing work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures and relevant regulations
• interpreting and following operational instructions and prioritising work
• modifying activities in accordance with 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
• selecting and using required personal protective equipment (PPE) conforming to industry and WHS/OHS standards
• 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:

• aerodrome layout, including access routes
• aircraft schedules and their use in inspecting and reporting on OLS
• different conditions for OLS inspections:

• all weather conditions
• day and night
• various forms of transport such as vehicle, other motorized/towed equipment
• variety of terrain conditions

• effects on the usability of the aerodrome caused by obstacles
• function of an aerodrome reporting officer (ARO) or a works safety officer (WSO) as defined in Manual of Standards (MOS) Part 139 – Aerodromes
• operation of airband radio equipment as used to communicate with air traffic control (ATC) and/or pilots
• people to notify about OLS inspection and reporting:

• aerodrome tenants/users
• airline personnel and managers
• ATC
• contractors
• emergency services personnel
• other aerodrome/workplace personnel and managers
• relevant technical staff
• safety personnel
• security personnel

• principles of shielding
• problems, safety hazards and risks that exist when inspecting and reporting on OLS and related risk assessment/management measures that may need to be taken
• relevant equipment used in inspecting and reporting on OLS:

• computer
• lights
• radio/s
• serviceability markers and cones (displaced threshold markers, dumb bell markers, glider markers, signal circle markers, unserviceability cones, unserviceability cross markers, work limit markers)
• telephone
• vehicle siren/loud speaker
• vehicle with flashing light

• reporting procedures
• relevant information/documents:

• aerodrome Drug and Alcohol Management Plan (DAMP)
• aerodrome manual
• aerodrome SMS, and safety/security policies and principles of risk assessment and risk management
• aerodrome operating procedures
• aeronautical information publication (AIP)
• AIP – En Route Supplement Australia (ERSA)
• airports legislation and airports (protection of airspace) regulations
• airline timetables
• airside driver’s handbook and/or airside driving requirements for the aerodrome
• Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASRs)
• conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards
• equipment manufacturer specifications for inspecting and reporting on OLS
• induction and training material
• Manual of Standards (MOS) Part 139 – Aerodromes
• Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)
• plans and maps
• workplace procedures for inspecting and reporting on OLS

• relevant legislative and regulatory requirements relating to inspecting and reporting on OLS as identified in:

• CASRs and MOS Part 139 – Aerodromes
• Defence Orders and Instructions
• environmental sustainability
• standards and recommended practices (SARPs) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
• workplace relations
• WHS/OHS and environmental, procedures and regulations including Drug and Alcohol Management Plan (DAMP)

• reporting procedures
• requirements for completing relevant documentation and/or incident reporting
• weather information and its implications for workplace operations
• workplace procedure for inspecting and reporting on the OLS.

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.