Elements and Performance Criteria

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Aircraft push-out operations may be carried out:
in any allowable operating and weather conditions
in accordance with regulatory and operational requirements

Performance may be demonstrated in:
actual push-out operations at an airport
appropriately simulated push-out operations

Type of aircraft push-out tug may include:
electric battery-operated tugs
diesel engine tugs

Dependent on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, aircraft push-out tugs may be referred to by a variety of terms, including but not restricted to:
aircraft push-back tug
tow tug (aircraft)
aircraft tow motor
aircraft tow tractor
push back power unit (PPU)

Aircraft towing manoeuvres may include but are not restricted to:
the push-out of an aircraft from a gate
transport of an aircraft to/from a hanger
movement of an aircraft around an airport
movement of a defective aircraft

Hazards that may exist when operating an aircraft push-out tug may include but are not restricted to:
other vehicles in the vicinity of the aircraft
personnel in the vicinity of the aircraft
jet blast
noise
dust

Personal protective equipment may include but is not restricted to:
hearing protection
safety gloves
safety footwear
protective clothing

Pre-operational checks may include:
fluid levels (where applicable)
battery charge (where applicable)
fuel level where applicable
visual inspection for faults or defects

Persons consulted during tug operations may include:
other members of the baggage handling and ramp teams
aircrew
aircraft schedulers
supervisors, team leaders and managers
ground support staff
technical staff

Dependent on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may be referred to as:
company procedures
enterprise procedures
organisational procedures
established procedures
standard operating procedures

Information/documents may include:
licence requirements of relevant regulatory authorities
local instructions relevant to aircraft tug operations
workplace procedures and instructions and job specification
OH&S and environmental protection regulations
tug operational checklists
pre- and post-operation checklists
tug logs/records
emergency procedures
flight schedules and gate allocations
relevant Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Civil Aviation Orders
manufacturers specifications and instructions for the tug being operated
induction and training materials
conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:
relevant licence requirements of the pertinent licensing authority
local instructions
relevant OH&S legislation
relevant environmental protection legislation
relevant Australian Standards
industrial relations and workplace compensation legislation

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:

the underpinning knowledge and skills
relevant legislation and workplace procedures
other relevant aspects of the range statement

Context of, and specific resources for assessment
Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
Processes and techniques must be equitable and fulfil regulatory requirements. This includes the assessment of language and literacy proficiency to the required workplace standard

Resources for assessment include:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

relevant and appropriate materials and/or equipment, and/or
applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment
Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation
As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests

Practical assessment must occur:

through appropriately simulated activities at the registered training organisation, and/or
in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace