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: 

Operate an aircraft in the airport environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243338  Operate an aircraft in the airport environment 
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  4 
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 learners to perform airport operations during Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight by day and by night for commercial purposes. Learners must perform airport operations in compliance with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or Military Aviation Authority (MAA) Regulations and safe flying practice. This unit standard refers specifically to the operating of an aircraft within the environment of airports, both on the ground and in the air. The learner will have to practically demonstrate competence in this unit standard in a real or simulated environment. Learners will complete this unit standard within the context of commercial piloting.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Conduct aircraft start up procedure.
  • Taxi the aircraft.
  • Fly the aircraft in accordance with the prescribed traffic pattern requirements.
  • Fly visual arrival and departure procedures.
  • Conduct aircraft shutdown procedure. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Mathematics at NQF Level 4.
  • Physical Science at NQF Level 4.
  • Communication at NQF Level 4.
  • Conduct pre and post flight procedures and administration for.
  • Control the aircraft by visual reference in normal flight. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • 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 aircraft flight manual and pilot operating handbook.
  • 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.
    > Assessments shall be carried out in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), by day and by night.
  • 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 to within ¼ of the balance ball.

    Asymmetric flight (applicable only to multi-engine aircraft).

    > 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. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Conduct aircraft start up procedure. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Start up procedures must be performed in accordance with accepted good airmanship practices such as clearance of the area before starting, avoidance of propeller/jet blast/rotor down wash sensitive areas and assuring a clear taxi path. This outcome must be assessed in a real or simulated environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Engine(s) is started up in accordance with the aircraft flight manual and pilot operating handbook. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Aircraft systems are started and checked in accordance with aircraft flight manual and pilot operating handbook. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Aircraft systems include but are not limited to environmental system and navigation systems.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Non-normal and emergency situations during start are identified in real or simulated scenarios. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Non-normal and emergency situations include but are not limited to: failure of an engine to start; fire; hot or hung start; failure of helicopter rotor to engage and non-normal engine instrument indications.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Procedures to deal with non-normal and emergency situations during start up are demonstrated in real or simulated scenarios. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Taxi the aircraft. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Taxi-ing the aircraft is to be assessed prior to flight, after landing and when repositioning the aircraft on the airport. If the assessment is carried out in a helicopter, "Taxi" includes hover taxi. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Clearance is obtained in accordance with local air traffic procedures and air traffic control instructions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    At uncontrolled airports and at airports with AFIS in operation "Clearance" and "Instructions" may include advice from AFIS and/or instructions from the assessor. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Taxi-ing checks are conducted in accordance with aircraft flight manual and pilot operating handbook. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Checks include but are not limited to brake check, flight instruments, flight controls.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Taxi speed, path and technique are adjusted to suit local conditions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Conditions include but are not limited to wind direction and speed, surface conditions, congestion, ground slope, marshalling signals, taxiway and runway markings and lights, propeller slip stream/jet blast, right of way rules.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Continuous situational awareness is demonstrated during taxi-ing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Taxiway centre line or marking is followed while taxi-ing. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Followed refers to the taxiway centre line or marking being kept between the main landing gear of the aircraft, except where deviation is necessary to remain clear from obstacles.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Corrective actions are taken in the event of brake or steering failure. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Actions include but are not limited to engine shut-down, ground loop.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Fly the aircraft in accordance with the prescribed traffic pattern requirements. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Flying must be performed in accordance with accepted good airmanship practices such as spacing from other traffic, flying an appropriate distance from the runway, traffic pattern altitude, correction for wind drift, orientation of the aircraft with respect to the runway in use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Aircraft is flown within general flight tolerances. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Traffic pattern is adjusted in accordance with prevailing circumstances. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Circumstances include but are not limited to controlled and uncontrolled airports, runway incursion and collision avoidance, wake turbulence, wind shear, visibility, noise abatement considerations, change of runway in use.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Checks and procedures are conducted in accordance with prescribed standard operating procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Checks and procedures includes is not limited to: Operator's standard operating procedures; checklists; manufacturer's recommended procedures.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Fly visual arrival and departure procedures. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Flying must be performed in accordance with Air Traffic Control instructions and accepted good airmanship practices such as consideration of noise-sensitive areas, selection of best runway to use on arrival at unmanned airfields. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Traffic pattern is departed in accordance with prescribed routing and altitude. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Traffic pattern is joined in accordance with prescribed routing and altitude. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Checks and procedures are conducted in accordance with prescribed standard operating procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Checks and procedures include but are not limited to those prescribed in the AIP, operator's standard operating procedures; manufacturer's recommended procedures; altimeter setting procedures.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Speed restrictions are adhered to within a real and simulated environment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Conduct aircraft shutdown procedure. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Shut down procedures must be performed in accordance with accepted good airmanship practices. This outcome must be assessed in a real or simulated environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Engine(s) is shut down in accordance with AFM (Aircraft Flight Manual) and POH (Pilot Operating Handbook). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Aircraft systems are switched off in accordance with AFM and POH. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Aircraft systems may include but are not limited to environmental systems and navigation systems.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Possible non-normal and emergency situations during shut downs are identified in real or simulated scenarios. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Non-normal and emergency situations may include but are not limited to fire and people or obstacles in the vicinity of the aircraft.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Procedures to deal with non-normal and emergency situations during shut down are demonstrated in real or simulated scenarios. 


    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 
  • Rules and Regulations in general and specific to the airport.

    Radio Communication procedures with:

    > ATC.
    > Aerodrome Flight Information Service.
    > Other aircraft.

    Interpretation of charts:

    > Aerodrome charts.
    > Arrival and Departure charts.
    > World Aeronautical Charts (WAC).

    Airport, runway and taxi way markings and lighting:
  • ATC light signals, runway markings, runway lighting, traffic pattern indicators, wind direction indicator, approach path indicator lights.
  • Meteorological conditions.
  • General and type specific technical knowledge of the aircraft.
  • Aerodynamics applicable to configuration changes in the circuit, during climbs, descents and level flight.
  • Aircraft systems and checklists.
  • Identification and knowledge of the characteristics of other aircraft types that may be encountered in the pattern. 
    		•

    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 during:
  • Acting as sole pilot or member of a flight crew.
  • Communicating with Air Traffic Services (ATS) and organising the flight in cognisance to other air traffic. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when:
  • Plan ahead.
  • Compliance 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:
  • Identifying symptoms of instrument, system and engine malfunction. 
    		•

    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 is in accordance with standard procedures and phraseology to ensure clarity and brevity of communication is achieved. 
    		•

    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 aircraft flight manual and pilot operating handbook.
  • 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.
  • AFIS: Aerodrome flight information service.
  • VMC: Visual Meteorological Conditions.
  • ATS: Air Traffic Services.
  • ATC: Air Traffic Control.
  • WAC: World aeronautical chart.

    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.