This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to control a helicopter in hovering flight in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and national operating standards.

It includes lifting off to hover and performing hovering checks, hovering a helicopter in cross- and tail-winds, performing turns around the mast, conducting turns around nose and tail, and performing sidewards and backwards flight. It also includes landing from the hover, managing a mishandled landing, and managing a mishandled lift off.

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

Operations are conducted as part of recreational, 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

Carry out pre-take-off checks

1.1

Pre-take-off checks and safety briefings are completed

1.2

Safe take-off path is selected

1.3

Helicopter is lined up in take-off direction and is positioned at the optimum position within the helicopter landing site (HLS)

1.4

Line-up checks are performed in accordance with approved checklist as required

2

Take off helicopter

2.1

Air traffic control (ATC) clearances are obtained and compliance is maintained with clearance conditions and requirements when operating within controlled airspace

2.2

Helicopter is transitioned from a stationary position in a specified direction passing through translational lift, remaining clear of obstructions, and establishing and maintaining a recommended or nominated climb speed

2.3

Helicopter flight path is controlled using appropriate flight handling techniques, including awareness of helicopter performance considerations, aircraft balance and flight control trim, as required

2.4

Power and attitude are managed for flight path, departure profile and indicated airspeed (IAS) being flown

2.5

Local and published noise abatement requirements and curfews are observed

2.6

Situational awareness of circuit traffic is maintained and conflict avoided

3

Approach to hover

3.1

Suitable termination point is selected

3.2

Pre-landing checks are completed in accordance with approved checklist

3.3

Appropriate approach angle and track is intercepted and approach manoeuvres conducted in accordance with ATC instructions

3.4

Helicopter is descended to hover at selected termination point at a reducing closure rate and along a specified track on an approach angle appropriate to helicopter type and conditions

3.5

Landing gear is aligned to planned approach direction

3.6

Loss of translational lift is recognised and controlled

3.7

Revolutions per minute (RPM) is managed within normal operational limits

3.8

Approach is terminated at hover over termination point

4

Perform go-around procedure

4.1

Critical situations are recognised and timely decisions made to go-around in circumstances that require discontinuing a circuit or approach

4.2

Go-around is initiated

4.3

Power and attitude are set to initiate safe climb at appropriate IAS from any position in the circuit

4.4

Obstructions and traffic are appropriately avoided during climb following a decision to go-around

4.5

Lookout is maintained using a systematic scan technique at a rate determined by traffic density, visibility or terrain

4.6

Situational awareness of circuit traffic is maintained throughout go-round procedure

4.7

After-take-off checks are completed in accordance with approved checklist

4.8

Local and published noise abatement requirements and curfews are observed

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.

Y – Aircraft Operation and Traffic Management