Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:45 PM AWST
22/07/2026 9:45 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.
Navigate from an aircraft
Navigate from an aircraft
Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR315B
PUAFIR315B
State Code
D2999
D2999
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
12/05/2010
Field of Education
031505 - Aircraft Operation
Original Release Date
12/05/2010
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit covers the competency required to navigate from an aircraft using visual techniques. 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. Prepare for flight
- 1.1 Incident and/or task information is obtained.
- 1.2 Relevant maps and navigationequipment are gathered and checked.
- 1.3 Information and navigation techniques are applied to plot positions on a map or navigation chart, and to determine current location and destination within accepted tolerances.
- 1.4 Aircraft is selected and performance capabilities are considered.
2. Determine and plan a safe flight route
- 2.1 Preliminary flight route is determined using available information.
- 2.2 Assessment of hazards, topographical features and other considerations along proposed flight route and at destination is undertaken.
- 2.3 Preliminary flight route is modified in accordance with outcomes of hazard assessment.
- 2.4 Records are prepared in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 2.5 Pilot is briefed on task requirements, planned flight route and relevant information in accordance with organisational requirements.
3. Navigate to destination
- 3.1 Pilot is directed to follow planned route as required.
- 3.2 Record of proposed route and navigation aids are used to maintain compliance with planned route.
- 3.3 Location is determined by identification with ground features.
- 3.4 Current location is regularly verified within accepted tolerances.
- 3.5 Amendments to flight route are undertaken in accordance with changes in environmental factors, fire behaviour and operational requirements.
- 3.6 Lost en route procedures are implemented when required.
- 3.7 Unanticipated difficulties are reported in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 3.8 En route and arrival reporting information is transmitted in accordance with organisational procedures.
4. Complete post navigational activities
- 4.1 Report is completed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
- 4.2 Navigational equipment is maintained according to operational standards and manufacturer specifications.
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.
Incident and/or task information may include:
data gathering
establishing incident access
establishing radii
locating incident
plotting fire fronts
rates of fireline construction
Maps may include:
aerial photographs
aeronautical charts
digital maps
en route supplement (airfield orientation, contact information, runway information)
infrared line scan imagery
street directories
topographical maps
vegetation maps
Navigation equipment may include:
area plotters
communications equipment
computers
digital displays
GPS
magnetic compass
planimeters
protractors
romers
scale rules
watch/stopwatch
writing equipment
Plot positions on a map includes:
defining or plotting incident location
delineating search areas
planning access and egress routes
plotting proposed or alternate flight routes
plotting areas
Accepted tolerances may include:
prevailing weather and environmental conditions
relating the margin of error allowable as determined by the nature of the task/incident terrain
Performance capabilities will be determined by:
airstrip length
engine type
flight rules
load capability
persons on board
pilot ability
range
speed
weather
Hazards may include:
danger/prohibited/restricted areas
ground resources
lack of visibility
masts/aerials
other aircraft
smoke
spot fires
terrain
weather conditions
wires
Topographical features may include:
airfield location
altitudes for controlled airspace
cultural
dangerous/prohibited/restricted areas
elevation
flight corridors
hydrology
orientation
other aircraft
navigational aids (physical and electronic)
potential hazards
relief
vegetation
Other considerations may include:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sacred sites and other areas of cultural significance
controlled airspace/restricted airspace
hazardous areas
military areas
radio frequencies (mandatory broadcast zones or common traffic advisory)
seasonal factors
wilderness areas
Pilot briefing may include:
communications procedures
duration and flight to be flown
flight hazards
passengers
prominent terrain features
purpose of flight
route to be flown
Determining location may include:
aircraft instrument cross referencing
GPS
grid and latitude/longitude conversions
magnetic conversions
plotting
time and distance calculation
visual determination from map information
Environmental factors may include:
fire behaviour
need to match transportation mode to terrain
time of day
weather conditions
Reporting requirements may include:
assessment of safety procedures utilised
completion of logs
flight following
input to debriefs
journal records
pre-departure briefing
sitreps
Incident and/or task information may include:
data gathering
establishing incident access
establishing radii
locating incident
plotting fire fronts
rates of fireline construction
Maps may include:
aerial photographs
aeronautical charts
digital maps
en route supplement (airfield orientation, contact information, runway information)
infrared line scan imagery
street directories
topographical maps
vegetation maps
Navigation equipment may include:
area plotters
communications equipment
computers
digital displays
GPS
magnetic compass
planimeters
protractors
romers
scale rules
watch/stopwatch
writing equipment
Plot positions on a map includes:
defining or plotting incident location
delineating search areas
planning access and egress routes
plotting proposed or alternate flight routes
plotting areas
Accepted tolerances may include:
prevailing weather and environmental conditions
relating the margin of error allowable as determined by the nature of the task/incident terrain
Performance capabilities will be determined by:
airstrip length
engine type
flight rules
load capability
persons on board
pilot ability
range
speed
weather
Hazards may include:
danger/prohibited/restricted areas
ground resources
lack of visibility
masts/aerials
other aircraft
smoke
spot fires
terrain
weather conditions
wires
Topographical features may include:
airfield location
altitudes for controlled airspace
cultural
dangerous/prohibited/restricted areas
elevation
flight corridors
hydrology
orientation
other aircraft
navigational aids (physical and electronic)
potential hazards
relief
vegetation
Other considerations may include:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sacred sites and other areas of cultural significance
controlled airspace/restricted airspace
hazardous areas
military areas
radio frequencies (mandatory broadcast zones or common traffic advisory)
seasonal factors
wilderness areas
Pilot briefing may include:
communications procedures
duration and flight to be flown
flight hazards
passengers
prominent terrain features
purpose of flight
route to be flown
Determining location may include:
aircraft instrument cross referencing
GPS
grid and latitude/longitude conversions
magnetic conversions
plotting
time and distance calculation
visual determination from map information
Environmental factors may include:
fire behaviour
need to match transportation mode to terrain
time of day
weather conditions
Reporting requirements may include:
assessment of safety procedures utilised
completion of logs
flight following
input to debriefs
journal records
pre-departure briefing
sitreps
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:
plot a navigational route
maintain accuracy within accepted tolerances when following route
maintain positional awareness
effectively react to changes in the operating environment necessitating re-planning of a course.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated in a number of simulated and actual situations.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in simulated environments followed by assessment by an accredited operator on-the-job.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
equipment used in operational navigation
support agencies such as meteorological bureaus
different maps including topographic, WAC (World Aeronautical Chart) and VEC (Visual Enroute Chart)charts for aerial navigation
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:
plot a navigational route
maintain accuracy within accepted tolerances when following route
maintain positional awareness
effectively react to changes in the operating environment necessitating re-planning of a course.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated in a number of simulated and actual situations.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in simulated environments followed by assessment by an accredited operator on-the-job.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
equipment used in operational navigation
support agencies such as meteorological bureaus
different maps including topographic, WAC (World Aeronautical Chart) and VEC (Visual Enroute Chart)charts for aerial navigation
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAY76 | PUAFIR315 | Navigate from an aircraft | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C600 | PUA30601 | Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations) | Qualification |