Bachelor of Applied Science (Aviation)

Verbal expression and comprehension (understanding)

What do I need to be able to do?

Understand and respond to verbal communication.

In the flight training environment, this will assist you with listening, understanding and responding in a clear and timely manner.

Verbally communicate clear instructions and explanations.

In the flight training environment, verbal communication is the primary source of communication between you, your flying instructor and air traffic control.

Clear communication assists with completing your flight training tasks safely.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Additional time allowances for comprehension and expression may be available to you for on-campus learning activities.

Flight training activities require time responsive communication.

Any adjustments to flight training conditions must also be accepted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority(CASA) medical examiners and must comply with the CASA manual of standards for Flight Crew Training. This should be discussed with your placement coordinator prior to commencing training.

Social communication

Social Communication refers to the capacity to understand and use appropriate non-verbal communication such as: eye contact, gestures, facial expression, speaking volume, tone of voice, proximity and verbal turn-taking.

What do I need to be able to do?

Recognise, interpret, use and respond to non-verbal communication appropriately during on-campus and flight training activities to build relationships, display understanding and acknowledgement of others.

In the flight training environment, tasks which require the use of social communication abilities include:

• identifying and using gestures, verbal turn-taking and proximity when sharing workload and equipment i.e., with your flying instructor during flight training
• responding to peers and supervisors with open body language, eye contact and facial expressions to demonstrate understanding. 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service(ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.  

Consideration will be given to the use of non-verbal communication appropriate to your disability or condition for example, if you have a vision or hearing impairment, you may rely more on using either auditory or visual means of social communication.

Any adjustments to flight training conditions must also be accepted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority(CASA) medical examiners and must comply with the CASA manual of standards for Flight Crew Training. This should be discussed with your placement coordinator prior to commencing training.

Reading

What do I need to be able to do?

Read and understand a range of written material in differing forms from a variety of sources such as: on screen material, reference material and /or handwritten notes.

In the flight training environment, essential information is communicated in written form.  Tasks which require reading include:

• reading flight protocols such as: notes, reports and the pilots log book
• reading the aircraft manual and safety procedures during flight training

The ability to read, understand and interpret written information is fundamental for safe execution of flight training tasks

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities.

The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during your flight training should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your training.

Any adjustments to flight training conditions must also be accepted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority(CASA) medical examiners and must comply with the CASA manual of standards for Flight Crew Training.

Writing (Written Language)

N.B. This refers not to the physical act of writing but rather to the written content.

What do I need to be able to do?

Produce coherent written communication appropriate to on-campus and flight training settings.

In the flight training environment, tasks which require clear, concise, accurate and time-efficient writing include:

• writing reports to meet technical standards
• record keeping i.e., accurately updating the pilot log book

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities.

The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during flight training should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your training.

Any adjustments to flight training conditions must also be accepted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority(CASA) medical examiners and must comply with the CASA manual of standards for Flight Crew Training.

Number Skills (Numeracy)

Numeracy is the ability to understand and work with numbers. Basic numeracy skills consist of comprehending fundamental mathematics like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

What do I need to be able to do?

Interpret and correctly apply numerical data, measurements and formulae in a time-efficient manner in on-campus learning and flight training environments.

In on-campus learning and flight training environments, tasks which require the use of number skills include:

• using basic statistics to performing accurate calculations for an investigation i.e., determining the most likely cause of an aviation accident
• manipulating data to identify financial trends/forecasting such as reviewing airline monthly financial reports, or determining an airline’s break-even costing
• applying aircraft performance data, including take-off and landing performance data to determine what take-off and landing distances are required under the prevailing conditions

The ability to accurately work with numbers is important for safe execution of flight training tasks.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your numeracy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during flight training should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your training.

Any adjustments to flight training conditions must also be accepted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority(CASA) medical examiners and must comply with the CASA manual of standards for Flight Crew Training.

What do I need to be able to do?

Correctly use and apply knowledge of theory, research, and practice gained from on-campus learning activities to tasks in flight training environments

In the flight training environment, tasks which require your use of concentration, memory and problem solving include:

• appropriately using information from a range of sources while multitasking in real time
• following instructions from your flight instructor and air traffic control, while interpreting flight instruments and making necessary adjustments 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use assistive technology and strategies such as rest breaks to support your memory, planning and organisation in the on-campus learning environment. The use of these strategies during flight training should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your training.

Any adjustments to flight training conditions must also be accepted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority(CASA) medical examiners and must comply with the CASA manual of standards for Flight Crew Training.

