Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 5:55 AM AWST
23/07/2026 5:55 AM 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.
Operate helicopter at low level
Operate helicopter at low level
Unit of competency
National Code
AVIY4019B
AVIY4019B
State Code
WB855
WB855
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/03/2013
Field of Education
031505 - Aircraft Operation
Original Release Date
21/03/2013
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate a helicopter at low level, including planning low level operations, manoeuvring a helicopter at low level, performing quick stop manoeuvres, executing reversal turns, and executing a forced landing from below 200 feet AGL. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1Plan low level operations
- 1.1 The requirement to operate at low level is identified and justified in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements
- 1.2 The risks in the low level operations are analysed and an appropriate decision is made concerning the safe conduct of these operations
- 1.3 Action plans for the operation are formulated to ensure the safe and effective operation of the helicopter at low level
- 1.4 Unplanned manoeuvres are avoided
- 1.5 Compliance is maintained with air traffic control instructions, regulatory and reporting requirements
2Manoeuvre helicopter at low level
- 2.1 Low level flight manoeuvres are performed safely using pre-planned manoeuvres at planned altitudes
- 2.2 Effects of wind velocity, false horizons, rising ground and mountainous terrain are managed, and control of the helicopter is correctly maintained
- 2.3 Pilot's visual attention is focused outside the cockpit
- 2.4 Lookout is maintained using a systematic scan technique at a rate determined by traffic density, visibility and/or terrain
- 2.5 Natural horizon is used as primary attitude reference
- 2.6 Nose of aircraft is cleared to ensure forward visibility when appropriate
- 2.7 Situation awareness is maintained at all times during the low level manoeuvres
- 2.8 Helicopter is safely manoeuvred adjacent to power lines and wires
- 2.9 All obstacles are identified and are appropriately and safely avoided
- 2.10 Personnel, animals, vehicles and buildings are identified and are appropriately and safely avoided
- 2.11 Height is maintained by visual reference to the earth's surface when below 500 AGL
- 2.12 Weather conditions are monitored and appropriate responses are made
- 2.13 Fuel status is monitored and appropriate responses are made
- 2.14 Local and published noise abatement requirements and curfews are observed
3Perform quick stop manoeuvre
- 3.1 Deceleration of the helicopter from forward flight is initiated while either into wind or down wind to terminate to the hover into wind at a nominated hover point
- 3.2 Deceleration manoeuvre is conducted within the time and distance limitations specified whilst maintaining a constant height above the surface
- 3.3 Wind velocity is estimated and is appropriately taken into account in manoeuvres
- 3.4 Helicopter inertia is anticipated and appropriate allowance is made in manoeuvres
- 3.5 Situation awareness is maintained at all times during a quick stop manoeuvre
- 3.6 Obstructions are identified and are appropriately and safely avoided
4Execute reversal turn
- 4.1 Adverse conditions requiring reversal turn are recognised and manoeuvre is commenced without delay
- 4.2 Helicopter is turned steeply through 180o manoeuvring in the horizontal and vertical planes, without exceeding 30o pitch
- 4.3 Straight and level flight is resumed at entry height
5Execute forced landing from below 200 feet AGL
- 5.1 Emergency situations requiring a forced landing are identified
- 5.2 Immediate actions are performed in accordance with Flight Manual/POH
- 5.3 A landing area within autorotative distance is selected and an appropriate action plan is formulated
- 5.4 Emergency procedures are performed in accordance with Flight Manual/POH and the established action plan
- 5.5 Air Traffic Service and other traffic are advised of intentions during the emergency
- 5.6 Helicopter is landed in accordance with the Flight Manual/POH and the established action plan
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.
