Release 1.  This is the first release of this unit of competency in the PUA Public Safety Training Package.

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to prepare and carryout stores dropping operations in a search and rescue context, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures. It does not cover the competency to control and position the aircraft for dropping operations.

The unit is applicable to members of Air Search and Rescue teams working in the air carrying out the drop master or load master’s role. Team members and crews may be members of a range of government or non-government organisations and/or agencies.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Not applicable

Aviation Marine Search and Rescue

Aviation Marine Search and Rescue

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1  

Configure aircraft 

1.1 

Stores are prepared prior to loading on aircraft, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

1.2 

Search briefing is obtained from relevant Search and Rescue (SAR) authority

1.3 

Aircraft is configured for drop operations, in accordance with applicable flight manual

1.4 

Protective surfaces are installed and protective tape applied

1.5 

Stores are checked and secured

1.6 

Principles of internal loading of cargo are complied with and applied when loading the aircraft

2 

Locate target 

2.1 

Distance estimation methods are employed to identify target position

2.2 

Initial target marking smoke is prepared and dispatched to mark target area

2.3 

Visual sighting of target is maintained during stores dropping

3 

Dispatch stores 

3.1 

Reference markers are dispatched under the pilot's directions

3.2 

Stores are dispatched under the pilot's directions

3.3 

Visual sighting of target is maintained during stores dropping

4 

Reconfigure aircraft 

4.1 

Equipment is removed and checked for serviceability and faulty equipment is reported to relevant personnel

4.2 

Items of stores used are annotated on the incident form

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

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

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

This unit replaces and is equivalent to PUAAMS003B Conduct stores dropping operations.

Release 1.  This is the first release of this unit of competency in the PUA Public Safety Training Package.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and includes

• applying organisational policies and procedures including Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislated requirements
• checking ancillary search and rescue equipment for serviceability
• configuring and reconfiguring aircraft
• despatching stores
• handling pyrotechnic devices in a safe manner
• locating target
• operating safely around aircraft
• safely preparing, securing and despatching stores under the pilot's direction
• working as a team member in a crewed environment

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and includes knowledge of

• actions to be carried out in the event of inflight emergencies
• burn times of pyrotechnic markers
• distance estimation methods
• frequencies of electronic markers
• general operation of light emitting markers
• hand signals relayed by other crew members during stores dropping operation
• inherent dangers of handling pyrotechnic devices
• maximum and minimum weight of a loaded helibox
• organisational documentation, policies and procedures
• principles of teamwork
• procedures for arming pyrotechnic markers and general operation of electronic markers
• Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislated requirements including risk mitigation and WHS/OHS considerations as they pertain to operating within an aircraft during stores dropping operations

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 it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate 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
• relevant and appropriate materials, equipment, tools and personal protective clothing and equipment currently used in industry
• applicable documentation including organisational procedures, industry standards, equipment specifications, regulations, codes of practice and operations manuals.