SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

National Diploma: Aeronautical Surveillance Systems: Engineering Support

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
64349	National Diploma: Aeronautical Surveillance Systems: Engineering Support
ORIGINATOR
SGB Aerospace Operations
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
TETA - Transport Education and Training Authority			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Advanced Certificate	Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Physical Sciences
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	250	Level 6	NQF Level 06	Regular-Unit Stds Based
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		EXCO 07158/17	2015-07-01	2016-12-31
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2017-12-31		2019-12-31

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:

The combination of learning outcomes that comprise this Qualification will provide the qualifying learner with vocational knowledge and skills appropriate to the context of Air Traffic Management Engineering Support Services. It will also equip learners with a foundation for further intellectual development, opportunities for gainful employment and reward for contributions to society.

The learner assessed as competent against this qualification will be able to:

Demonstrate a technical understanding of Aeronautical Radar Systems.

Demonstrate a technical understanding of Aeronautical Display Systems.

Provide engineering support and maintenance of Surveillance Radar Systems used in aviation.

Provide engineering support and maintenance of Surveillance Display Systems.

This Qualification will provide the Air Traffic Management profession with qualified Air Traffic Management Engineering Personnel, thereby facilitating social and economic transformation, empowerment, and upliftment in the Industry and country in general.

Rationale:

There is an urgent need to provide recognition to people who are able to conduct the essential operations associated with safe and efficient aviation surveillance systems.

The focus of this Qualification will be mainly on technical personnel who have been working within the Aviation Industry in Air Traffic Management (ATM) or for persons with relevant aviation skills, knowledge and experience who wish to pursue a career in ATM engineering support.

In the past many practitioners in the Air Traffic Management technical support area were denied career advancement and possible professional registration. The introduction of a unit standard based National Diploma in Aeronautical Surveillance Systems, will allow learners, mainly employed in the field for a long time, recognition for their knowledge and acquired competencies through the process of RPL. It will also allow them advancement in their professional careers through transfer of credits gained, to whatever further learning they wish to carry out in their related aviation fields.

This Qualification will facilitate the development of a professional community of Air Traffic Management. Technical Personnel will be able to contribute towards a safe and productive technical support environment through the application of enhanced knowledge and skills relating to the installation, operation, maintenance and engineering support of Aeronautical Surveillance Systems used within the Air Traffic Management environment.

The combination of learning outcomes will provide the qualifying learner with applied competence in the provision of engineering support for Radar and Display Systems used in the Aviation Environment.

This qualification lays down the basis for further learning towards a proposed 1st Degree at NQF Level 7 in ATM Systems Engineering.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

It would be desirable for learners wishing to access this qualification to be competent in the following:

ID 57229: The National Certificate in Communication, Navigation and Surveillance Support, NQF Level 5.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

This Qualification and all the fundamental, core and elective unit standards associated with it, as described in the rules of combination, can be achieved by any learner through the recognition of prior learning, which includes learning outcomes achieved through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. The exit-level outcomes and the related unit standards may also be achieved through the recognition of prior learning.

Access to the Qualification:

None.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

The qualifying learner will achieve this Qualification by complying with the following rules of combination for the accumulation of credits:

Learning Component: Credits:

All Fundamental Unit Standards: 65 credits.

All Core Unit Standards: 165 credits.

Elective Unit Standards: Minimum 20 credits.

Total Credits: Minimum 250 credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate a technical understanding of Aeronautical Radar Systems.

2. Demonstrate a technical understanding of Aeronautical Display Systems.

3. Provide engineering support and maintenance of Aeronautical Surveillance Radar Systems.

4.Provide engineering support and maintenance of Aeronautical Surveillance Display Systems.

Range of Surveillance Display Systems includes, but are not limited to:
> Radar tracking data processing, flight and surface data processing, Recording and Playback data processing, Human Machine Interface data processing, Digital Airfield Information Display Systems data processing and Support Suite Surveillance data processing systems [air and ground systems].

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

1.1 Radar engineering detection and transmission theories are explained in terms of principles, characteristics and functional application.
Range of radar engineering detection and transmission theories includes, but is not limited to:

Radar Range Prediction theory, Radar Cross Section theory, Radar Ground Echo theory, Radar Receiver theory, Radar Transmitter theory and Radar Antenna theory.

1.2 Radar engineering processing theories are discussed in terms of principles, characteristics and functional application.
Range: Radar engineering processing theories includes, but are not limited to:

Radar Automatic Detection, Tracking and Sensor Integration theory, Radar Pulse Compression theory, Radar Sea Clutter theory, CW and FM Radar theory, MTI Radar theory and Pulse Doppler Radar theory.

1.3 Radio engineering theories are described and explained in terms of principles, characteristics and functional application.
Range: Radio engineering theories includes, but is not limited to:

Electromagnetic Wave theory, Transmission Line theory, Reception and Transmission theory and Digital Signal Processing theory.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

2.1 Data communication theory is examined and explained in terms of the principles, characteristics and functional application.
Range: Principles includes, but is not limited to:

Data Transmission and Protocol Principles, Digital Communication Principles, Understanding Network Principles, Broadband, Wireless and Internet.

