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: 

Monitor and operate communication control and switching systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
230206  Monitor and operate communication control and switching systems 
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 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 
The qualifying learner will be capable of monitoring and operating communication control and switching systems used for Air Traffic Management.

Qualifying learners will be capable of:
  • Operating the communication control and switching system.
  • Monitoring system performance.
  • Reconfiguring and restoring communication control and switching systems.
  • Evaluating the impact of equipment failure. 
    		•

    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 
    Communication control and switching systems include but are not limited to: Communication switching and control systems and Air Traffic Control (ATC) communication positions. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Operate the communication control and switching system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The extent, purpose and location of all local and remote communication switching, control and monitoring equipment and all Air Traffic Control and technical support communication positions comprising the total system
    configuration is described according to organisational operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The operation of all maintenance positions and remote control monitoring and maintenance systems employed in the communication system is demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's technical manual. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Technical instructions pertaining to the communication control and switching system and Service Level Agreements with Air Traffic Control are understood and followed in accordance with Quality Management System procedures and the ICAO recommendations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Support contracts in place are explained and access to contact people is demonstrated using examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Monitor system performance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The status, configuration and functionality of all local and remote components of the communication control and switching system is established using remote control monitoring and maintenance systems (RCMMS) according to
    the technical manual. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Any deviation from status, configuration and functionality standards is recognised and communicated to all role players in accordance with organisational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Alert and error messages and alarm indicators are understood and the appropriate remedial action is taken in accordance with organisational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Reports are generated and logs maintained of the status, configuration and functionality of the communication control and switching system in accordance with organisational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The implications of failing to monitor system performance accurately and consistently are understood and explained with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Reconfigure and restore communication control and switching systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The nature and importance of configuration requirements of the communication control and switching system is explained according to organisational operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The impact any configuration changes may have on the service being provided by the communication control and switching system is explained using examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Reconfiguration of local and remote control and switching systems is carried out using maintenance positions and RCMMS according to the maintenance manual. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Configuration changes are co-ordinated with Air Traffic Controllers and other role players according to organisational operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Maintenance positions and RCMMS are used to restore local and remote Control and switching systems and air traffic controller positions in accordance with the technical manual. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Evaluate the impact of equipment failure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The inter-relationship between components of the communication control and switching system being monitored and operated and the manner in which the total communications system is utilised by Air Traffic Controllers
    is explained using examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance and priority of failures of components of the system are established in accordance with organisational operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The importance and significance of equipment failures are communicated to Air Traffic Controllers and technical support personnel according to organisational operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The appropriate remedial action for failure restoration is initiated 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 Communications systems.
  • Service Level Agreements in place with external service providers.
  • ICAO recommendations and practices pertaining to Communications systems.
  • Maintenance theory and the concepts of reliability, availability and maintainability.
  • Air routes and the impact of Communications System serviceability on the safety of air navigation along these routes.
  • Radio Communications.
  • National ATM Communications System architecture. 
    		•

    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 components of communication control and switching systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others when liaising with Air Traffic Controllers and other role players when re-configuring, resetting and restoring communication control and switching system components. 

    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 Air Traffic Control during the monitoring and operation of communication control and switching 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 used in communication control and switching systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that the role of technical personnel, is a vital part of the integrated 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 6. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  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 
    Elective  60549   National Diploma: Aeronautical Information Management Practice  Level 5  NQF Level 05  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.