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: 

Demonstrate an understanding of air traffic management operations 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
230203  Demonstrate an understanding of air traffic management operations 
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 
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 demonstrating an understanding Air Traffic Management Operations.

Qualifying learners will be capable of:
  • Demonstrating an understanding of Air Traffic Control functions.
  • Demonstrating an understanding Air Traffic Management Operations.
  • Describing the Air Traffic Management Environment. 

  • 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.
  • Mathematics at NQF Level 4 or equivalent. 

  • UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of Air Traffic Control functions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Air Traffic Control functions are explained in terms of the overall purpose of Air Traffic Control. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Air Traffic Control functions are explained in terms of airspace organisation and use. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Airspace organisation includes, but is not limited to:
  • Flight information region.
  • Air routes within national boundaries.
  • Flight levels.
  • Sectorization.
  • Over flying.
  • Flow management.
  • Area Control Centre.
  • Terminal Manoeuvring areas.
     

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Air Traffic Control functions are explained in terms of the functions and services provided by Air Traffic Control. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Air Traffic Control functions and services include, but are not limited to:
  • Flight Information.
  • Area Control.
  • Approach Control.
  • Terminal Control.
     

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Air Traffic Control functions are explained in terms of operational procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Operational procedures will include, but are not limited to:
  • Tower.
  • Approach.
  • Area.
  • Oceanic Control.
     

  • SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of Air Traffic Management Operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Air Traffic Management Operations are explained in terms of communication, navigation and surveillance concepts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Air Traffic Management Operations are explained in terms of ATM procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Air Traffic Management procedures include, but are not limited to:
  • Aviation Standards as contained in ICAO documentation and Aeronautical Information Service publications.
  • Flow control.
  • Flight plan processing.
  • Central Flow Management.
     

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Air Traffic Management Operations are explained in terms of particular problems confronting Air Traffic Management. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Problems include, but are not limited to:
  • Weather.
  • Environment.
  • Special flights.
  • Military activities.
  • Emergencies.
  • Search and rescue situations.
     

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Air Traffic Management Operations are explained in terms of the operational importance of equipment and facilities provided for Air Traffic Management. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Operational importance includes, but is not limited to:
  • Reliability.
  • Availability.
  • Maintainability.
  • Redundancy.
  • Contingency procedural backup.
     

  • SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the Air Traffic Management Environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The Air Traffic Management Environment is described in terms of location of facilities and equipment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Locations include, but are not limited to:
  • Control Centre.
  • Airfield.
  • Flight information region.
     

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The Air Traffic Management Environment is explained in terms of the purpose, function and role of the equipment and facilities in relation to communications, navigation and surveillance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An understanding of the operational Air Traffic Control role is shown through practical exercises on Air Traffic Control Simulators. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The need for good communications between operational staff is explained according to organisational requirements. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard 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 
  • Air routes and the impact of Communications, Navigations and Surveillance System serviceability on the safety of air navigation along these routes.
  • Flight information region.
  • Flight levels.
  • Sectorization.
  • Area control.
  • Approach control.
  • Control Centre layout.
  • Airfield facilities.
  • National ATM system architecture. 

  • UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others when liasing with Air Traffic Controllers and other role players in the ATM environment. 

    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. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Demonstrate scientific and technological competence by applying knowledge and understanding of scientific processes to the correct understanding of sophisticated, high technology equipment and diagnostic systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that the role of the technician is a vital part within Air Traffic Management environment 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. 

    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 
    Supplementary information:

    This additional information relates to Specific Outcome: "Describe the Air Traffic Management Environment."
  • Simulators provide the means of allowing students to experience typical ATC tasks through practical exercises without impacting on the operational environment. Practical exercises will include the correct use of the Human- Machine interface equipment and the procedures required for the task being performed. 

  • QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Fundamental  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 
    Fundamental  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.