Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate an aerobridge, including pre-positioning the aerobridge, docking with an aircraft on arrival and retracting the aerobridge upon departure. Types of aerobridges may vary from airport to airport and generic performance criteria provided in this unit may therefore need to be adapted, as required, to accommodate the operating procedures recommended by the manufacturers of the aerobridges concerned. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

Work must be carried out in accordance with workplace procedures and the relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant regulatory authorities.

Use for ADF Aviation is to be in accordance with relevant Defence Orders and Instructions and applicable CASA compliance.

Work is performed under some supervision usually within a team environment.

Work involves the application of operational procedures and safety regulations to the operation of aerobridges at relevant commercial airports across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian aviation industry.

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

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.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Pre-position aerobridge 

1.1 Key is turned to activate the aerobridge in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturers instructions

1.2 Appropriate checks are made to ensure roll-door is down and apron is clear in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

1.3 Where required, floodlights are activated in accordance with workplace procedures

1.4 The aerobridge is pre-positioned for aircraft type in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturers instructions

1.5 Roll-door is left in down position in readiness for aircraft arrival in accordance with regulatory requirements

1.6 Dock with aircraft

2 Open roll-door in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements in preparation for aircraft arrival 

2.1 After engine shutdown, aerobridge is manoeuvred towards the aircraft with the joystick in accordance with manufacturers instructions and workplace procedures for the type of aircraft being docked

2.2 Position of aerobridge is monitored and once in contact with aircraft, joystick is released

2.3 Aerobridge is placed on auto level in accordance with manufacturers instructions

2.4 Position is taken at aerobridge controls on arrival of the aircraft

2.5 Aerobridge safety strap is retracted in accordance with workplace procedures

2.6 Pre-operational checks of aerobridge are conducted in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturers instructions

2.7 Retract from aircraft

2.8 Aircraft door is opened and safety shoe positioned in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

3 Remove safety shoe and relocate in accordance with workplace procedures 

3.1 Aerobridge safety strap is positioned in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

3.2 Aerobridge is backed off aircraft at least 1800 mm using the joystick in accordance with manufacturers instructions and workplace procedures

3.3 Canopy is retracted

3.4 Canopy is lowered and locked into position in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturers instructions

3.5 Aerobridge is turned on in accordance with manufacturers instructions

3.6 Once aircraft has departed, the aerobridge's pre-position function is selected and the aerobridge is returned to PARK position

3.7 Roll-door is closed to down position in accordance with regulatory requirements

3.8 The aerobridge is turned off and the key is removed in accordance with manufacturers instructions and workplace procedures

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

This describes the essential knowledge and skills and their level required for this unit.

Required knowledge :

• Relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Civil Aviation Orders

• Relevant OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations

• Principles of aerobridge operation

• Features and differences in operating characteristics for various types of aerobridges in operation at Australian airports

• Workplace procedures for operating an aerobridge

• Manufacturers instructions for checking and operating an aerobridge

• Risks that exist when operating an aerobridge and related risk control procedures and precautions

• Problems that may occur when operating an aerobridge and appropriate action that should be taken in each case

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when operating an aerobridge

• Read and interpret instructions, regulations, procedures and other information relevant to an aerobridge

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to an aerobridge

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Work collaboratively with others when operating an aerobridge

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

• Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems that may occur when operating an aerobridge in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Implement contingency plans for unexpected events that may arise when operating an aerobridge

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist when operating an aerobridge

• Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

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

• Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

• Modify activities dependent on differing workplace contingencies, situations and environments

• Implement OH&S procedures and relevant regulations

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

• Identify and correctly use equipment required when operating an aerobridge

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

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:
• the underpinning 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 a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
• Resources for assessment include:
• 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:
• through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or
• in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

RANGE STATEMENT 

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

Aerobridge operation may be carried out:

• for aircraft types for which the aerobridge has been programmed
• in any allowable operating and weather conditions
• in accordance with enterprise and operational requirements

Performance may be demonstrated on:

• an operational aerobridge at an airport, and/or
• an approved aerobridge simulator

Persons consulted during aerobridge operation may include:

• cabin crew and flight crew members
• ground support staff
• technical staff

Dependent on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

• company procedures
• enterprise procedures
• organisational procedures
• established procedures
• standard operating procedures

Information/documents may include:

• sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Civil Aviation Orders relevant to aerobridge operation
• OH&S regulations
• workplace procedures and instructions and job specification
• aerobridge operational checklists
• emergency procedures
• flight schedules
• manufacturers specifications and instructions for the aerobridge being operated
• induction and training materials
• conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

• relevant Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Civil Aviation Orders
• relevant OH&S legislation
• environmental protection legislation
• relevant Australian Standards
• industrial relations and workplace compensation legislation

Competency Field 

W - Equipment and Systems Operations