2.2 Surveillance Display Systems theory is discussed in terms of principles, characteristics and functional application.
Range: Surveillance Display Systems includes, but is not limited to:

Air & Ground Surveillance Local Display System (Air-Traffic Control Centre [ATCC], Air Surveillance Remote Display System [Terminal Control Units], Air & Ground Surveillance Test and Evaluation Display System [Support Suite System] and Air & Ground Surveillance Fallback Display System.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

3.1 Corrective and preventative maintenance is performed on PSR and SSR transmitter and receiver systems according to manufacturer's specifications and organisational procedures.
3.2 Corrective and preventative maintenance is performed on PSR and SSR signal and data processors according to manufacturer's specifications and organisational procedures.
3.3 Corrective and preventative maintenance is performed on PSR and SSR antennae systems according to manufacturer's specifications and organisational procedures.
3.4 Performance of Surveillance Radar Systems are measured and analysed in accordance with technical manual procedures and specifications and technical reports are compiled according to organisational procedures.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

4.1 Corrective and preventive maintenance for Display Surveillance equipment is performed according to organisational standing instructions, equipment manufacturer's instructions and quality management system procedures.
4.2 Performance of Display Surveillance equipment is analysed and measured in accordance with technical manual procedures and specifications and technical reports are compiled according to organisational procedures.
4.3 Maintenance support is conducted for Display Surveillance equipment in accordance with organisational support service procedures.

Integrated Assessment:

Integrated assessment at the level of the qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show that they are able to integrate concepts, ideas and actions across unit standards to achieve competence that is grounded and coherent in relation to the purpose of the qualification. Integrated assessment should show how already demonstrated competence in individual areas can be linked and applied for the achievement of a holistic outcome as described in the exit level outcomes.

Integrated assessment must judge the quality of the observable performance, and also the quality of the thinking that lies behind it. Assessment tools must encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision-making that underpin their demonstrated performance. Some assessment practices will demand practical evidence while others may be more theoretical, depending on the type of outcomes to be assessed. The ratio between action and interpretation is not fixed, but varies according to the demands of the particular exit level outcome of the qualification.

While the generic components of this qualification at NQF Level 6 can be assessed through occupational contexts and activities relating to Air Traffic Management, care must be taken in both the learning programme and the assessment to ensure that these foundational skills are portable. The primary aim of this qualification is to ensure that learners have a sound general foundation to prepare them for further learning towards a specialised role in their chosen career path. Learners must be able to transfer generic skills across a number of different contexts, and apply them within a number of learning areas.

A broad range of task-orientated and theoretical assessment tools may be used, with the distinction between practical knowledge and disciplinary knowledge maintained so that each takes its rightful place.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The institutions responsible for the education and training of engineering personnel in the aviation industry of many countries contacted were unwilling to share information that would assist in making a comparison with this National Diploma in Surveillance Systems: Engineering Support.

Countries and institutions that were included in the search for similar qualifications are:

United States (Federal Aviation Association).

Canada (NAV Canada).

Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority.

Airports Authority of India.

Air Services Australia.

Airways New Zealand.

Brazilian Airports.

Egypt Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Singapore Aviation Academy.

Eurocontrol (European Union).

International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronic Personnel.

Useful and usable information was obtained from "Eurocontrol" and "International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronic Personnel" (IFATSEA). The guidance material for technical training as obtained from these two institutions is described below.

Eurocontrol:

Eurocontrol is the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation. Created in 1963 by six founding members, this civil and military intergovernmental organisation now counts 38 Member States from across Europe. It is based in Belgium with specialised offices in six other European countries. The member countries include: Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, Cyprus, Estonia and Romania.

It is widely accepted that this career pathway of Engineering Support in the aviation industry comprises four learning areas, namely: Communication Systems, Navigation Systems, Display Systems and Radar Systems.

The European Organization for Safety in Air Navigation under its sub-division "European Air Traffic Management" has developed guidelines for a common qualification level for Technical Training for Air traffic Safety Electronics Personnel.

These guidelines refer to the following progression table for training of technical personnel:

Basic Training.

Qualification Training.

Type Rating.

Continuation Training or Refresher Training.

Development Training.

The "basic training" level compares closely in terms of the learning areas with the registered National Certificate in Communication, Navigation and Surveillance Support, NQF Level 5 (SAQA ID: 57229).

The "qualification training" and "type rating" training compares closely with the two National Diplomas in Communication & Navigation Systems and Surveillance Systems. The difference is that the "Type Rating" training focuses on only one of the four disciplines while each of the South African diplomas provides for two disciplines namely Communication and Navigation Systems in the one diploma and Surveillance (Radar and Display) Systems in the other diploma.

Furthermore, "Data Processing" is treated as a separate discipline in the Eurocontrol approach, while the South African approach is that it is a common thread that features in both the diplomas because data processing is viewed as being embedded in all aviation equipment.

