Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit applies to any personnel involved in working on the ground around aircraft.

Application of the Unit 

The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Prerequisite Unit /s 

Nil

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. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the Required Skills and Knowledge and/or the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Work safely in the vicinity of aircraft 

1.1 Suitable , visible clothing and protective equipment  are used

1.2 Appropriate precautions  and clearances are followed when operating on or near aircraft movement areas

1.3 Any approach to an operating aircraft  is made according to the organisation's procedures, from an angle visible to the pilot or flight crew and with approval of the pilot or flight crew

1.4 Adequate clearance is maintained from propellers, rotors and/or turbine engines, exhaust gases and engine intakes

1.5 Activities anticipate the typical manoeuvring patterns  of aircraft

1.6 Any instructions or signals from pilots or staff controlling aircraft are complied with

1.7 Site hazards  are identified

2. Facilitate safe ground support 

2.1 Appropriate precautions  are observed when positioning vehicles or equipment close to aircraft

2.2 Aircraft design features are respected while boarding, loading or handling aircraft

2.3 Instructions from pilots, the organisation's staff coordinating aircraft operations, organisation's procedures and placards are followed during ground support operations

2.4 Aircraft loading is supervised by the pilot or flight crew member and complies with the appropriate weight, balance and loading system

2.5 Areas are designated and separated according to site features and the specific operations being conducted

2.6 Fitting of equipment to an aircraft is conducted under the pilot's supervision and with the appropriate regulatory approvals

2.7 Aircraft fuels, oils, and supplies are stored and handled according to regulatory requirements and the organisation's procedures

2.8 Any suspected defects or hazards to aircraft or equipment are reported to the pilot or other appropriate supervisor

2.9 Appropriate aerodrome regulations are complied with

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required Skills 

Use of specialist aviation support equipment

Required Knowledge 

aircraft familiarisation

aerodrome familiarisation

aerodrome working and lighting

aircraft movement characteristics

overview of aircraft performance, operation, loading and refuelling precautions

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

It is essential for this unit that competence be demonstrated in:

compliance with regulatory requirements and the organisation's procedures; identification of hazards, and precautions effected on a consistent, conscious and continuing basis; detailed knowledge of procedures for unusual events

Actions are driven by an overriding concern for safety and quality rather than minimal observance of requirements

Consistency in performance 

Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

On the job or in a simulated work environment

Specific resources for assessment 

Access to actual or simulated aircraft and aerodrome facilities

Guidance information for assessment 

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

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. Bold italicised  wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Aircraft may include 

aeroplanes

helicopters

unmanned aerial vehicles

other airborne vehicles

Suitable visible clothing and protective equipment may include 

high visibility overalls/vests

use of lighting or beacons

hand, eye, ear and foot protection

Appropriate precautions while manoeuvring may include 

fixed wing and helicopter marshalling

observing aerodrome limits

ground markings/lighting

avoidance of obstructions/hazards and navigation aids

clearances (radio)

advisory instructions

light signals

Safety equipment may include 

first aid

fire extinguisher

ear muffs

eye goggles

protective overalls

protective boots

respiratory protection

signalling devices

head protection

Site hazards may include 

wires/powerlines/fences

live stock

native fauna

masts/aerials

terrain

weather conditions

level of visibility

public

trees

dust

Anticipation of manoeuvring patterns may include 

circuit procedures

take-off, approach and landing characteristics

ground manoeuvring capabilities

special procedures (eg. at night or in poor weather conditions)

Protection against hazards may include 

hand, eye, ears and foot protection

Operational procedures for approaching aircraft may include 

maintaining visibility with pilot or flight crew

compliance with pilot or flight crew instructions

compliance with operational placards

Aircraft controllers may include 

pilot

flight crew

ground support supervisor

aircraft coordinating personnel

Co-requisite Unit /s 

Nil