Elements and Performance Criteria
- Conduct pre-flight actions
- Own fitness for flight and planned operations is self-assessed
- Operational aircraft type is determined for suitability for type of aerial application operation
- Aircraft and role equipment are checked and assessed for serviceability prior to commencing flight operations
- Required applicable maintenance documentation is compiled and checked for accuracy and completeness
- Role equipment calibration is checked and adjusted as required
- Planned aerial application operations are assessed for potential or actual hazards
- Fuel requirements are determined and established within aerial application management plans
- Logistical considerations are addressed within scope of application management plan including airstrip/aerodrome status, ground support requirements, personal supplies and air traffic service requirements
- Conduct planning and risk management
- Suitability of current and forecast weather is determined
- Application management plan is developed and used as the basis for aerial application operations
- Potential and actual hazards and operational requirements are identified, risks to aerial application operations are assessed and appropriate risk controls are implemented in accordance with the application management plan
- Treatment area map is correctly interpreted
- Command decision on the safety of the proposed application, including refusing to undertake an application where the risks are considered to be too high is made as required
- Appropriate selection of application pattern and direction of treatment is made, taking into consideration safety, efficiency, hazards and terrain
- Acceptable aircraft performance for aerial application operational conditions is confirmed through performance planning
- Normal and abnormal operational communications and signals are confirmed
- Perform operational area evaluation
- Aircraft is flown to aerial application operational area using appropriate flight and navigational techniques
- Operational landing areas are assessed for length, condition, approach/landing direction, hazard identification and meteorological conditions
- Issues relating to aircraft weight, performance, dimensions, load and meteorological conditions are identified and managed
- Landing areas suitable for conducting aerial application operations are selected
- Aircraft pre-landing/take off checks are performed in accordance with operational procedures
- Appropriate landing and take-off techniques are conducted during aerial application operations
- Appropriate dumping point for each take-off, including adequate safety buffers, is identified
- Oneway airstrip operations are safely applied, as required
- Safe helicopter operations from a marginal helicopter landing site (HLS) are demonstrated, as required
- Fly between operational and application areas
- Low-level navigation techniques from an operational area to an application area are used as required
- Most appropriate routes and heights between operational and application areas with considerations to terrain, stock, populated areas, housing and hazards are selected
- Operations at a certified or registered aerodrome are conducted as required
- Aerial application operations are performed in accordance with published regulations requirements
- Conduct an aerial survey
- Appropriate aerial survey plans are developed for conducting safe aerial application operations
- Operating area boundaries are established and environmentally sensitive areas are identified including areas that are noise sensitive, biologically susceptible, populated and urban, and restricted or dangerous
- Potential emergency or alternate landing areas are identified and/or established for contingency operations
- Environmental hazard factors affecting aerial application operations are considered
- Wind velocity and direction are assessed for effect on operations
- Application management plans are amended or modified based on aerial survey assessment results as required
- Operate within the vicinity of power lines
- Power lines within and outside the treatment area during an aerial survey are identified
- Power line infrastructure cues are interpreted to aid wire run identification
- Wire heights are accurately assessed to support safe operations in vicinity of power lines, including safe flying parallel to wires
- Other hazards relevant to operations near power lines, such as pole stays, crop height, fences or machinery that may pose a risk are identified and managed
- Safe command decision whether to fly over or under a wire is made
- Aerial application operations over wires, including adequate safety buffers for pull-up and let down and accurate cut-off and on-off application equipment are conducted
- Aerial application operations under wires, including assessment of safe clearance distances are conducted
- Application approaches towards power lines when passage beneath is unachievable, are terminated safely
- Human factors that may affect operations near power lines, particularly distraction, short-term memory limitations and inattention (perceptual) blindness are applied during aerial application operations
- Apply substances through aerial application
- Substances are applied safely in accordance with the application management plan
- Correct application height relevant to terrain, application type and meteorological conditions is established and maintained
- Appropriate airspeed and flight profile is controlled on entry or re-entry to operational areas
- Aerial application equipment is operated within scope of the application management plan
- Hazard areas are manoeuvred around with adequate safety margins during application operations
- Aircraft smoke dispersal equipment is routinely utilised to establish accurate wind velocity and direction
- Application flow rates, pressure and product quantities are monitored during application operations
- Decisions to suspend or continue safe aerial application operations are taken based on planned or actual operating conditions
- Clean up operations and hazard safety checks are conducted on completion of aerial application
- Conduct GNSS swath guidance equipment operations
- GNSS familiarity is applied to the appropriate level of operational requirement
- Sound judgement is applied during application treatment area pattern selection
- Correct swath relevant to aircraft, configuration and substance to be applied is selected
- AB line and C point is accurately placed as required
- Aircraft is accurately manoeuvred on correct swath line with reference to light bar and natural features
- Aircraft is operated at maximum permissible weights for aerial application operations in accordance with manufacturer and regulatory requirements
- Aircraft take-off weight is determined within requirements relevant to strip length and operating conditions
- Aircraft is operated safely and effectively at maximum weights during all phases of flight including taxi, take off and climb, approach and landing, application, turns and obstacle avoidance manoeuvres
- Jettison a load
- Full liquid load is jettisoned during take-off and control of aircraft is maintained
- Full liquid load is jettisoned during flight and aircraft pitch, roll, yaw and speed changes are controlled