Unit of competency details

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

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 the reporting, marking or lighting of 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 calculation of 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

This section describes the knowledge and skills required for this unit.

Required knowledge: 

• 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

• Operation of airband radio equipment as used to communicate with air traffic control (ATC) and/or pilots

• Principles of shielding

• Problems, safety hazards and risks that exist when inspecting and reporting on the 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 Safety Management System (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 Act 1996 and Airports (Protection of Airspace) Regulations

• airline timetables

• Airside Drivers 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 the OLS

• induction and training material

• Manual of Standards (MOS) Part 139 - Aerodromes

• Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs)

• plans and maps

• workplace procedures for inspecting and reporting on the OLS

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

• Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASRs) and Manual of Standards (MOS) Part 139

• Defence Orders and Instructions

• environmental sustainability

• standards and recommended practices (SARPs) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

• workplace relations

• work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (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

Required skills: 

• Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

• Adapt to differences in equipment and operating environment in accordance with workplace procedures

• Apply relevant systems (such as aerodrome SMS) and procedures to assess and/or mitigate risk that might arise during inspecting and reporting on the OLS

• Communicate effectively with others when inspecting and reporting on the OLS

• Complete documentation related to inspecting and reporting on the OLS

• Identify and correctly use equipment required to inspect and report on the OLS

• Implement WHS/OHS procedures and relevant regulations

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Modify activities according to contingencies, situations and environments

• Monitor and anticipate operational problems and hazards and take appropriate action

• Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Read and interpret instructions, regulations, procedures and other information relevant to inspecting and reporting on the OLS

• Report any obstacles in OLS of an aerodrome and when the aerodrome has been returned to its previous status

• Select and use required personal protective equipment (PPE) conforming to industry and WHS/OHS standards

• Work collaboratively with others when inspecting and reporting on OLS

• Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the Elements, Performance Criteria, Required Skills, Required Knowledge and include demonstration of applying:

• required knowledge and skills
• relevant legislation and workplace procedures
• other relevant aspects of the range statement

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Performance is demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

Resources for assessment include access to:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
• access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace.

In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Method of assessment 

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation.

As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests.

Practical assessment must occur in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Obstacles may include:

• existing objects or structures
• proposed objects or structures

And may occur within:

• movement area

• apron
• clearway
• markers, markings and aerodrome lighting
• runway and runway strip
• runway end safety area
• taxiway and taxiway strip

• OLS

Surfaces which comprise OLS 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

Workplace procedures may include:

• airside driving rules
• company procedures
• enterprise procedures
• organisational procedures
• standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Relevant authorities for accessing and reporting purposes include:

• aerodrome:

• operator or delegated person
• users

• air traffic control (ATC)
• Australian Defence Force Command for military bases
• Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
• NOTAM Office (Airservices Australia)

Aerodromes may include:

• certified aerodromes
• Defence aerodromes
• joint-user aerodromes
• registered aerodromes
• other (unclassified) aerodromes

Persons notified regarding the inspection and reporting of the OLS may include:

• 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

Declared distances include:

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

Suitable means of reporting may include:

• Method of Working Plan (MOWP)
• Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs)
• verbal communications
• written communication via fax, email

Workplaces may include:

• aerodrome environs
• airside
• entire aerodrome
• landside
• offices