This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate remote pilot aircraft systems (RPAS) flight under night visual line of sight (NVLOS) in compliance with the relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and national operating standards.

It includes determining RPAS NVLOS flight requirements, obtaining and using operational documents, preparing NVFR flight plans, making flight notifications and programming navigation systems.

This unit addresses aviation technical skill requirements (physical, mental and task-management abilities) related to route planning and navigation duties of flight crew and contributes to safe and effective performance in complex aviation operational environments.

Operations are conducted as part of 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 environment.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Determine aircraft meets requirements for NVLOS flight

1.1

Aircraft requirements for NVLOS flight are determined

1.2

Flight and navigation instruments, minimum electrical lighting, navigation equipment and any other requirements fitted to aircraft are checked to ensure they are suitable and serviceable for NVLOS flight

2

Obtain and use current operational documents

2.1

Operational documents applicable to flight are obtained and checked for currency

2.2

Applicable information contained in documents for flight planning and management is interpreted and applied

2.3

Documents required for flight are stowed and their accessibility for pilot during flight is ensured

3

Prepare flight plan for NVLOS flight

3.1

Charts suitable for intended NVLOS flight are selected and prepared

3.2

Applicable information to prepare a flight plan that details tracks, distances, times, altitudes to be flown and fuel requirements to reach destination are obtained, analysed and applied

3.3

Hazards are identified, risks are assessed and hazard management is implemented

3.4

Meteorological, airways facilities, area of operation and Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) information applicable to planning and conducting a flight is obtained, interpreted and applied

3.5

Routes to optimise options in engine failure are planned

4

Determine operational requirements

4.1

Power requirements due to weather and navigation aid availability are determined in accordance with operational requirements

4.2

Total fuel requirements are calculated

5

Make flight notification

5.1

Flight notification is prepared for planned NVLOS flight

5.2

Completed flight notification is submitted

5.3

Flight notification acceptance is confirmed

6

Program navigation system

6.1

Data is prepared for transfer to approved airborne navigation system

6.2

Navigation data is loaded and checked

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.

Not applicable.

H – Route Planning and Navigation