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

It includes recovering the RPAS and managing an aborted/rejected recovery.

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

Recover RPAS 

1.1

RPAS is recovered at a controlled rate of descent

1.2

Directional control is maintained at all times

1.3

Bouncing of RPAS is minimised appropriately

1.4

RPAS is stopped within the available area

1.5

Post-recovery checks are performed in accordance with approved checklist, manufacturer instructions and workplace procedures

2 

Manage aborted/rejected recovery 

2.1

Situations requiring go-around/position hold are correctly identified

2.2

Go-around/position hold is performed in accordance with workplace requirements and regulatory requirements

2.3

Effective communication with relevant others is undertaken in accordance with workplace procedures, as required

2.4

Power is applied and RPAS is manoeuvred clear of the ground in accordance with workplace procedures, as required

2.5

Allowance for wind velocity is made during go-around/position hold, as required

2.6

Post recovery abort/rejection procedures are implemented in accordance with workplace procedures

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 legislation and workplace procedures
• carrying out correct procedures in a go-around/position hold
• communicating effectively with others when recovering remote pilot aircraft systems (RPAS
• exercising sound judgment when performing recovery procedures
• identifying and correctly using equipment required when recovering an RPAS
• implementing contingency plans
• implementing work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures and relevant regulations
• interpreting and following operational instructions and prioritising work
• 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 work activities in terms of planned schedule
• operating electronic communication equipment to required protocol
• reading, interpreting and following relevant regulations, instructions, procedures, information and signs
• recognising and responding to conditions leading to a go-around/position hold
• reporting and/or rectifying identified problems promptly, in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures
• selecting and using required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and WHS/OHS standards
• using instruments and displays to monitor RPAS performance
• working collaboratively with others when recovering RPAS
• 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 include knowledge of:

• aerodynamic forces involved during recovery, low speed flight and flare
• aeronautical decision making processes
• all required checklist items
• causes of loss of directional control during recovery
• effect of light, and sun on recovery management
• effect of wind on recovery performance
• effective communication
• error management, including error types, causes and consequences
• fatigue risk management
• how to calculate a crosswind component
• human performance and its limitations, including the senses, memory and situational awareness
• in a Defence context, relevant Defence Orders and Instructions
• principles of aerodynamics
• recovery procedures
• relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Civil Aviation Orders
• stress, workload and time pressure management
• WHS/OHS and environmental procedures and regulations
• windsock and other indicators used to determine wind velocity.

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.