This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to navigate remote pilot aircraft systems (RPAS), in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and national operating standards.

It includes preparing charts and flight plans, complying with airspace procedures, conducting departure procedures, and maintaining RPAS in operational areas. It also includes navigating RPAS in visual line of sight, applying lost link and radio communication procedures, and executing arrival procedures.

This unit addresses aviation technical skill requirements (physical, mental and task-management abilities) related to route planning and navigation duties of aviation 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 remote pilot aircraft (RPA) 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 charts and flight plan 

1.1

Suitable maps, aeronautical charts and weather briefings for intended operation are selected and flight plan is prepared

1.2

Pre-operations information and Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) is accessed, analysed and applied to flight plan

1.3

Hazards are clearly indicated on charts and risk controls are implemented

1.4

Effects of wind velocity, adverse environmental conditions and contingency actions are planned for

2 

Comply with airspace procedures 

2.1

Air traffic clearances are accessed and compliance with air traffic regulations is maintained

2.2

Airspace procedures and protocols are followed

2.3

Entrance into controlled airspace is undertaken by direction of controlling authorities

3 

Conduct departure procedures 

3.1

Remote pilot station is organised and essential information is accessed

3.2

Departure administration tasks and communications are conducted

3.3

Orientation to ground level is maintained

3.4

Control of RPAS is given precedence over conducting navigation and communication tasks

3.5

Situational awareness and lookout is maintained using a systematic scan technique

3.6

Local and published noise abatement requirements and curfews are observed

3.7

Separation with other air traffic is maintained

4 

Maintain RPAS in operational area 

4.1

Planned route is followed

4.2

Communication tasks are completed

4.3

RPAS endurance is monitored and energy reserve needs are revised

4.4

Pre-descent or navigation turning point checks are executed

4.5

Air traffic separation is maintained at all times

4.6

RPAS is controlled

4.7

Deteriorating visual meteorological conditions are recognised and appropriate RPAS corrective actions are taken

4.8

Situational awareness and lookout is undertaken using a systematic scan technique

5 

Navigate RPAS within visual line of sight 

5.1

Visual line of sight of RPAS is maintained at all times

5.2

Awareness of current and forecast weather conditions is maintained

5.3

Systematic scan technique is implemented at all times

5.4

Hazards and threats are identified and appropriately controlled

5.5

Effects of wind velocity, adverse environmental conditions and contingency actions are responded to as required

5.6

Situational awareness is maintained at all times

6 

Apply lost link procedure 

6.1

Lost link profile and routing is prepared and validated

6.2

Fail-safe mechanism is reviewed and activated as required

7 

Apply lost radio communication procedure 

7.1

Lost radio communications procedure and profile are prepared and validated

7.2

Back-up radio or alternate communication means are confirmed as required

8 

Execute arrival procedures 

8.1

Arrivals procedures are executed

8.2

Lookout is maintained using a systematic scan technique

8.3

Situational awareness is maintained at all times

8.4

Local and published noise abatement requirements and curfews are observed

8.5

Separation with air traffic is maintained

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

Navigation of RPAS tasks must include one or more of the following:

• visual line of sight (VLOS)
• visual meteorological conditions
• extended line of sight (E-LOS)

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 standard operating procedures
• applying aviation risk management processes to remote pilot aircraft systems operations
• applying precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards
• applying relevant aviation legislation and workplace procedures
• applying relevant remote pilot aircraft systems aeronautical knowledge
• identifying and correctly using relevant equipment
• implementing contingency plans
• implementing work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures and relevant regulations
• maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements
• modifying activities depending on workplace contingencies, situations and environments
• monitoring and anticipating operational problems and hazards and taking appropriate action
• monitoring RPAS endurance
• monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule
• operating radio communications equipment to required protocol
• performing navigational functions within the parameters of applicable regulations, orders and operations manual procedures
• reading, interpreting and following relevant regulations, instructions, procedures, information and signs
• reporting and/or rectifying problems, faults or malfunctions promptly, in accordance with workplace procedures
• selecting and using required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and WHS/OHS standards
• sourcing and interpreting aviation weather forecast products and services as appropriate
• utilising aviation safety management systems during RPAS operations
• working collaboratively with others when navigating remote pilot aircraft (RPA)
• 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:

• aeronautical decision-making processes
• air navigation techniques applicable to RPAS operations
• characteristics of different visual chart types
• chart reading techniques
• controlled airspace requirements
• effective communication
• error management, including error types, causes and consequences
• factors affecting RPAS endurance
• human performance and its limitations, including the senses, memory and situational awareness as relevant to RPAS operations
• identification and navigational tolerances of control area (CTA), control zone (CTR), prohibited, restricted and danger (PRD) areas
• limitations of RPAS navigation systems
• potential impacts of specific weather phenomena on RPAS operations
• principles of operation of RPAS navigation systems
• relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASRs) and Civil Aviation Orders applicable to RPAS operations
• relevant WHS/OHS and environmental procedures and regulations
• risk management processes applicable to RPAS operations
• stress, workload and time pressure management.

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.