Defence Awarding Organisation · RQF Level 5
DAO level 5 Certifcate In Applied Aviation Studies (Helicopter Crewman)
You don’t just earn this. You learn to use it, one-to-one, on your own real work.
- LevelRQF Level 5
- Total credits29
- Guided learning259 hours
- Units in this qualification24
Awarded by Defence Awarding Organisation · on the Ofqual register
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Ten quick questions, one per Future Fluency, asked against this qualification rather than a generic one.
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What you’ll learn
What each unit actually teaches you to do
These are the units Defence Awarding Organisation registers against this qualification. It is a catalogue, not a syllabus. Which of them you take depends on the combination the qualification requires, and that is set by the awarding body rather than by us. Every unit here is regulated, and every one you earn is yours to keep.
Aircraft EmergenciesReal unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- / state the appropriate action in the event of an emergency or malfunction.
- Display airmanship in an emergency.
- Take the appropriate action in the event of an emergency or malfunction
Assist the pilot to fly in undulating, confined and hazardous terrainReal unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Plan a Concealed Approach and Departure (CAD).
- Fly a Concealed approach and Departure.
- Direct the Helicopter pilot during a Concealed Approach and Departure.
- Display airmanship during a Concealed Approach and Departure.
- Operate as a crewman during a concealed approach and departure to a pre nominated landing site.
- Carry out a reconnaissance of a confined area.
- Carry out the procedure required to approach, manoeuvre in and depart from a confined area.
- Display airmanship when operating in confined spaces.
- Assist the pilot to land
Contemporary Issues for Managers and LeadersReal unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the importance of health and safety in organisations.
- Understand the influence on leaders and managers of ethics and morality.
- Apply the concepts of equality and diversity in context.
- Understand specific and bespoke contemporary organisational issues.
Crew resource management (CRM) and AirmanshipReal unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Demonstrate crew resource management
Dangerous Goods AwarenessReal unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Describe Dangerous Goods Regulations in respect of Rotary Wing Aircraft.
- Explain Dangerous Goods Classifications.
- Explain the carriage of explosives.
- Explain Limitations.
- Explain the Identification of dangerous Goods.
- Explain the packing of dangerous Goods.
- Explain the Labelling and Marking of Dangerous Goods.
- Describe the Handling of Dangerous Goods.
Fly with loadsReal unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Carry out a check of the Cargo Release Unit (CRU).
- Pick up a Under Slung Load (USL), fly a circuit and release the USL at a specified point.
- Carry out the correct actions in the event of an emergency
- Display airmanship when flying under slung loads.
- Fly an under slung load.
- Load the cabin of the aircraft.
Generic Aircraft Systems (Rotary Wing)Real unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Explain Engine principles applied to Rotary Wing Aircraft.
- Explain Airframe components on Rotary Wing Aircraft.
- Explain Fuel Systems on Rotary Wing Aircraft.
- Explain Rotary Wing Aircraft Electrical Systems.
- Explain Transmissions, Controls and Hydraulics on Rotary Wing Aircraft.
- Explain Navigational aids on Rotary Wing Aircraft.
- Explain Pressure, Gyro and Magnetic Instruments.
- Explain the effects of vibration on Rotary wing aircraft.
Helicopter NavigationReal unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Plan a specified route.
- Navigate a pre-planned route at low level.
- Plan a route in response to an airborne re-tasking and navigate a diversion.
- Display airmanship when providing navigation assistance.
- Provide navigation assistance to the pilot of a helicopter.
Helicopter OperationsReal unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Explain Flight Publications.
- Describe Airfields.
- Define Airspace.
- Explain Radio Telephony.
- Explain the Dalton Navigation Computer.
- Explain maps and grids.
- Describe Marshalling.
- Explain Local area orientation.
- Explain Load Carrying Jerkin (LCJ) and Global Positioning System.
- Describe Spot Navigation.
- Explain UK Low Flying system.
- Explain IFR transits.
- Explain Altimetry.
- Explain Flight Plans.
- Explain airfield signals.
Instrument and Night FlyingReal unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Assist the helicopter pilot in instrument flying.
- Assist the helicopter pilot in procedural instrument flying.
- Assist the pilot during reversionary night flying.
- Carry out the correct actions in the event of a simulated emergency.
- Assist the pilot during reversionary night flying.
- Fly using night vision goggles
Load an Aircraft (simulated)Real unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Carry out lashing procedures.
- Carry out a rigging exercise
- Carry out a Advanced Restraint procedure.
- Inspect a load.
Managing Information for Effective DecisionsReal unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Evaluate sources of information.
- Analyse information to inform decisions.
