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: 

Conduct mission control for practice patterns 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
120049  Conduct mission control for practice patterns 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Air Defence 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Sovereignty of the State 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
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 will be useful to learners who are required to control a mission based on practice pattern profiles.

Learners credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of practice pattern control technique
  • Accept positive control of aircraft for practice patterns
  • Provide positive control of practice patterns 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation for this unit standard is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Inducted into the South African military
  • Communication at NQF level 4
  • Communicating on a radio
  • Conducting mission control for combat profiles 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    This unit standard is limited to heart, diamond, racecourse and front sector approaches.

    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate understanding of practice pattern control technique. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Geometry of practice patterns is explained in terms of their impact on the result of an interception. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes aeroplane performance parameters, relative position, track, ground speed and height.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The phases of practice patterns are identified in terms of a given scenario. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Practice patterns are identified in terms of their advantages and disadvantages in a given scenario. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes meteorological conditions, aircraft performance, radar coverage, operational area, distance to intercept point.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Potential emergency scenarios are assessed in terms of their impact on the mission. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Emergency scenarios include communication failure, engine failure, electrical failure, hydraulic failure, compass error/failure, airframe damage, armament malfunction, fuel transfer anomalies and mid air collisions.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Actions required to handle the scenario are explained in terms of minimising the impact of the emergency. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The reasons why maintaining calm and presence of mind is explained in relation to personal safety, survival and well-being of others. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The risks associated with night flying are identified and described in terms of the impact on the mission. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes manoeuvrability, disorientation, fatigue, visibility, differing light conditions, recovery aids, diversion airfields, weather.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Situational awareness is described in terms of factors that may influence the mission outcome and flight conditions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes safety, tactical considerations and environmental conditions.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Accept positive control of aircraft for practice patterns. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Aircraft are positively identified in terms of standard operating procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes identification code, position, altitude, manoeuvring, heading.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Positive handover and acceptance-of-control procedures are complied with in terms of the prescribed mission control technique. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Aircraft are tracked in terms of positive identification. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Tracking includes direction, speed, call sign, formation strength and identification category.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Provide positive control of practice patterns. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Geometry of practice patterns is applied in accordance with standard operating procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes aeroplane performance parameters, relative position, weapons envelope parameters, track, ground speed and height.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Practice patterns are selected in terms of their advantages for the mission. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Practice patterns are executed in terms of the intercept geometry and tactical scenario. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes own and enemy aircraft performances and weapons parameters.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The phases of the selected pattern are initiated in terms of the factors determining the pattern to be used. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Factors include allocated airspace, meteorological conditions, aircraft performance and radar coverage.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Patterns are positively controlled in accordance with prescribed control techniques. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes liaison, fuel management, air space management, radio-telephony procedures, brevity code, clearances, hand over procedures, general flight safety considerations, airmanship, rules of combat.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Control and liaison communication is conducted in terms of prescribed radiotelephony procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Actions to resolve an emergency are conducted in terms of minimising the impact on the mission. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Circumstances and factors are evaluated in terms of the mission outcome and flight conditions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Circumstances include safety, tactical considerations and environmental conditions.
     


    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 
  • NATO brevity (communication specific message)
  • Names, functions and locations of:

    > Mission control rules and regulations
    > Operational environment and area of operational responsibility
    > Location of all military assets and readiness states
    > Ground and air based systems
    > Command and control authorities
  • Purpose of processes and procedures of:

    > Mission controlling functions
    > Identification
    > Positive control
    > Tactical controlling procedures
    > In-flight Command and Control
    > Platform limitations and the effect thereof on certain procedures
    > Accurate planning, calculations and execution
    > Air Picture Display Systems
    > Correct radio telephony procedures
    > Correct mission control/NATO brevity code
    > Communication liaison
    > Airspace rules and regulations
    > In-flight emergencies
    > Handover to other ATSU
    > Night/day operations
  • Attributes, properties, characteristics related to:

    > Airspace dimensions and limitations
    > Radar and radio systems
    > Airborne platforms
    > Other flying activities
    > Aviation safety
    > Concentration
    > Multiple calculations
    > Military/national security concepts
    > Objectivity
    > Timely decision making
    > Security culture of the military environment
    > Stakeholders and their rights
  • Cause and effect, implications of:

    > Multi enemy environment
    > ECM, ECCM on radar, radio and airborne platforms
    > ESM
    > Integrated system relationships
    > Emergencies
    > Selected practice pattern profiles
    > Height profiles
    > Meteorological conditions
    > The responsibility and accountability for security (personnel, personal, document, Information Computer Technology and physical and material)
    > Security breaches
    > Restrictions and limitations (Air Force/operational restrictions, standing instructions, standard operating procedures, aircraft performance)
    > Security clearance
  • Categories of things, processes, concepts:

    > Aircraft identification
    > Enemy capabilities/limitations
    > Own force capabilities/limitations
    > Terminology
    > Radar
    > Radio
    > Electronic warfare
    > Airspace dimensions and limitations
    > Domains of security (personnel, personal, document, Information Computer Technology and physical and material)
    > Levels of security
    > Contingency measures (personnel, personal, document, Information Computer Technology and physical and material)
    > Security competence
    > Classification of information
    > Counter measures (personnel, personal, document, Information Computer Technology and physical and material)
    > The need for a regulatory framework
    > Secrecy
    > Handling of classified information
    > Reliability
    > Punctuality
    > Integrity
  • Procedures and techniques:

    > Identification
    > Positive control
    > Profile selection technique
    > Practice pattern profile techniques
    > In-flight reports
    > Emergencies
    > Fuel/time management
    > Aviation safety
    > Calculations
  • Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies:

    > The Constitution of South Africa
    > The relevant legislation relating to military environment
    > Departmental policies and directives
    > The Code of Conduct
    > Agreements with clients
    > Memoranda of understanding
    > Law of Armed Conflict
  • Theory - rules, laws, principles:

    > War
    > Interception geometry
    > Dive circle calculations
    > Aerodynamics
    > Meteorology
    > Terminology
    > NATO/SAAF Brevity
  • Relationships, systems between:

    > Mobile and static systems
    > All levels of command
    > Other ATSU
    > Other traffic

    Airspace limitations (restricted areas, corridors, active bombing ranges etc) 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and / or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others. 

    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:

    Terms used in this unit standard are generic to the military and aviation industries. In particular:
  • Positive control is the identifying and active controlling of an aeroplane through clear and concise instructions and information.
  • Scramble is the process of getting an aeroplane airborne from a state of readiness.

    Abbreviations:

    NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
    ATSU: Air Traffic Service Unit
    SAAF: South African Air Force
    ECM: Electronic Counter Measures
    ECCM: Electronic Counter Counter Measures
    ESM: Electronic Surveillance Measures

    Notes to assessors:

    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  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 
    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 


    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.