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: 

Control aircraft by visual reference in normal flight 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243331  Control aircraft by visual reference in normal flight 
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  7 
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 enable the learner to climb the aircraft; maintain straight and level flight; descend the aircraft; turn the aircraft and perform combinations of these manoeuvres in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) by day and by night, in compliance with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or Military Aviation Authority (MAA) Regulations and safe flying practice. This unit standard is intended for a learner within the context of commercial piloting.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Fly and manage the aircraft during climbing manoeuvres by visual reference.
  • Fly and manage the aircraft during straight and level phase of flight by visual reference within general flight tolerances.
  • Fly and manage the aircraft during descending manoeuvres by visual reference within general flight tolerances.
  • Fly and manage the aircraft during turning manoeuvres by visual reference within general flight tolerances. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The typical scope of this unit standard:
  • Assessment of the learner shall be conducted in compliance with CAA/MAA Regulations and in accordance with safe flying practice.
  • The aircraft and its systems shall be operated within the limitations expressed in the AFM/POH.
  • Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) is not to be assessed as a stand-alone element. However, the outcomes resulting from CRM can be assessed. CRM is integral to flight and flight safety. Procedural elements of CRM are to be assessed throughout the assessment of all outcomes in a holistic and integrated way.
    > Range of procedural elements include but are not limited to: Use of checklists, crew briefings, radio calls, and callouts.
  • Assessment:

    > Assessments shall be conducted in an aircraft certified for single pilot operation.
    > If a multi-engine aircraft is provided for assessment, the learner shall be assessed on competence in carrying out appropriate manoeuvres with one engine (simulated) inoperative.
    > Assessment shall be carried out in VMC.
  • Competence shall be assessed in a single or multi-engine aeroplane with retractable undercarriage and adjustable flaps, and variable pitch propeller, or turbo-propeller or turbo-jet engines, or in a helicopter with a maximum certificated mass of at least 500 kg. An equivalent flight simulator approved by the regulatory authority may be substituted for the aircraft.
  • Tolerances:

    > The assessor shall make allowance for environmental conditions and the handling qualities and performance of the type of aircraft.
    > Assessors should not over emphasize staying within the tolerances at the expense of smooth flying.

    > General Flying:

    > ± 5 ° heading, ± 5 kts IAS, ± 50 ft altitude.
    > Aircraft is balanced within ¼ of the ball.

    > Asymmetric flight (applicable only to multi-engine aeroplane):