The credit value for the European training of aviation technicians was not available for a direct comparison with the South African qualifications comprising this career pathway. The duration of the contact component of the European training compares closely with the South African diplomas.

The following reflects the comparison described above:

South African National Diploma's; European Air Traffic Management/IFATSEA:

Advanced Diploma in ATM Engineering (Proposed) Level 7; Continuation training and Development training.

National Diploma in Surveillance, Level 6, 250 credits; Type Rate Training in only one discipline i.e. Surveillance or Data Processing(credits unknown), Qualification Training in Surveillance and Data Processing, 124 credits.

National Certificate in CNS support, Level 5, 161 credits [SAQA ID: 57229]; Common Basic Level Training (approximately 150 to 170 credits).

International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronic Personnel (IFATSEA):

IFATSEA was founded in October 1972 by 11 countries; today member countries exceed 50 including: Canada, Greece, United Kingdom, Japan, Nigeria, Portugal, Belgium, Australia, Switzerland and Germany.

This institution has developed a Training Manual for Air Traffic Safety Electronic Personnel under supervision of the International Civil Aviation Organisation. This Training Manual follows very much the same profile as the Eurocontrol training progression model. The comparison is therefore similar to the comparison reflected in the table indicated above.

Zambia:

In 1999 a study of the National Airports Corporation Limited, Zambia, revealed that their Air Traffic Management Engineering Technicians are sent to the United Kingdom, Italy, United States of America and to South Africa for their ATM Engineering Technician training after having obtained an Electronic National Diploma Qualification in Zambia. Zambia does not present any qualification structure in place to give formal recognition to the ATM training received in these countries.

Conclusion:

This comparison reveals that there is a close similarity of the learning areas and duration of study between the eighty eight member states of Eurocontrol and IFATSEA programmes for training aviation technicians and this National Diploma in Surveillance. Students from other African States, following training courses in South Africa, will now be able to work toward being awarded this internationally benchmarked National Diploma qualification in Surveillance Systems.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

The possibility exists for vertical articulation with this Qualification. The following qualifications serve as examples of vertical articulation (subject to institutional admission rules):

Bachelor of Engineering: Electronic Engineering at NQF Level 7.

Bachelor of Science: Engineering at NQF Level 7.

Examples of horizontal articulation with this Qualification:

Bachelor of Engineering Sciences: Electronic at NQF Level 6.

ID 64089: National Diploma: Communication and Navigation: Engineering Support at NQF Level 6.

MODERATION OPTIONS

Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Qualification must be accredited by the relevant ETQA.

External Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA at its discretion.

The accredited Training Provider will oversee internal Moderation of assessment.

Moderation should encompass achievement of competence described in both individual Unit Standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification.

Moderation must also encompass achievement of the competencies described in the exit level outcomes described above.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The following criteria are specified for assessors of this qualification:

Assessors registered with the relevant ETQA must carry out the assessment of the candidates for any of the unit standards that make up this qualification.

Be competent in the outcomes of this qualification or one in the same field at a higher level, and have a minimum of three years in the Air Traffic Management engineering field.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015.

NOTES

N/A

UNIT STANDARDS:

	ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Core	15096	Demonstrate an understanding of stress in order to apply strategies to achieve optimal stress levels in personal and work situations	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	5
Core	252038	Prepare and manage a budget	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	5
Core	260061	Apply technical knowledge of Digital Airfield Information Display Systems data processing	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	10
Core	260067	Apply technical knowledge of Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR) and Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) antenna systems	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	15
Core	260068	Apply technical knowledge of Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR) signal and data processors	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	15
Core	260058	Apply technical knowledge of Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR) transmitters and receivers equipment	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	15
Core	259502	Apply technical knowledge of Recording and Playback Systems used in ground-based aviation environment	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	10
Core	260069	Apply technical knowledge of Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) signal and data processors	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	15
Core	260071	Apply technical knowledge of Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) transmitter and receiver equipment	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	15
Core	260063	Apply technical knowledge of Support Suite Surveillance data processing systems (Air and Ground Systems)	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	15
Core	260066	Apply technical knowledge of Surveillance Display Systems flight and surface data processing	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	15
Core	260072	Apply technical knowledge of Surveillance Display Systems Information Human Machine Interface data processing	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	10
Core	260073	Apply technical knowledge of Surveillance Display Systems radar tracking data processing	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	20
Fundamental	259508	Demonstrate a technical understanding of Data Communication Theory	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	15
Fundamental	260059	Demonstrate a technical understanding of Radar Engineering Detection and Transmission Theory	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	10
Fundamental	260065	Demonstrate a technical understanding of Radar Engineering Processing Theory	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	10
Fundamental	259501	Demonstrate a technical understanding of Radio Engineering Theory	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	10
Fundamental	260062	Demonstrate a technical understanding of Surveillance Display Systems theory	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	20
Elective	260060	Apply technical knowledge of Air-traffic Flow Management data processing	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	10
Elective	260070	Apply technical knowledge of Display Systems Communication Interface data processing	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	10
Elective	260057	Demonstrate and apply technical knowledge of Air-Ground data processing	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	10

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

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