Unit of competency Outline

Information current as of
21/10/2026 10:05 AM AWST

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Lead an aircraft formation flight

Lead an aircraft formation flight

Unit of competency
National Code
AVIY4064A
State Code
WB869
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
18/07/2008
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
08/07/2014
Original Release Date
18/07/2008
Nominal Hours
60
Field of Education
031505 - Aircraft Operation
Description
This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to plan, brief and lead an aircraft formation safely while remaining within the aircraft's structural and engine limitations and the pilot's physiological limitations during visual flight. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.
General notes
N/A
Elements and Performance Criteria
1Plan a formation flight
  • 1.1 Formation flight tasking requirements are identified
  • 1.2 Crews, briefing venue, timing and aircraft availability are coordinated
  • 1.3 Task is analysed to determine manoeuvres and formations that ensure safe outcome
  • 1.4 Flight route is planned to achieve formation outcomes in the time available and within performance capabilities of the flight
  • 1.5 All air traffic, area limitations and navigation requirements are complied with
  • 1.6 Actions in the event of abnormal or emergency situations involving the formation are planned
2Brief and de-brief formation pilots
  • 2.1 Ground and flight manoeuvres are briefed and confirmed with formation crews
  • 2.2 Timings, route(s), speeds and altitudes to be flown are specified
  • 2.3 Deputy leader responsibilities are briefed and confirmed
  • 2.4 Communication procedures, minimum fuel, abnormal and emergency procedures and method of return for landing are briefed and confirmed
  • 2.5 Achievements and any faults or errors that occurred during the formation flight are identified
  • 2.6 Guidance and feedback is provided to other formation members during the post-flight de-brief
3Lead a formation flight
  • 3.1 Lead aircraft is manoeuvred using controlled corrective action to ensure a stable platform for pilots flying in formation stations
  • 3.2 Formation is safely manoeuvred anticipating and allowing for formation size, proximity to obstructions, terrain, airspace limitations, weather conditions and air traffic, while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements
  • 3.3 Formation is directed and controlled using precise standard radio phraseology, hand and other signal procedures
  • 3.4 Formation members' flight 'performances' and appropriate reactions to problems are monitored
4Manage abnormal and emergency situations whilst leading a formation flight
  • 4.1 Control of aircraft and formation when leading is maintained
  • 4.2 Abnormal or emergency situations are managed in accordance with standard operating procedures or Flight Manual/Pilot's Operating Handbook as flight leader
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 (VFR)
Night Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC)
Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC)
two or more aircraft
Performance may be demonstrated in:
single engine aircraft
multi engine aircraft
variable air traffic conditions
variable flight situations
abnormal situations
classes of airspace as designated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Aircraft may include:
fixed wing
helicopter
other commercial or military aircraft
Crew may include:
single pilot
multi crew
Instruments may be:
fitted flight instruments
heads up display
Limitations may be imposed by:
local noise abatement requirements and curfews
airspace endorsements
Abnormal or emergency situations may include:
loss of contact
aircraft collision
aircraft malfunction
Mode selected may include:
lateral
vertical combination
auto thrust
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:
relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and Civil Aviation Orders pertaining to the navigation of aircraft
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)
relevant sections of the Civil Aviation Advisory Publications (CAAP)
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
relevant Bureau of Meteorology, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and/or World Meteorology Organization (WMO) publications
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 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
following relevant legislation and workplace procedures
planning formation flight including all sub-tasks and actions in the event of abnormal or emergency situations
briefing and de-briefing formation pilots including all sub-tasks and deputy leader responsibilities
manoeuvring lead aircraft using controlled corrective action to ensure a stable platform for formation stations
manoeuvring formation safely by anticipating and allowing for all aspects of formation flying including compliance with regulatory requirements
controlling and directing formation using precise standard radio phraseology, hand and other signal procedures
monitoring formation members' flight 'performances' and appropriate reactions to problems
maintaining control and formation while leading aircraft
managing as flight leader abnormal or emergency situations in accordance with standard operating procedures or Flight Manual/Pilot's Operating Handbook

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
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
AWO92 AVIY0016 Lead formation flight Unit of competency
No information