Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 4:40 PM AWST
23/07/2026 4:40 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Plan aircraft operations
Plan aircraft operations
Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR408B
PUAFIR408B
State Code
WG144
WG144
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Transition (Replaced)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
20/03/2013
Field of Education
031507 - Air Traffic Control
Original Release Date
20/03/2013
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit covers the competency required to plan aircraft operations for incident management activities. Aviation operations occur in a heavily regulated environment. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan aircraft operations
- 1.1 Operational objectives are obtained.
- 1.2 Air operations requirements are identified.
- 1.3 Requirements for support staff, support equipment and consumables are identified.
- 1.4 Hazard assessment is undertaken and conveyed to the pilots.
- 1.5 Aircraft base location is selected, if required, in accordance with operational and agency requirements.
- 1.6 Site hazards are identified.
- 1.7 Flight plans are established with pilots, considering operational requirements, weather and hazard identification/minimisation/abatement.
- 1.8 Aircraft resourcesuitability and performancecapabilities/limitations are identified.
- 1.9 Areas at aircraft base location are designated and separated according to site features and specific operations being conducted.
- 1.10 Activity brief is planned in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 1.11 Activity briefing is conducted with appropriate personnel and operational information is displayed and documented.
2. Interpret weather conditions in relation to flight operations
- 2.1 Appropriate weather data is obtained.
- 2.2 Assessment of the immediate and forecasted weather conditions on air operations is undertaken.
- 2.3 Air operations are planned in consideration of available data and operational requirements.
- 2.4 Weather data is continually assessed for implications to the planning and conduct of flight operations.
3. Establish communications procedures
- 3.1 Communications requirements are identified.
- 3.2 Factors impinging upon the selection of communications system and frequencies within and outside controlled airspace are identified.
- 3.3 Appropriate communications system and frequencies between aircraft and operations are selected.
- 3.4 Communications procedures are implemented in accordance with planning process and organisational procedures.
- 3.5 Appropriate flight following and notification procedures are implemented according to organisational requirements.
- 3.6 Pilots and support personnel are briefed on communications procedures.
4. Establish procedures for search and rescue (SAR) of overdue aircraft
- 4.1 Circumstances requiring the implementation of SAR processes are identified.
- 4.2 SAR procedures appropriate to the type of incident are established as required.
- 4.3 Appropriate authorities are notified.
- 4.4 SAR resources are deployed as required.
- 4.5 Agency accident/incident response procedures are implemented if required.
- 4.6 Post accident/incident procedures are implemented, if required, in accordance with organisational requirements.
5. Complete operation
- 5.1 Debrief is scheduled as soon as possible following the operation.
- 5.2 Debrief is conducted with operational and support personnel in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 5.3 Documentation in related to the operation is recorded and reported according to procedures.
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.
Hazards may include:
ground resources
interference to communications
level of visibility
masts/aerials
other aircraft
restricted/danger/prohibited areas
smoke
spot fires
support personnel
terrain
weather conditions
wires/power lines
Aircraft base location may include:
agricultural airstrip
existing licensed airfield
licensed helipad
recreation reserves
remote helipad
Selection of aircraft base location may depend on
areas of reduced visibility
distance to operation
flight hazards
flight paths in and out
logistics support
road accessibility
vehicle parking
vicinity of houses/general population
water availability
Flight plans include:
aircraft performance and capability
communication procedures
flight planning checklists
identifying and explaining hazards
incident priorities
mission and task objectives
resource limitations
timing of operations
Operational requirements, weather and hazard identification/ minimisation/abatement may include
consideration of climatic and weather conditions:
analysis
forecasts
meteorological profiles
weather prognosis
Aircraft resource suitability may include:
communications system availability
pilot local knowledge
range
speed
take off capacity
visibility
Performance capabilities/limitations may include:
aircraft capability
landing and take-off area requirements
engine type - piston turbine
fire behaviour
load capacity
multi/single engine
pilot ability
range
task
terrain
weather
wing configuration
Organisational procedures may include:
briefing and debriefing:
timing
checklists
SAR:
legislative requirements
agency requirements
travel, ferry, flight times
SAR time/procedures/actions
manifests
communications:
VHF aeronautical
organisational systems
flight following/notification/reporting procedure
inbound/outbound reporting
airspace (outside/inside)
Briefing may include
purpose of the mission and objectives
agreed aircraft traffic procedures
communications frequencies
hazards
roles
strategies and tactics
Appropriate personnel may include:
airbase/helibase personnel
aircrew
fire ground personnel
incident management staff