Any adjustments should not compromise your safety or the safety of others

Vision

Visual acuity refers to the extent to which a person can see or interpret visual information. This may also include colour vision.

What do I need to be able to do?

In the flight training environment, tasks which require vision (including colour vision) include:

• Following and interpreting coloured lighting patterns on runways and airfield perimeter tracks
• Reading and interpreting various flight indication symbols on the aircraft instrument panel
• Maintaining a vigilant level of outside observation when flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR)
• Maintaining a vigilant level of observation when entering an aircraft, taxiing, flying, landing and exiting an aircraft

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

The use of assistive technology to enhance vision will be considered. It is recommended that you discuss this with the ELS and your placement coordinator prior to commencing flight training.

If you have been deemed legally blind or have a medical condition that may impact your vision, it is recommended that you discuss your condition with Equitable Learning Service.

Any adjustments to flight training conditions must also be accepted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority(CASA) medical examiners and must comply with the CASA manual of standards for Flight Crew Training.

Any adjustments should not compromise your safety or the safety of others.

What do I need to be able to do?

In the flight training environment, tasks which require hearing or alternatives (e.g. accurate lip reading, amplification equipment) include:

• understanding audible communication from air traffic control while flying an aircraft
• following audible instruction from your flight instructor, including communication in the event of an emergency
• differentiating engine noise for any indication of mechanical malfunction of an aircraft

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

The use of augmentation such as lip reading and / or assistive technology to enhance your hearing will be considered. It is recommended that you discuss this with the ELS and Placement Coordinator prior to commencing your flight training.

Any adjustments to flight training conditions must also be accepted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority(CASA) medical examiners and must comply with the CASA manual of standards for Flight Crew Training.

Any adjustments should not compromise your safety or the safety of others

What do I need to be able to do?

Sufficient olfactory acuity (sense of smell) supports identifying the odours of aircraft fire, electrical fault, leakage and other hazards

In the flight training environment, tasks which require the sense of smell include:

• smelling any possible fuel leaks from the aircraft
• smelling smoke from an on-board fire or smouldering equipment

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

The use of other senses to compensate for a deficient sense of smell may be considered. However, applicability to the flight training environment would need to be discussed with the ELS and placement coordinator prior to commencing your training.

Any adjustments to flight training conditions must also be accepted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority(CASA) medical examiners and must comply with the CASA manual of standards for Flight Crew Training.

Any adjustments should not compromise your safety or the safety of others.

What do I need to be able to do?

In the flight training environment, tasks may involve:  lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, twisting, and bending.

In flight training environments, tasks which require gross motor abilities include:

• operating the flying controls of a light aircraft during pilot training by manually adjusting the throttle lever using your arms and upper body and using your feet to operate aircraft rudder pedals
• entering the cockpit of a light aircraft and manoeuvring into the cockpit seats

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. Any adjustments should not compromise your safety or the safety of others.

Any adjustments to flight training conditions must also be accepted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority(CASA) medical examiners and must comply with the CASA manual of standards for Flight Crew Training.

Any adjustments should not compromise your safety or the safety of others.

i.e. The ability to undertake precise coordinated movements of the hands.

What do I need to be able to do?

In flight training environments, tasks may involve: pushing, pressing, turning, pinching, grasping, squeezing and manipulating

In the flight training environment, tasks which require fine motor abilities include:

• selecting aircraft functions from a touch-screen interface in the aircraft cockpit
• pressing radio buttons, turning instrument dials and flicking toggle switches 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities.

 Any adjustments to flight training conditions must also be accepted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority(CASA) medical examiners and must comply with the CASA manual of standards for Flight Crew Training.

Any adjustments should not compromise your safety or the safety of others.

This refers to the ability to undertake a task/s over a pre-determined period of time. This could include physical performance such as standing for a period of time, or cognitive (mental) performance such as concentrating for a particular length of time.

What do I need to be able to do?

In the flight training environment, tasks which require physical and mental endurance include:

• following sequential procedures and instructions to real time based tasks
• performing repetitive tasks with a high level of concentration and focus until the task is completed appropriately and accurately
• maintaining consistency, quality of concentration and physical performance throughout the normal period of a flight training session (typically 1-3 hours) 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your circumstances and physical capacities. You may use strategies such as rest breaks to support your performance for on-campus learning contexts. It is recommended that you discuss the use of these strategies during flight training with ELS and Placement Coordinator prior to commencing your flight training.

Any adjustments to flight training conditions must also be accepted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority(CASA) medical examiners and must comply with the CASA manual of standards for Flight Crew Training.

Any adjustments should not compromise your safety or the safety of others.