Tasks may be undertaken in:
variable weather conditions in accordance with Day Visual Flight Rules
Performance may be demonstrated in:
single engine helicopter
multi engine helicopter
single main rotor helicopter
multi main rotor helicopter
variable air traffic conditions
variable flight situations
abnormal situations
Performance may be demonstrated on an helicopter with:
fully functioning dual controls
an electronic intercom system
dual control brakes
wheeled and/or skidded undercarriages
Crew may include:
single pilot
multi crew
Limitations may be imposed by:
local noise abatement requirements and curfews
Checklists may include:
pre-flight
pre-start
engine start
pre-taxi
take-off
after take-off
approach and landing
shutdown
post-flight
Classes of airspace are:
those designated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Operational hazards during low level operations may include:
variable surface conditions
other aircraft
loose objects
personnel
animals
birds
propeller/tail rotor/rotor wash and jet blast
trees
powerlines
fences
buildings
terrain variations
vehicles
obstacles
Guidance during low level operations may be provided by:
air traffic control instructions
light signals
aerodrome markings
Dependent on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:
company procedures
enterprise procedures
organisational procedures
established procedures
standard operating procedures
Procedures maintaining compliance with airspace requirements are:
geographical limits of the flight area is demonstrated on a chart
prominent geographical features are identified using a chart
the limits of the flight area are identified on the ground
the position of controlled airspace is determined using a chart and geographical features
restricted areas are identified using a chart and geographical features
departure from the circuit area and transition to the flight area is completed without incident
departure from the flight area and transition to the circuit area is completed without incident
Information/documents may include:
relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Civil Aviation Orders including Day Visual Flight Rules (Day VFR)
in Defence context, relevant Defence Orders and Instructions
Flight Manual/Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)
Manual of Standards - Pilot Licensing (MOS-PL)
Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP)
En Route Supplement Australia (ERSA)
charts
operations manuals
approved checklists
workplace procedures and instructions and job specification
induction and training materials
conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards
Applicable regulations and legislation may include:
relevant Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Civil Aviation Orders
in Defence context, relevant Defence Orders and Instructions
relevant state/territory OH&S legislation
relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation
relevant Australian Standards
Performance includes tolerances specified in either of:
relevant licence and aircraft rating requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) such as:
Day VFR Syllabus
Manual of Standards
relevant Defence documentation such as:
Defence Orders and Instructions
approved curricula and training documentation
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.
Tasks may be undertaken in:
variable weather conditions in accordance with Day Visual Flight Rules
Performance may be demonstrated in:
single engine helicopter
multi engine helicopter
single main rotor helicopter
multi main rotor helicopter
variable air traffic conditions
variable flight situations
abnormal situations
Performance may be demonstrated on an helicopter with:
fully functioning dual controls
an electronic intercom system
dual control brakes
wheeled and/or skidded undercarriages
Crew may include:
single pilot
multi crew
Limitations may be imposed by:
local noise abatement requirements and curfews
Checklists may include:
pre-flight
pre-start
engine start
pre-taxi
take-off
after take-off
approach and landing
shutdown
post-flight
Classes of airspace are:
those designated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Operational hazards during low level operations may include:
variable surface conditions
other aircraft
loose objects
personnel
animals
birds
propeller/tail rotor/rotor wash and jet blast
trees
powerlines
fences
buildings
terrain variations
vehicles
obstacles
Guidance during low level operations may be provided by:
air traffic control instructions
light signals
aerodrome markings
Dependent on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:
company procedures
enterprise procedures
organisational procedures
established procedures
standard operating procedures
Procedures maintaining compliance with airspace requirements are:
geographical limits of the flight area is demonstrated on a chart
prominent geographical features are identified using a chart
the limits of the flight area are identified on the ground
the position of controlled airspace is determined using a chart and geographical features
restricted areas are identified using a chart and geographical features
departure from the circuit area and transition to the flight area is completed without incident
departure from the flight area and transition to the circuit area is completed without incident
Information/documents may include:
relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Civil Aviation Orders including Day Visual Flight Rules (Day VFR)
in Defence context, relevant Defence Orders and Instructions
Flight Manual/Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)
Manual of Standards - Pilot Licensing (MOS-PL)
Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP)
En Route Supplement Australia (ERSA)
charts
operations manuals
approved checklists
workplace procedures and instructions and job specification
induction and training materials
conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards
Applicable regulations and legislation may include:
relevant Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Civil Aviation Orders
in Defence context, relevant Defence Orders and Instructions
relevant state/territory OH&S legislation
relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation
relevant Australian Standards
Performance includes tolerances specified in either of:
relevant licence and aircraft rating requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) such as:
Day VFR Syllabus
Manual of Standards
relevant Defence documentation such as:
Defence Orders and Instructions
approved curricula and training documentation
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this 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
Resources for assessment include:
a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or 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 equipment, and
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 activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or
in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this 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
Resources for assessment include:
a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or 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 equipment, and
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 activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or
in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S6815 | AVI4Y1908B | Operate helicopter at low level | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVX51 | AVIY0021 | Operate helicopter at low level | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S631 | AVI40208 | Certificate IV in Aviation (Commercial Pilot Helicopter Licence) | Qualification |