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: 

Demonstrate understanding of advanced aircraft systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
120149  Demonstrate understanding of advanced aircraft systems 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Air Defence 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  8 
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 
A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Discuss integrated and flight management systems.
  • Use automatic flight control systems for precision flight control.
  • Explain Future Air Navigation Systems (FANS).
  • Use powerplant and monitoring instruments. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Mathematics at NQF Level 5.
  • Physical Science at NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The terms "aircraft" and "aeroplane" are used as synonyms where appropriate.
  • Instruments are those commonly fitted to aeroplanes used in airline operations and/or required by the relevant regulations.
  • Description of the construction and operation of the instruments is in generic terms only and does require specific knowledge of any particular model.
  • Description of instrument operation includes checking, calibration, adjustment and interpretation.
  • Qualitative description means description which is essentially without the use of mathematical formulae and computations.
  • Quantitative description means description substantially in terms of mathematical formulae and computations. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Discuss integrated and flight management systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Air data instruments are analysed in terms of principles of operation, construction, accuracy and errors. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Pitot and or static systems, altimeter, airspeed indicator, Mach meter, vertical speed indicator (VSI), air data computer (ADC).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Gyroscopic instruments are analysed in term of principles of operation, construction, accuracy and errors. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Directional gyroscope, slaved gyrocompass, attitude indicator (vertical gyro), turn and bank indicator (rate gyro).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) are analysed in terms of design philosophies. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Design philosophies includes consideration of: modes, data displays, display backups, integration, presentation of process data, colours, declutter.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Flight management system (FMS) are analysed in terms of functions, capability, interfaces and alternate operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Integrated flight instrumentation systems are analysed in terms of design philosophies. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Design philosophies include but not limited to data formats, component compatibilities, data communication busses, protection from electromagnetic interference, data busses and information security and system integration.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Use automatic flight control systems for precision flight control. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Flight envelope protection system are described in term of principles of operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Automatic pitch trim system are discussed in term of safe use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Thrust computation and auto thrust systems are described in terms of safe use. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain Future Air Navigation Systems (FANS). 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Future Air Navigation Systems (FANS) refer to:
  • Controller to Pilot Data Link Communications
  • Automatic Dependant Surveillance
  • Automatic Dependence Surveillance Sur-B 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Ground proximity warning systems are explained describe in terms of their role in improving flight safety. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range descriptions should include:
  • Data Sources.
  • Types.
  • Modes.
  • Warning.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS II) and or Airborne collission and avoidance system (ACAS) are described in terms of role in improving flight safety. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Use powerplant and system monitoring instruments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Vibration monitoring within the aircraft is described to ensure aircraft safety. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Radiation monitoring is described in terms of requirements and equipment uses. 


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

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Flight instrumentation:
  • The physics of gases and the atmosphere.
  • Air data instruments.
  • The physics of gyroscopes.
  • Electronics.
  • Gyroscopic instruments.
  • Terrestrial and ferromagnetism.
  • Magnetic compass.
  • Radio altimeter.
  • Electronic flight instrument system (EFIS).
  • Flight management system.
  • Integrated instrumentation systems.
  • Electromagnetic interference.

    Automatic flight control systems:
  • Flight director.
  • Autopilot.
  • Flight envelope protection.
  • Yaw damper.
  • Automatic pitch trim.
  • Thrust computation.
  • Auto thrust.

    Warning and recording equipment:
  • General warnings.
  • Altitude alert system.
  • Ground proximity warning system.
  • Traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS II / ACAS).
  • Over speed and under speed warning.
  • Stall warning system.
  • Flight data recorder.
  • Cockpit voice recorder.

    Powerplant, system monitoring instruments and displays:
  • Pressure gauges.
  • Temperature gauges.
  • RPM indicator.
  • Consumption gauges.
  • Fuel gauge.
  • Torque meter.
  • Flight hour meter.
  • Vibration monitoring.
  • Remote (signal) transmission system.
  • Electronic displays (ECAM, EICAS).
  • All other gauges and displays specific to on-board systems. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    The learner is able to identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made by:
  • Recognising irregular electro-mechanical instrument readings and taking appropriate action to ensure flight safety.
  • Recognising and managing incorrect information displayed on electronic flight instrument displays (EFIS) to ensure flight safety.
  • Recognising and managing automatic flight control problems to ensure flight safety.
  • Demonstrating an understanding of and managing false warnings from aircraft warning systems to ensure flight safety. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse and critically evaluate information by:
  • Evaluating and integrating the information displayed from a variety of cockpit instruments and displays to ensure safe and efficient navigation and operation of the aeroplane. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by:
  • Understanding the scientific principles used to generate appropriate information on electro-mechanical and EFIS displays in the cockpit.
  • Understanding how to control the environment of the aeroplane through instrument interpretation thereby ensuring passenger comfort and a comfortable working environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation by:
  • Understanding the hazards of focussing on a particular sub-system to the exclusion of other information available from the instrumentation displays in the cockpit.
  • Understanding the importance of enhancing situational awareness through the use of information available from the instrumentation displays in the cockpit and the resultant 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 
    Abbreviations:

    VSI: Vertical Speed Indicator
    ADC: Air Data Computer
    EFIS: Electronic Flight Instrument System
    FMS: Flight Management Systems
    TCAS: Traffic Collision Avoidance System
    ACAS: Airborne Collision and Avoidance System
    ECAM: Electronic Collision Avoidance System
    EICAS: Engine Indicating Crew Alerting System
    FANS: Future Air Navigation Systems 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Fundamental  58008   National Diploma: Aircraft Piloting  Level 6  NQF Level 06  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2016-12-31  TETA 
    Elective  49950   National Certificate: Navigation  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2015-06-30  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.