- Develop effective arguments to support decisions.
- Justify decisions verbally and in writing.
Managing Operations in ContextReal unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Determine resource requirement for operations.
- Determine roles and responsibilities to support operations.
- Develop others to support operations.
- Apply a planning technique for a successful operation.
Maritime Rotary Wing Crewman (OPTIONAL UNIT for RN)Real unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Describe Velocity triangle plotting symbols.
- Describe Navigation techniques.
- Describe Wind / Find fix methods.
- Describe Minute fix depart.
- Describe Intercepts.
- Explain Critical points
Meteorology for Rotary Wing AircraftReal unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Know about atmosphere, pressure and altimetre settings for rotary wing aircraft.
- Know about Temperature, Humidity, Stability, Cloud.
- Know about TAFs, METARs, MOMIDS.
- Know about Wind and Visibility applicable to Rotary Wing Aircraft.
- Know about Air masses, Pressure systems.
- Know about Frontal Systems.
- Know about Icing.
- Know about Density at Altitude.
- Know about Frontal theory.
- Know about Low Weather Hazards.
- Interpret Meteorological Information.
Mission ManagementReal unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Assist in the planning of single and multi-aircraft tasks.
- Brief single and multi-aircraft tasks.
- Display airmanship.
- Assist in the planning, briefing and debriefing of single and multi aircraft tasks
Mountains and Maritime operationsReal unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Conduct Drum Winching to include standard circuits.
- Conduct Drum Winching to include a standard circuit, an extended cable circuit and the application of Parachute attached techniques.
- Conduct Drum Winching, to include a Standard and Extended Cable circuit, Parachute attached techniques and a Simulated hoist malfunction.
- Conduct Dry Double Lifts over level ground.
- Conduct Dry Double Lifts over level ground controlling errors as required.
- Conduct Dry Double Lifts over level ground including a Stretcher lift.
- Conduct lifts over undulating ground, to include Dry Double Lifts and Stretcher lifts whilst
Principles of Flight (POF) Rotary WingReal unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Know about lift applied to rotary wing aircraft.
- Describe Hinges and Controls.
- Know about the Vector Diagram.
- Know about Ground Effect.
- Know about Recirculation.
- Know about the Vortex Ring.
- Avoid Curve and Blade Sail.
- Know about Ground Resonance.
- Know about Rollover.
- Explain Flapping to Equality of Lift and Flapback.
- Know about Yaw control, Tail Rotor Drift and Roll.
- Explain Translational lift and power required curve.
- Explain Autorotation and Avoid Curve.
- Explain limits to Forward Speed.
Procedural Instrument Flying (Rotary Wing Aircraft)Real unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Explain Flight rules, Airspace and Air Traffic Control.
- Explain 'Navaids'.
- Explain En Route Charts.
- Explain Weather Factors.
- Explain SIDs Stars and Instrumentapproaches
- Explain Flight Plans.
- Explain Tracking.
- Explain Mental Dead Reckoning (MDR).
- Explain Holding Patterns.
- Explain R/T calls.
Science and MathematicsReal unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Carry out mathematical processes.
- Perform numerical conversions.
- Use Formulae, Tables, Graphs.
- Carry out basic internal loading calculations.
- Describe weight and balance as applied to Rotary Wing aircraft.
- Carry out speed, time and distance calculations.
- Carry out mental calculations.
- Describe Basic Physical Laws, Vectors, Terms.
- Describe Electricity Magnetism and Generators.
Strategy – an introductionReal unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Demonstrate an understanding of strategy in context.
- Understand the concept of strategic risk.
- Conduct an external situational analysis.
- Understand the relationship between strategy and planning.
Support Helicopter techniquesReal unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Explain the Movements Organisation.
- Explain customs regulations.
- Explain Medical regulations.
- Explain Catering regulations.
- Explain External Loads.
- Explain Restraint equipment.
- Explain Trim in a Rotary Wing Aircraft.
Tactical Formation Flying (Trail)Real unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Know about Tactical Formation Flying.
- Carry out an approach to a specified landing site.
- Carry out emergency drills.
- Operate the aircraft in Trail formation
Voice MarshallingReal unit · Defence Awarding Organisation
What you'll be able to do
- Conduct voice marshalling.
- Display Airmanship.
- Conduct voice marshalling.
The honest bit
You’ve started things before
Most courses were built for a room full of people who aren’t you. A cohort moves on whether or not your week allowed it, and by the third week the thing you’re behind on becomes the reason you stop opening it.
There’s no cohort here, and no timetable to fall behind. Before anything starts, Zavmo asks when you’re sharpest and how long you can realistically sit down for, then builds the sessions around those answers. A bad fortnight changes your pace. It doesn’t put you behind.
