SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate understanding of aircraft instrumentation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
120045  Demonstrate understanding of aircraft instrumentation 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Air Defence 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  6 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard forms part of the learning of the learner in operating in the field of air transport aviation. Learners who have achieved this unit standard will increase their opportunity for professional development and employment within the aviation industry.

The learner credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Use aircraft instrumentation
  • Describe automatic flight control systems for heading and height control
  • Demonstrate an understanding of on-board warning and recording equipment
  • Describe powerplant and system monitoring instruments
  • Manage and monitor the appropriate on-board environment 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Mathematics at NQF Level 4
  • Physical Science at NQF Level 4 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The terms "aircraft" and "aeroplane" are used as synonyms where appropriate.
  • Instruments are those commonly fitted to small aircraft used in commercial operations and/or required by the relevant regulations.
  • Description of the construction and operation of the instruments is discussed in generic terms only and does not require specific knowledge of any particular model.
  • Description of instrument operation includes but is not limited to checking, calibration, adjustment and interpretation of instruments.
  • Air transport aviation includes both commercial and military aviation.
  • Small aircraft refers to aircraft with a maximum certified mass not exceeding 5700kg. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe aircraft instrumentation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Air data instruments are discussed in terms of principles of operation, construction, accuracy and errors. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Air data instruments include but are not limited to: Pitot/static systems, altimeter, airspeed indicator, mach meter, vertical speed indicator (VSI), air data computer (ADC).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Gyroscopic instruments are explained in term of principles of operation, construction, accuracy and errors. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Gyroscopic instruments refer to: Directional gyroscope, slaved gyrocompass, attitude indicator (vertical gyro), turn and bank indicator (rate gyro).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Magnetic compasses are described in terms of construction and operating principles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Magnetic compasses refer to: Direct reading compass, remote reading compass.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Radio altimeter is described in terms of its principles of operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) is discussed in terms of its principles of operation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe automatic flight control systems for heading and height control. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Flight director is described in terms of its function and application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Autopilots are discussed in terms of their types, functions and applications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Yaw dampers are explained in terms of their operating principles. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of on-board warning and recording equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    General warning systems are listed according to their classification. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    General warning systems includes but are not limited to:
  • Warnings (Red).
  • Cautions (Amber).
  • Normal operations (Green).
  • High current (Blue).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Altitude alert systems are explained in terms of their function and operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The overspeed and stall warning systems are explained in terms of their functions and operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Flight data and cockpit voice recorders are discussed in term of their functions and operation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Describe powerplant and systems monitoring instruments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Pressure sensors and or gauges are explained in term of their uses in aircraft. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Temperature gauges are described in terms of their use in aircraft. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Temperature gauges include but is not limited to:
  • Engines.
  • Outside air temperature.
  • Fuel and oil.
  • Cabin.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Revolutions per minute indicators are explained in terms of their types, components and uses. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Fuel measurement is explained in term of volume, mass and consumption. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Torque meters are described in terms of their function and operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Flight hour meters are explained in term of their operating principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Electronic and mechanical remote (signal) transmission systems are described in terms of their operating principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Electronic displays are described in terms of their operation and use. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Manage and monitor the appropriate on board environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Pressurisation systems and instrument indications are identified and described in terms of their operating principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Instruments for monitoring and controlling environmental control systems are described in term of their operating principles and use. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.

    Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.

    Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.

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

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Flight instrumentation
  • The physics of gases and the atmosphere
  • Air data instruments
  • The physics of gyroscopes
  • Electronics
  • Gyroscopic instruments
  • Terrestrial and ferromagnetism
  • Magnetic compass
  • Radio altimeter
  • Electronic flight instrument system (EFIS)

    Automatic flight control systems
  • Flight director
  • Autopilot
  • Yaw damper

    Warning and recording equipment
  • General warnings
  • Altitude alert system
  • Over speed and under speed warning
  • Stall warning system
  • Flight data recorder
  • Cockpit voice recorder

    Powerplant, system monitoring instruments and displays
  • Pressure gauges
  • Temperature gauges
  • RPM indicator
  • Consumption gauges
  • Fuel gauge
  • Torque meter
  • Flight hour meter
  • Vibration monitoring
  • Remote (signal) transmission system
  • Electronic displays
  • All other gauges and displays specific to on-board systems 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    The learner is able to identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made by:
  • Recognising irregular electro-mechanical instrument readings and taking appropriate action to ensure flight safety.
  • Recognising and managing incorrect information displayed on electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) displays to ensure flight safety.
  • Recognising and managing automatic flight control problems to ensure flight safety.
  • Demonstrating an understanding of and managing false warnings from aircraft warning systems to ensure flight safety. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse and critically evaluate information by:
  • Evaluating and integrating the information displayed by a variety of cockpit instruments and displays to ensure safe and efficient navigation and operation of an aircraft. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by:
  • Understanding the scientific principles used to generate appropriate information on electro-mechanical and EFIS displays in the cockpit.
  • Understanding how to control the environment of the aeroplane through instrument interpretation thereby ensuring passenger comfort and a comfortable working environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation by:
  • Understanding the hazards of focussing on a particular sub-system to the exclusion of other information available from the instrumentation displays in the cockpit.
  • Understanding the importance of enhancing situational awareness through the use of information available from the instrumentation displays in the cockpit and the resultant impact on flight safety. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Terminology
  • Qualitative means description, which makes minimal use of mathematical formulae and computations.
  • Small aeroplanes are defined as aeroplanes with a maximum certificated mass not exceeding 5700kg.

    Abbreviations:

    VSI: Vertical Speed Indicator
    RPM: Revolutions per Minute
    ADC: Air Data Computer
    EFIS: Electronic Flight Instrument System 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49853   National Diploma: Defensive Mission Control  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2008-09-17  Was SAS SETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Fundamental  63309   National Certificate: Defensive Mission Control  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 
    Fundamental  49950   National Certificate: Navigation  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2015-06-30  TETA 
    Fundamental  58023   National Diploma: Aircraft Piloting  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2016-12-31  TETA 
    Elective  58581   National Certificate: Air Traffic Support  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  TETA 
    Elective  60549   National Diploma: Aeronautical Information Management Practice  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2016-12-31  TETA 
    Elective  50500   National Diploma: Electronic Warfare  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 
    Elective  66109   National Diploma: Aircraft Performance Engineering  Level 6  NQF Level 06  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2016-12-31  TETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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.
     
    1. Aviation Training Academy 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.