Aviation ground specialist

Reference Number: ST0038

Details of standard

An aviation operations specialist could work in a number of aviation environments, such as a commercial airport, military base / aerodrome, heliport or other airfield. Specialist roles, all focussed around the arrival, turnaround and departure of aircraft and maintaining an aviation operation, will include knowledge, skills and behaviours to complete complex aviation tasks and may include supervision of others to enable compliance with regulations through a safe, secure and effective aviation operation. These functions may include loading and unloading of aircraft, air traffic control (ATC), movement of aircraft and vehicles airside and the management of passengers both airside and landside. The functions all work as part of a combined team, within which communication with wider colleagues and other stakeholders is essential and the aviation operations specialist plays a key part of a coherent operation. The core knowledge, skills and behaviours must be completed by ALL ground specialists, along with ONE of the five specialist functions.

Core:  All aviation ground specialists must have all of the following core skills, knowledge and behaviours

Behaviours (Live it)

• Embrace and promote the values of the organisation
• Treat team, customers and other stakeholders with courtesy and respect
• Take ownership and responsibility of role and working area, including team members where responsible
• Display loyalty, integrity and accountability to the organisation
• Commit to continuous development of self and team, including improvements to systems and processes
• Be vigilant and proactive in promoting a safe, secure and compliant working culture

Specialist: Aviation ground specialists must select from ONE of the following specialist functions

• Aircraft handling
• Aircraft movement
• Fire fighter
• Flight operations
• Passenger operations

Specialist function 1: Aircraft handling

The aircraft handling specialist takes day to day control of key functions and services applied to the aircraft and its envir onment on the ground. They will operate either as a specialist performing complex handling tasks or lead and supervise their team in an aircraft turn- round function, loading and unloading of passenger baggage and air cargo, safely and conforming to current carrier/organisational standards. Effective decision making, communication and influence on others are important aspects of the role, as well as being aware of commercial pressures and operational deadlines along with protecting brand reputation at all times. Acting as a professional role model, responsible for their actions and those of their team, to be a good ambassador for their organisation.

Marshalling

• The detailed requirements and procedures for the correct movement, placement and marshalling of aircraft and the importance of detailed controls for mover vehicles
• Safely manoeuver and position vehicles, monitoring team to ensure correct marshalling hand signals and techniques are used

Loading instruction report and balancing

• The importance of the correct preparation and interpretation of and conformance to loading instruction reports (LIR) for both inbound and outbound aircraft, within aircraft weight and balance characteristics, structural limitations and compartment maximums
• Produce and complete a  LIR/Load Sheet compliant with aircraft type and within manufacturer’s limitations, delegate and brief teams to complete the tasks defined by the LIR and monitor their compliance and performance in accordance with the LIR

Load and unload

• The loading and unloading procedures for all types of aircraft in the area of operation, including hold doors, floor locks, nets, and inter plane systems and how to apply the principles of restraint and manage the assets and team to deliver an efficient service
• Plan and prepare the airside environment with sufficient
• Air Cargo Handling Equipment (ACHE). Lead, supervise and mentor the team during the on/off load of the aircraft, by providing briefings, delegating tasks, checking loads are safely restrained and that the process complies with the LIR

Specialist equipment

• The requirements and responsibilities of  self and team members in checking specialised equipment, including Unit Load Devices (ULDs), prior to use, ensuring safe operation and correct storage after use
• Monitor and supervise team members carrying out daily inspections prior to using the specialist equipment, including ULDs, ensuring its safe operation and that it is left in a safe, secure, allocated area after use

Servicing

• As a specialist, all aspects of aircraft servicing/turnaround management, pre/post use checks of holds and all hold locks
• Demonstrate/mentor and supervise the preparation and configuration the aircraft holds for departure

Specialist function 2: Aircraft movement

An aircraft movement specialist is responsible for the efficient movement and recovery of fixed and rotary wing aircraft and the safety of other team members at a variety of airports / heliports and other landing platforms within the civil aviation and military arenas. They take responsibility for team members using specialised equipment to move aircraft within an aviation environment in accordance with standard operating procedures.

The operation of an airside vehicle

• Briefing the team to prepare prior to using airside, and procedures for the safe operation of airside vehicles, including how to deal with incidents or emergencies while operating an airside vehicle
• Monitor team members preparing to use a vehicle airside, ensure vehicle operations comply with aviation standard operating procedures and implement the correct procedures in the event of incidents or emergencies with an airside vehicle

Operate Aviation Specialist equipment

• The requirements and responsibilities of  self and team members in checking specialised equipment prior to use, ensuring safe operation and correct storage after use
• Monitor and supervise team members carrying out daily inspections prior to using the specialist equipment, ensuring its safe operation and that it is left in a safe, secure, allocated area after use

Airside Marshalling

• How team prepare the area and required equipment prior to the marshalling of aircraft and or vehicles, correct marshalling procedures, including the correct monitoring of operation of marshalling equipment and team members
• Monitor the team to ensure correct preparation of the airside environment for marshalling of aircraft and or vehicles, and monitor marshalling of aircraft and or vehicles in accordance with organisation’s standard operating procedures

The safe manoeuvring of aircraft vehicles and personnel airside

• The rules and regulations for aircraft, vehicles and personnel operating airside and how to ensure compliance with airport safety requirements
• Ensure the rules and regulations for aircraft, vehicles and team members operating airside are adhered to in accordance with airport safety requirements, identify and report risks and ensure compliance in line with organisational procedures

Specialist function 3: Firefighter

Work as a lead member on a Fire Service Watch and carry out all associated duties to an agreed level of authority such as maintain specialist equipment and deal with incidents and emergencies of a structural and aviation nature.