pilots
Displaying information may include
communications plan
fire map
first aid location
map of airbase/helibase layout
meteorological report
roles
Hazards may include:
ground resources
interference to communications
level of visibility
masts/aerials
other aircraft
restricted/danger/prohibited areas
smoke
spot fires
support personnel
terrain
weather conditions
wires/power lines
Aircraft base location may include:
agricultural airstrip
existing licensed airfield
licensed helipad
recreation reserves
remote helipad
Selection of aircraft base location may depend on
areas of reduced visibility
distance to operation
flight hazards
flight paths in and out
logistics support
road accessibility
vehicle parking
vicinity of houses/general population
water availability
Flight plans include:
aircraft performance and capability
communication procedures
flight planning checklists
identifying and explaining hazards
incident priorities
mission and task objectives
resource limitations
timing of operations
Operational requirements, weather and hazard identification/ minimisation/abatement may include
consideration of climatic and weather conditions:
analysis
forecasts
meteorological profiles
weather prognosis
Aircraft resource suitability may include:
communications system availability
pilot local knowledge
range
speed
take off capacity
visibility
Performance capabilities/limitations may include:
aircraft capability
landing and take-off area requirements
engine type - piston turbine
fire behaviour
load capacity
multi/single engine
pilot ability
range
task
terrain
weather
wing configuration
Organisational procedures may include:
briefing and debriefing:
timing
checklists
SAR:
legislative requirements
agency requirements
travel, ferry, flight times
SAR time/procedures/actions
manifests
communications:
VHF aeronautical
organisational systems
flight following/notification/reporting procedure
inbound/outbound reporting
airspace (outside/inside)
Briefing may include
purpose of the mission and objectives
agreed aircraft traffic procedures
communications frequencies
hazards
roles
strategies and tactics
Appropriate personnel may include:
airbase/helibase personnel
aircrew
fire ground personnel
incident management staff
pilots
Displaying information may include
communications plan
fire map
first aid location
map of airbase/helibase layout
meteorological report
roles
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
implement organisational procedures, and relevant legislative and industry standards
appropriately sequence planning of aircraft operations
identify and implement procedures for flight notification and flight following
select communications systems and appropriate channels or frequencies that ensure the most effective communication exchange during operations
obtain and accurately assess the impact of weather conditions/data for immediate and impending aircraft operations
apply relevant workplace and emergency procedures including codes of practice; hazard policy and procedures; planning aircraft operations and deployment of appropriate resources; guidelines relating to safe and effective use of equipment, resources and facilities
take action promptly - report accidents and incidents within regulatory and organisational requirements
complete work systematically in accordance with safe operating procedures to minimise risk of injury to self, others or damage to equipment.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed on-the-job or in a simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
access to, or simulation of, air operations
resources relating to equipment, personnel, facilities etc. appropriate to the flight situation
Method of assessment
In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.
Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an agency-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:
direct observation
interviewing the candidate
journals and workplace documentation
third party reports from supervisors
written or oral questions
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
implement organisational procedures, and relevant legislative and industry standards
appropriately sequence planning of aircraft operations
identify and implement procedures for flight notification and flight following
select communications systems and appropriate channels or frequencies that ensure the most effective communication exchange during operations
obtain and accurately assess the impact of weather conditions/data for immediate and impending aircraft operations
apply relevant workplace and emergency procedures including codes of practice; hazard policy and procedures; planning aircraft operations and deployment of appropriate resources; guidelines relating to safe and effective use of equipment, resources and facilities
take action promptly - report accidents and incidents within regulatory and organisational requirements
complete work systematically in accordance with safe operating procedures to minimise risk of injury to self, others or damage to equipment.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed on-the-job or in a simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
access to, or simulation of, air operations
resources relating to equipment, personnel, facilities etc. appropriate to the flight situation
Method of assessment
In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.
Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an agency-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:
direct observation
interviewing the candidate
journals and workplace documentation
third party reports from supervisors
written or oral questions
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAY63 | PUAFIR408 | Plan aircraft operations | Unit of competency |
