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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Explain and demonstrate handling of search and rescue processes in an air traffic services environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244200  Explain and demonstrate handling of search and rescue processes in an air traffic services 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  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 learner credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of search and rescue (SAR) principles and procedures.
  • Compile a search and rescue action plan.
  • Apply the principles and procedures for conducting a search and rescue operation. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Communication at NQF Level 4 or equivalent. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Where necessary ranges are specified in relation to specific outcomes and assessment criteria within the body of the standard. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of search and rescue (SAR) principles and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The role of the South African Search and Rescue (SASAR) organisation is explained with reference to purpose and importance within the aviation environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Search and rescue support structures are explained in terms of their relevance to SAR assistance. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Search and rescue support structures include, but are not limited to SANDF, SAPS, civilian institutions, ATNS, DOT.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Search and rescue facility resources are explained in terms of their relevance to SAR assistance. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Search and rescue facility resources include, but are not limited to airborne, maritime and ground-based.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The impact of overdue actions are described in terms of its implications to air traffic management actions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Overdue actions include SAR normal, SAR en-route, SAR specified time en-route, SAR specified time, SAR nil.
  • Air traffic management actions include, but are not limited to aeronautical messages, grading and cancellation of phases.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The search and rescue phases are described in terms of their required air traffic management actions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Factors to be considered for search actions are described in accordance with the regulatory framework. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Factors include, but are not limited to time factors, endurance, meteorological phenomena.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Compile a search and rescue action plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A search and rescue action plan structure is formulated considering air traffic service responsibilities. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Search and rescue action plan structure include, but are not limited to sequence of events, probability and possibility areas, search planning computations, environmental drift factors, datum and search craft errors, search area assignment, search pattern types.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Progression of search and rescue events are formulated in order to direct SAR operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Search and rescue events include, but are not limited to time lines, briefing and debriefing, rescue and triage procedures.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Inter-relationships are identified and specified in order to facilitate SAR public information releases. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Inter-relationships include, but are not limited to CAA, ATNS, SANDF.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply the principles and procedures for conducting a search and rescue operation within a given scenario. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An aircraft's area of probability is determined in order to apply SAR principles and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An aircraft's area of probability is demarcated in order to identify search areas to locate an aircraft and its occupants. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Area of demarcation may include continental and maritime locations.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    SAR documentation is completed in order to record and distribute SAR information. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    SAR information is coordinated between coordination centres and field agents to assist during a SAR operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Coordination centres includes, but is not limited to Rescue Coordination Centres, Search Master Coordinator, Search Rescue Units.
     


    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 
  • Role and performance of different types of aircraft operating in the airspace.
  • Make, model and characteristics of different types of aircraft.
  • Air traffic services administrative process.
  • Air traffic services co-ordination procedures.
  • Aeronautical messages.
  • Air traffic control system, coordination and transfer of control.
  • Meteorological phenomena.
  • Meteorological maps and charts.
  • Emergency procedures.
  • Aviation legislation.
  • Aircraft emergency equipment.
  • Navigational principles.
  • Regulatory framework. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
  • Identify alternative methods for communicating/transmitting information when communication equipment failure is experienced.
  • Monitor the status of air traffic services facilities, identify and report facilities which have become unserviceable. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    All information is verified and confirmed prior to distribution. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
  • Maintain communication with Air Traffic Controllers and provide required information relevant to developing situations.
  • All equipment breakdown/failure is immediately reported to appropriate personnel to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted flow of information.
  • Prioritise and communicate information by order of importance. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Computer systems are used correctly to process accurate flight data. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Recognise the importance of providing efficient and effective support in an air traffic service environment. 

    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:
  • SASAR: South African Search and Rescue Organisation.
  • SAR: Search and Rescue.
  • SANDF: South African National Defence Force.
  • SAPS: South African Police Services.
  • ATNS: Air Traffic and Navigation Services.
  • DOT: Department of Transport.
  • CAA: Civil Aviation Authority. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58581   National Certificate: Air Traffic Support  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  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.
     
    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.