Save & preserve endangered life

• Fire and rescue service responsibilities and procedures for search and rescue operations in an aviation environment
• Lead a search and rescue team for casualties involved in incidents, coordinate treatment and support casualties involved in incidents

Resolve aviation fire & rescue incidents

• The processes and procedures for resolving aviation fire and rescue operational and special service incidents
• Lead the control and extinguishing of aviation fires and resolve special service incidents, providing support for people involved in an operational incident

Take responsibility for effective performance in fire and rescue

• How to make a positive contribution to the fire and rescue operation in your organisation including physical fitness requirements, health and safety of the working environment both at the base and when attending incidents, maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues during routine tasks and during incidents and continuing to develop your skills and knowledge of fire and rescue operations
• Take responsibility for the development of knowledge skills, physical fitness and behaviours relevant to own performance in a fire and rescue organisation, including working with others during routine tasks and when responding to incidents

Test, maintain and operate specialist aviation firefighting equipment

• Test frequencies and how to plan, select and check specialist firefighting equipment, understanding how to use it in accordance with organisational policy and how to record, report and rectify faults relating to the equipment
• Plan, select and check specialist firefighting equipment in accordance with appropriate test frequencies.
• Use specialist firefighting equipment in accordance with organisational policy, record, report and rectify faults of relevant specialist firefighting equipment

Protect the environment from hazardous materials

• The effects that firefighting media may have on the environment, and own and the organisation’s responsibilities to follow procedures for protecting the environment from the effects of hazardous materials during fire and rescue incidents
• Minimise damage to the environment from hazardous materials and decontaminate people and property. Support people involved in an operational incident

Specialist function 4: Flight operations

Flight operations specialists should provide guidance and leadership to colleagues in the flight operations team, facilitating the smooth flow of air traffic by providing information both themselves and with the support of team members, to key stakeholders including the flight crew and air traffic controllers. They may be employed in an air traffic control tower, operations room, military installation or in other remote areas such as the London Area and Terminal Control Centre at Swanwick in Hampshire.

Support flight Operations

• The role of a specialist in supporting flight operations and operating conditions.
• How to devise and implement relevant procedures in the event of an aviation incident/emergency
• Support and monitor team members to collect, collate and supply information and complete other duties during flight operations.
• Devise and implement relevant procedures for use in the event of an aviation incident/emergency

Monitor the weather in an aviation environment

• The procedure to obtain weather forecasts their key features, what the data means for flight operations and how the information must be used
• Obtain, interpret and act on weather forecasts in line with organisational procedures, taking appropriate action to ensure the optimal performance of flight operations based on the report

Reducing aviation hazards

• Application of procedures for identifying, reporting and reducing aviation hazards, and the process for distributing pertinent information on aviation risks
• Accurately apply the procedures for identifying, reporting and reducing aviation hazards and distribute pertinent aviation safety information to relevant stakeholders within the required timescale

Resolve multifaceted aviation issues

• Identification of aviation issues and the different choices to resolve them, including how to implement the most appropriate solution, determining when the situation has been resolved satisfactorily, and what action to take if it has not
• Identify aviation issues and select and implement the most suitable solution, reviewing the situation to ensure it has been resolved

Specialist function 5: passenger operations

A passenger operations specialist takes day to day control of key areas of the passenger journey through the airport. Working with a range of internal and external stakeholders and agencies they must provide an efficient and effective experience that meets and exceeds customer needs and maintains operational and regulatory standards. Effective decision making, communication and influence on others are important aspects of the role, along with protecting brand reputation at all times.

Travel documentation

• How to deal with issues relating to passports, visas and other statutory or organisational travel documentation required for travel, including procedures for and implications of making decisions on acceptance or refusal for travel
• Monitor passports, visas and other travel documentation in area of responsibility, dealing with issues as they arise by liaising with other organisations and agencies appropriate to the travel destination making recommendations for action and validation

Check-in

• Operational systems and procedures for check-in and how to deal with check-in issues, including the impact of decisions made and how to maintain operational standards of performance and customer satisfaction
• Work with check in team, senior management and other stakeholders as required to maintain operational standards and commercial performance, customer satisfaction and address check-in issues, e.g. late check-ins, overbooking, complaints, excess baggage and special requests and requirements

Gate processes

• Systems, procedures and monitoring requirements for boarding, departure and arrival of passengers
• Know how to maintain equipment and address failures of equipment and processes to minimise disruption and delay
• Liaise with the customer, airline and colleagues to ensure efficient boarding, departure and arrival procedures meeting service standards and aviation regulations. Proactively address issues that arise at the gate, making effective decisions to ensure a satisfactory outcome and on-time departure

Customer service and communication

• How to deal with complex customer needs which may affect the aviation operation
• How to communicate to customers in challenging situations in individual and group situations Understand the procedures for service recovery
• Monitor area of responsibility to ensure customer satisfaction and adherence to operational standards Communicate effectively with passengers, crew and other parties in the event of disruption, keeping them informed of progress, actions and results
• Address complex customer needs to ensure service standards and individual requirements are maintained

Entry

Employers will set their own entry requirements in order to start on this apprenticeship

English and maths

Apprentices who have not yet achieved level 2 English and maths are required to achieve level 2 English and maths prior to the end-point assessment

Progression 

Progression from this apprenticeship is expected to be into an aviation operations specialist role with the option to progress to an aviation operations manager role

Level

This apprenticeship standard is set at level 3

Renewal 

June 2018, unless there is evidence of significant industry change which employers agree warrants earlier amendment

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