This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to plan a flight under visual flight rules (VFR) in compliance with the relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and national operating standards.

It includes determining aircraft VFR flight requirements, obtaining and using operational documents, preparing VFR 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 VFR flight

1.1

Aircraft requirements for VFR flight are determined

1.2

Hazards are identified, risks are assessed and hazard management implemented

1.3

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 VFR flight

2

Obtain and use operational documents

2.1

Operational documents applicable to the 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 the flight are stowed and their accessibility for the pilot during flight is ensured

3

Prepare flight plan for VFR flight

3.1

Charts suitable for intended VFR 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

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

3.4

Routes to optimise options in an engine failure are planned

4

Determine operational requirements

4.1

Suitability of aerodrome lighting for night operations is determined

4.2

Curfew requirements are complied with

4.3

Duration of flight is determined

4.4

Holding, alternate and reserve fuel requirements due to weather, navigation aid availability and aerodrome lighting are determined in accordance with operational requirements

4.5

Total fuel requirements are calculated

5

Make flight notification

5.1

Flight notification is prepared for planned VFR flight

5.2

Completed flight notification is submitted

5.3

Flight notification acceptance is confirmed

6

Program navigation system

6.1

Data for transfer to approved airborne navigation system is prepared

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