    > Heading ± 5 °, +10 / -5 kts IAS, ± 100 ft altitude.
    > Aircraft is balanced to within ½ of the balance ball.
  • Emergencies (simulated):
    > Under no circumstances shall the aircraft or its occupants be placed in jeopardy.
  • Good airmanship appropriate to the level of the unit standard should be demonstrated for all outcomes. Additional elements of airmanship specific to outcomes are indicated in range statements within assessment criteria.
  • High speed effects and high altitude flying do not form part of the assessment of the learner. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Fly and manage the aircraft during climbing manoeuvres by visual reference. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Climb is entered and the desired climb flight path is achieved in accordance with prescribed procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Prescribed procedures: include but are not limited to general flight tolerances, safe flying practices, manufacturer's recommended procedures, adherence to Air Traffic Control instructions, proper lookout, engine management and establishing aircraft configuration and pitch attitude.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Desired climb flight path is maintained within the general flight tolerances. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Flight path includes but is not limited to maximum rate of climb, maximum angle of climb, cruise climb, climbing at a specific rate of climb and/or airspeed, climbing with different flap and undercarriage configurations.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Transition from climb to level flight is established within general flight tolerances. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Transition includes but is not limited to maximising passenger comfort, acceleration to nominated speed.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions are adhered to during climbing manoeuvres. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Instructions include but are not limited to Air Traffic Control clearances and instructions, simulated Air Traffic Control clearances and instructions, Air Traffic Service (ATS) advice and information, awareness of transition altitude.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Fly and manage the aircraft during straight and level phase of flight by visual reference within general flight tolerances. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The flight and management of the aircraft must be conducted in accordance with the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Straight and level phase of flight is established at nominated power at determined altitude. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Fuselage is maintained laterally parallel to the horizon/straight and level phase of flight is maintained on a constant heading. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Straight and level flight is maintained at various power settings and configurations and during transitions between different power settings and configurations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Power settings include but are not limited to slow cruise flight, flying for range and endurance.
  • Configuration includes, but is not limited to different flap and undercarriage settings.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Fly and manage the aircraft during descending manoeuvres by visual reference within general flight tolerances. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The flight and management of the aircraft must be conducted in accordance with the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Descent is entered and the desired descent flight path is achieved by visual reference. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Descent entry includes but is not limited to proper lookout, establishing aircraft configuration (different flap and undercarriage settings etc), engine management (power settings, mixture control settings, turbocharger considerations and monitoring of engine temperatures/pressures), pitch attitude control.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Desired descent flight path is maintained by visual reference. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Descent flight path includes but is not limited to minimum rate of descent, maximum range power-off descent, cruise descend, descending at a specific rate of descent and/or airspeed, descent with different flap and undercarriage configurations.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Transition from descent to level flight is established and level flight is maintained by visual reference. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Transition includes but is not limited to maximising passenger comfort, acceleration to nominated speed.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions are adhered during descending manoeuvres. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Instructions include but are not limited to Air Traffic Control clearances and instructions, simulated Air Traffic Control clearances and instructions, Air Traffic Service (ATS) advice and information, awareness of transition altitude.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Fly and manage the aircraft during turning manoeuvres by visual reference within general flight tolerances. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The flight and management of the aircraft must be conducted in accordance with the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Turn is entered and the desired bank angle or rate of turn is achieved in visual conditions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Turn entry includes but is not limited to proper lookout, establishing aircraft configuration (different flap and undercarriage settings), engine management (power settings, mixture control settings, turbocharger considerations and monitoring of engine temperatures/pressures), pitch attitude control.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Desired turning flight path is maintained by visual reference. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Turning flight path includes but is not limited to maximum rate turns, medium level turns at angles up to 30 degrees, Rate 1 turns, climbing turns and descending turns.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Transition from turning to straight and level flight is established by visual reference. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Transition includes but is not limited to maximising passenger comfort, maintaining speed, rolling out onto specific headings or headings towards specific landmarks.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions are adhered to during turning manoeuvres. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Instructions include but are not limited to Air Traffic Control clearances and instructions, simulated Air Traffic Control clearances and instructions, Air Traffic Service (ATS) advice and information, awareness of transition altitude.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA in accordance with the current ETQA regulations.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Other ETQA's who have a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA would be responsible for moderation of learner achievements of learners who meet the requirements of this qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • The definition of airmanship.
  • Definition of situational awareness.
  • Aircraft Flight Manual/Pilot Operating Handbook procedures.
  • Aircraft systems.
  • Air Traffic Control procedures.
  • Communication channels.
  • Aviation legislation.
  • Aviation operations.
  • The processes in providing operational planning.
  • Standard operating procedures.
  • Operational procedures, methods and techniques.
  • Civil Aviation Act as amended.
  • Civil Aviation Regulations and Technical Standards.
  • Military Aviation Regulations.
  • ICAO. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Planning and performing flights to achieve objectives within the constraints of the aircraft limitations and regulatory requirements. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community when:
  • Acting as pilot-in-command of a flight crew.
  • Communicating with Air Traffic Service (ATS) and organising the flight in cognisance of other air traffic.
  • Establishing and maintaining an open communication environment conducive to good team work. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when:
  • Planning ahead.
  • Complying with applicable legislation.
  • Performing appropriate checks and procedures.
  • Using checklists where appropriate.
  • Exercising command ability and manoeuvring the aircraft within its limits in order to achieve the desired outcomes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information to better understand and explain:
  • Symptoms of instrument, system and engine malfunctions.
  • Changes to the conditions and the prevailing weather.
  • Changes to the traffic flow which may require adaptation of the flight path. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion when:
  • Radio and cockpit communication are used in accordance with standard procedures and phraseology to ensure clarity and brevity of communication is achieved.
  • Establishing and maintaining an open communication environment conducive to good team work. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when:
  • Proper and effective visual scanning to clear the area before and while performing manoeuvres by visual reference.
  • Operation of the aircraft and its systems in accordance with the AFM/POH.
  • Taking prompt corrective action when tolerances are exceeded.
  • Flying the aircraft in such a way that tolerance exceedences are kept to a minimum. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when:
  • A high level of situational awareness is maintained.
  • Airspace restrictions and requirements are adhered to.
  • Curfews, noise abatement procedures and other measures to minimise disturbance to the environment and the public are observed.
  • Safe flying practice is maintained. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
  • The assessor must hold a recognised relevant civil or military flying instructor certification as applicable to the stream of assessment.
  • The assessor must be competent in the outcomes of this unit standard. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Learners who are not competent in the language proficiency standard for ICAO defined operational English at ICAO level 4 will find it difficult to meet licensing requirements.

    Use of distractions during practical assessment:

    Numerous studies indicate that many accidents have occurred when the pilot has been distracted during critical phases of flight. To strengthen this area of pilot training and evaluation, the assessor shall provide a realistic distraction during the flight portion of the practical test. This will give the assessor a positive opportunity to evaluate the learner's ability to divide attention both inside and outside the cockpit while maintaining safe flight.

    The information contained in this unit standard does not supersede any information contained in manufacturer's instructions or any law.

    Abbreviations:
  • MAA: Military Aviation Authority.
  • CAA: Civil Aviation Authority.
  • CRM: Cockpit Resource Management.
  • AFM: Aircraft flight Manual.
  • POH: Pilots Operating Handbook.
  • VMC: Visual Meteorological Conditions.
  • ATS: Air Traffic Services.
  • VFR: Visual Flight Rules.

    Definitions:
  • Airmanship is defined as incorporating the ability to make sound judgements and execution of safe practices.
  • Situational awareness: The perception of the elements in the environment within a volume of time and space, the comprehension of their meaning, and the projection of their status in the near future. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58023   National Diploma: Aircraft Piloting  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.
     
    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.