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: 

Perform operational planning 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
263004  Perform operational planning 
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  45 
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 person credited with this unit standard is able to appraise aircraft options to ensure the right size aircraft is used for the load, range and type of operation. Learners will also be able to calculate the take off weight for the planned take off. Learners will also be able to calculate the fuel requirements to ensure sufficient fuel to operate the flight. Learners will also be able to control the shortest possible route considering all the necessary inputs and to reduce fuel cost as much as possible.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Developing a route.
  • Determining payload ability.
  • Determining fuel requirements.
  • Minimising cost of operation. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this qualification will be assumed competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 5 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 5 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Develop a route. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The sector to be flown is identified in order to develop a route. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The sector to be flown refers to the two cities to be linked by flight.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Routing options are evaluated for operational acceptability. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Operational acceptability includes traffic density, safety, no-fly restrictions.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Aircraft options are appraised to ensure the right size aircraft for load, range and type of operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Overflight costs are calculated and reviewed in order to determine the most cost effective route. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Fuel burn is calculated to determine total fuel costs for the flight. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Total fuel costs takes into consideration foreign exchange rates.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Operational constraints are analysed in order to ensure success of operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Operational constraints includes but is not limited to alternate airport availability, war zones, hours of operation, extreme weather conditions, political considerations, international relations.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Determine payload ability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Take off weight is calculated for the planned take off. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Take off weight is influenced by take off temperature, runway, pressure altitude and wind conditions.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Flight distance is determined by adjusting ground distance for the effect of en-route wind components. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Methods of fuel up-lift planning are evaluated in order to optimise fuel burn. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods include standard reserves, decision point procedure, pre-determined point procedure, isolated aerodrome planning, no alternate planning and Extended Twin Engine Operations (ETOPS).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Type of aircraft to be used is assessed in order to determine the most cost effective operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The assessment is based on the payload expected, range and airport capability.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Payload up-lift is calculated within the constraints of take off weight capability, fuel burn requirements for a specific type of aircraft. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Payload up-lift calculation is dependent on zero fuel weight capability, landing weight capability and fuel requirements.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Determine fuel requirements for route optimisation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Sector fuel is calculated in terms of the fuel policy to provide sufficient fuel to operate the flight from chock to chock. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Chock to chock refers to 'start to finish'. Sector fuel will consist of start and taxi fuel, Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) fuel, trip fuel and reserves.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The different elements of fuel burn requirements are explained in terms of the Fuel policy. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Elements of fuel burn include but are not limited to trip fuel, reserve fuel, additional fuel, tanker fuel, diversion fuel, final reserve fuel, extra fuel, taxi fuel and APU fuel.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Trip fuel is calculated to provide for take off and climb, cruise, step climb, descent, approach landing and taxi-in. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Reserve fuel is calculated to provide for the requirements of the stipulated within the fuel policy. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Reserve fuel includes but is not limited to diversion fuel, final reserve fuel, additional fuel carried to provide for decompression or engine failure en route or ETOPS requirements where necessary.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Tanker fuel requirements are explained and calculated in terms of the flight requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Vertical flight path plan is constructed in order to optimise mission efficiency. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Vertical flight path planning may include but are not limited to buffet margins, temperature effects on fuel burn and altitude capability, maximum altitude/thrust limits/rate of climb capability, optimum altitude in terms of fuel burn and time, speed selection as it effects terrain clearance and cruise distance, step climb planning and use of International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) characteristics.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Minimise cost of operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Route distance is controlled by designing shortest possible route considering flight safety, airspace selection, traffic density, on route terrain, political considerations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Cruise speed is selected to comply with airspace requirements, traffic constraints, and fuel burn costs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Overflight charges are controlled by selecting most cost effective route. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Time costs are reduced by keeping flying time to the minimum. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Type of aircraft is selected considering load to be carried and distance to be flown. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Fuel uplift cost is minimised by considering cost of fuel at departure station and destination. 


    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 or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place 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 or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Methods of fuel up-lift.
  • Types of aircraft used in day to day operations. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in the process of identifying routes, determining payload ability and fuel requirements and in minimising the cost of operation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others in order to minimise to cost of operation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information relating to operational planning. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology to assist with the performing of operational planning. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems where the performing of operational planning accurately has a positive impact on flight safety. 

    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 
  • Fuel policy is the approved fuel policy as published in the Company Policy Manual.
  • Company Policy Manual is approved by the SA-CAA and therefore reflects regulatory requirements.
  • International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) characteristics. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  66109   National Diploma: Aircraft Performance Engineering  Level 6  NQF Level 06  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.