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: 

Support and maintain VHF voice communication transmission equipment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
230205  Support and maintain VHF voice communication transmission equipment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Aerospace Operations 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Physical Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  10 
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 
The qualifying learner will be capable of supporting and maintaining the air/ground, Very High Frequency (VHF) radio communications transmitters and associated remote control equipment used by Air Traffic Control.

Qualifying learners will be capable of:
  • Performing corrective maintenance.
  • Performing routine preventive maintenance.
  • Analysing and measuring equipment performance.
  • Conducting maintenance support. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that a learner will be competent in:
  • Communication at NQF level 4 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF level 4 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    VHF Air/Ground voice communication transmission equipment includes but is not limited to; Transmitters, Aerial Systems and remote control equipment. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Perform corrective maintenance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Contact with customers is initiated and equipment failure verified according to set organisational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    System is restored by means of remote control equipment or by on-site module replacement in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Corrective fault diagnosis is conducted using remote control equipment and on-site built in test equipment in accordance with organisational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Corrective fault diagnosis is conducted and faulty modules are identified using test equipment and built in test equipment according to set organisational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Faulty modules and components are identified using depot repair test equipment according to manufacturer's instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Corrective maintenance is conducted by means of remote control equipment according to manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Modules are replaced in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and set organisational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Components are replaced at depot level in accordance with manufacturer' specifications and organisational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    The fault finding logic processes employed, the choice of tools and test equipment used, are explained using examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Perform routine preventive maintenance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Preventive maintenance requirements are scheduled and confirmed with customers following organisational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Preventive maintenance is carried out in accordance with routine maintenance schedules for VHF equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    VHF transmitters, remote control maintenance and monitoring systems are maintained in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The implications of failing to carry out preventive maintenance are explained using examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Analyse and measure equipment performance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Equipment performance is analysed and measured using remote control monitoring and maintenance systems in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    On-the-bench performance measurements are carried out on transmitters using depot test equipment according to organisational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Performance figures are evaluated and verified against manufacturer's specifications and ICAO recommendations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Technical reports are compiled and the status and performance of Air/Ground communications equipment is recorded following organisational procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Conduct maintenance support. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Stores work is carried out in accordance with Air/Ground communications equipment support service procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Spares, tools and material are drawn from stores in accordance with stores procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Faulty modules are returned to stores in accordance with stores procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    All maintenance records, job cards and fault reports are completed in accordance with ground based Air/Ground communication equipment support service requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Computer Based Maintenance Management System is updated with all logistics data in accordance with Air/Ground communications equipment support service procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Housekeeping activities are performed at all remote Air/Ground communications sites in accordance with organisational procedures. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard and the related exit level outcomes of the 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.
  • Internal and external moderation should encompass achievement of competence described in the specific outcomes of the unit standard as well as the integrated competence described in the purpose of the unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Service Level Agreement in place between Air Traffic Control and Technical Support for VHF Communications.
  • ICAO recommendations and practices pertaining to Air / Ground VHF Voice Communications.
  • Maintenance theory and the concepts of reliability, availability and maintainability.
  • Air routes and the impact of VHF Communications serviceability on the safety of air navigation along these routes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems when carrying out fault diagnosis thereby ensuring that appropriate remedial actions are initiated for the effective restoration of failed or defective VHF Air/Ground Communication systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others by informing and confirming scheduled preventive maintenance routines with customers. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Employ self-management by working alone and unsupervised when carrying out maintenance or repair work to VHF Air /Ground sites situated in remote locations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Manage information contained in data specifications for test equipment and diagnostic systems, information supplied in handbooks, maintenance schedules and performance logs to ensure accurate evaluation of VHF Air/Ground Communication systems support and maintenance requirements. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively ensuring that information communicated via technical reports is accurately recorded in a neat and logical format that can be readily accessed and understood by end-users and that ongoing oral communication is maintained with calibration teams and Air Traffic Control during preventive or corrective maintenance operations carried out on VHF Air/Ground Communication systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Demonstrate scientific and technological competence by applying knowledge and understanding of scientific processes to the correct use of sophisticated, high technology test equipment and diagnostic systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that the role of the technician is a vital part of the integrated radio communication system which is used by Air Traffic Control, Airline Pilots and the flying community at large and as such should therefore not be regarded as a role which is performed in isolation of this network. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
  • Assessors must be registered as assessors with a relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessors must be in possession of a relevant qualification at a minimum of NQF level 7. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Supplementary Information

    The Engineering Technician performs three levels of maintenance, namely "O', "I" and "D" maintenance.

    "O" Level maintenance. (Operator level maintenance) is carried out by maintenance and operator staff. Equipment fault diagnosis and restoration of service by reconfiguration will be by means of supervisor positions and remote control and monitoring equipment.

    "I" Level maintenance. (Intermediate level maintenance) is carried out by maintenance staff at the sites and the local workshop. Routine preventive maintenance is also carried out on the systems and corrective fault diagnosis, down to module (LRU) level where faults are rectified through module replacement. Only limited repairs to modules where PCB replacement is possible or where a low technology is required will take place at this level. This level of maintenance includes maintenance to the buildings at the site as well as the site itself such as the roads, grass cutting, fencing, aerials, power and communications from the point of supply.

    "D" Level maintenance. (Depot level maintenance) This covers software and hardware and where faulty modules are returned to the central workshop depot, Supplier or their agents for repair/exchange.

    Routine maintenance schedules have been prepared and are in place for each system based on manufacturers' recommendations, operational requirements and support requirements determined from actual field experience during the operational life of the systems.

    International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommendations publishes recommendations and standards for all communications, navigational and surveillance systems used in aviation. The ICAO Annex 10 publication includes the recommendations and standards for communication systems. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  57229   National Certificate: Communications, Navigation and Surveillance Support  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  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.