And you only pay once you start learning. Searching and planning are free, and you can cancel any time — so the cost of finding out is an afternoon, not a year.
Your passport
Every credit is a stamp you keep
Level 5 credits are regulated. They don’t vanish when a subscription ends or a website closes. They travel to any employer, and Zavmo keeps the map of what you’ve earned and what’s next.
Each stamp is a real unit registered against this qualification.
Who’d teach you this
The Evidence Evaluator
Assessor
Helps you show what you can actually do, gathering the evidence that proves it as you learn.
Meet all twelve tutorsWhere this connects
Where these credits take you
A qualification is never a dead end here. See the jobs its credits open, the national occupational standards its units map to, and the future skills they quietly build.
- Carry out derrick operations in support of drilling
- Check and operate flight instruments and automatic flight control systems
- Collect and use information to make decisions
- Communicate with an aircraft operating crew using a headset
- Conduct Pre-flight Planning
- Conduct post flight procedures
- Conform with Regulatory Checks and Requirements
- Contribute to helicopter handling operations
Where this can lead
Manager, Operations Control Centre (OCC)
This role is a significant stepping stone to the very top of aviation operations. It's demanding, but the impact you'll have on our airline, our customers, and your team is immense. If you're ready to lead, innovate, and shape the future of flight, then we want to hear from you.
See the whole journey →Showing 6 roles, drawn from 10 job records mapped to this qualification.
Skills it covers
What the job actually needs. These are the standards the units are built against, in the words employers and awarding bodies already use for the work itself.
How you’ll actually learn this
One-to-one, on your own real work
A qualification is usually something done to you: sit the class, sit the exam, hope it sticks. Here it’s the opposite. You learn it one-to-one with a companion, on your own real work, and you keep going until you can use it, not just recall it.
Applied to your work in any of these jobs
- Remember
- Understand
- Apply
- Analyse
- Evaluate
- Create
Built for DAO level 5 Certifcate In Applied Aviation Studies (Helicopter Crewman)
24 units in this credential, in the order it lists them, awarded by Defence Awarding Organisation.
- Aircraft Emergencies
- Assist the pilot to fly in undulating, confined and hazardous terrain
- Contemporary Issues for Managers and Leaders
- Crew resource management (CRM) and Airmanship
- Dangerous Goods Awareness
- Fly with loads
and 18 more in the full unit list below.
One to one, not one to many
No two people run this the same way
A course is written once and handed to everyone. This is assembled around you, and keeps changing as it learns you. Five things it reads, and what each one changes.
- Your actual work Every unit is taught against a live piece of your own work, not a worked example from a textbook.
- What you already know The first conversation finds your starting point, so you skip what you can already do and spend the time on what you cannot.
- The conditions you learn under Not a learning-styles quiz. The evidence does not support those. The dimensions the research does back, read once and used to shape the plan.
- How far you got last time It picks up mid-thought. The tutor knows what you said, what you struggled with, and what it asked you to try.
- Which tutor suits the moment Twelve of them, each for a different kind of thinking. The one who walks you through a first idea is not the one who stress-tests it.
See how you learn, free. Eight questions, no sign-up. A directional taster; the diagnostic inside Zavmo goes deeper and keeps adapting.
Why it sticks
Most courses stop at remembering
There’s a well-known ladder of how deeply you learn something, called Bloom’s Taxonomy. Most courses get you up the first two rungs: you remember some facts, you pass a test, you forget it. Real skill lives at the top. Judging, deciding, creating. And this isn’t a generic ladder: every rung has a named Zavmo tutor who walks you up it.
- 6CreateThe Creative Catalyst
- 5EvaluateThe Evidence Evaluator
- 4AnalyseThe Analyst
- 3ApplyThe Coach
- 2UnderstandThe Connector
- 1RememberThe Builder
Where most courses leave you Where Zavmo takes you
The value
Why the companion is worth £70 a month
You’re not paying for the units. They’re regulated, and the same wherever you earn them. You’re paying for the one thing that decides whether you actually get there: a companion that makes them stick, on your real work.
That is one-to-one on this qualification, every day, on the work you already do, for £70 a month. Your first module is free, so you can see the teaching before you pay for any of it. Billed monthly, cancel any time and billing stops.
Earned on your own work, taught to the top.
Everything you just read, learned one-to-one on the job you already do. Your first module is free, so you can see the teaching before you pay for any of it.
Build my plan, freeNo card. See how this qualification maps onto your role and meet the tutors who’d teach it, free. The learning begins when you subscribe. It’s £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.