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: 

Produce operational and Air Traffic Service (ATS) flight plans 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252127  Produce operational and Air Traffic Service (ATS) flight plans 
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  16 
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 formulate a decision as to whether an aircraft can be released for flight and to capture all the elements of this decision in the form of operational and Air Traffic Services (ATS) flight plans, in accordance with rules, regulations, policies and procedures, operational constraints and environmental factors.

The qualifying learner will be capable of:
  • Identifying and researching authorized and alternative authorised sources of data to be able to confirm that all applicable data have been used in formulating the decision.
  • Identifying and applying the appropriate rules to ensure that the flight is being released in accordance with all applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures, operational constraints and environmental factors.
  • Producing operational and Air Traffic Services (ATS) flight plans. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Mathematics at NQF Level 4 or equivalent.
  • Computer Literacy at NQF Level 3 or equivalent.
  • Physical Science at NQF Level 4 or equivalent.
  • Unit Standard: Determine the optimum route for the flight and identify, interpret and apply minima for take-off, landing and alternative aerodromes.
  • Unit Standard: Calculate and adjust aircraft weight and balance parameters. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Data for flight includes but are not limited to aeronautical information, meteorological information, environmental factors, routine and significant elements, factors of operational significance and special rules.
  • Policies, procedures and regulations include but are not limited to Weight and Balance Manual, Civil Aviation Regulations, Dangerous Goods Regulations, Airport Handling Manual, Passenger Procedures Manual, Ramp Handling Manual, Ramp Safety Policies and Procedures, Dispatch Deviation Manual or Minimum Equipment List as appropriate, Airworthiness Directives and manufacturer Service Bulletins and applicable company policies and procedures.
  • Decisions need to be formulated with due regard for safety, legality, viability, economic factors, customer convenience and comfort. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify and acquire data to be used in the preparation of the operational flight plan. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Aeronautical data includes but is not limited to Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) - coded and/or text, Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP) and supplements, Aeronautical Information Circulars, Airworthiness Directives, Air Traffic Flow Management Messages and navigational data.
  • Meteorological data includes but is not limited to synoptic charts, terminal area forecasts (TAF), meteorological area reports (METARS) and significant meteorological phenomena reports. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Sources of data and their supporting systems and applications are defined and explained in terms of their use. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Sources of data may include but are not limited to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Military Aviation Authority, Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), European Aviation Agency (EASA), European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) National Weather Services, Aircraft Manufacturers, Aeronautical Information Services, Air Traffic Services (ATS) and approved suppliers and vendors.
  • Supporting systems and applications may include but are not limited to computer, telephone, facsimile, radio and other multi-media communication and information management systems, flight planning, aircraft performance calculations, operational planning and control and Graphic User Interfaces.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The collected data are analysed in terms of its relevance to the flight taking into account applicable safety and legal requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Apply the rules to ensure safety in flight dispatching. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Rules include but are not limited to all rules as specified in CARS, CATS and Operating Specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Sources of rules are identified and explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The rules are applied in terms of operational constraints taking into account environmental factors specific to the flight to be operated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The operational situation is evaluated in order to determine the presence of any non-standard event. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Determine the impact of non-standard events. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Non-standard events may include but are not limited to hazardous meteorological conditions, aero-political constraints, non-standard aerodrome constraints, aircraft configurations and infra-structure constraints. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Non-normal events are identified in terms of safe flight operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Non-normal events are assessed in terms of the impact on flight operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The necessary corrective actions are taken in order to mitigate the impact of the non-normal event. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The results of the corrective action are evaluated for further implications and completeness. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Generate the operational flight plan. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Operational flight plan comprises fuel, time and distance calculations, navigation flight plans and an Air Traffic Services (ATS) plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Supporting flight plan documentation is prepared according to standard operating procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Supporting documentation includes but is not limited to:
  • Meteorological and aeronautical information (pre-flight briefing).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The flight plan is calculated in order to establish fuel, time and distance data, navigation data and an Air Traffic Services plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The flight plan is reviewed for completeness and accuracy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Aircraft performance and weight limitations are determined in accordance with manufacturer's specifications, operational constraints and environmental factors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The flight plan is re-generated where limitations have been exceeded. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Air Traffic Services (ATS) flight plan is filed in order to obtain acceptance from Air Traffic Services. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Filed means that it is submitted to ATS in the prescribed time frame, format, content and specification.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The operational flight plan documentation is finalised in accordance with standard operating procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Finalised refers to the signing off by dispatcher and pilot in command and archiving in accordance with the regulations.
     


    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.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor 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.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Aviation terminology and procedures.
  • The nature, purpose and contents of data for flight including, aeronautical and meteorological information, environmental factors, routine and significant elements, factors of operational significance and special rules.
  • Sources of data.
  • The use of supporting systems and applications. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems where the operational flight plan weights exceed limitations by re-generating the flight plan incorporating the necessary adjustments. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities by ensuring that the decision to release the flight can be justified with reference to all requirements of the flight to be operated. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information in the process of preparing flight planning documentation and reviewing it for accuracy, applicability and relevance to the operation and the route to be flown. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology to gather, capture, store, process and verify the results of research into the rules applicable to the flight to be operated. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems when ensuring that the flight is being released in accordance with all the applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures, operational constraints and environmental factors. 

    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 
    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  59256   National Diploma: Flight Dispatch  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.