Assessor Resource

MEA342
Apply basic aircraft power plant design characteristics

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit of competency requires application of basic knowledge of propulsion and power plant selection for aeroplanes and rotary wing aircraft, piston engines and propellers/rotors, turbo prop, gas turbines and gas turbine/rotor.

The unit is part of Diploma and Advanced Diploma training pathways. It is used in workplaces that operate under the airworthiness regulatory systems of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1.

Research and evaluate the types of aeroplane and rotary wing aircraft power plant and their relative advantages and disadvantages

1.1

The types of aeroplane and rotary wing aircraft power plant are identified and compared in terms of relative advantages and disadvantages

1.2

Types of propeller are identified and compared in terms of relative advantages and disadvantages

1.3

Turbojet and turbofan performance is compared in terms of relative advantages and disadvantages

1.4

Maintenance requirements for aircraft power plants are identified

2.

Apply basic power plant and propulsion system selection processes

2.1

Given required aeroplane use and performance characteristics an appropriate type of power plant is determined

2.2

An appropriate type of propulsion system is selected

2.3

Given required rotary wing aircraft use and performance characteristics an appropriate type of power plant is determined

Evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria under the specified conditions of assessment, and must include:

identifying the different types of aircraft power plant and their relative advantages and applications

identifying power plant maintenance and monitoring requirements

identifying different types of propellers and their applications

selecting power plants for aeroplanes and rotary wing aircraft given the applicable performance characteristics.

Evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

basic power plant characteristics

basic propeller theory and characteristics

use of non-destructive testing (NDT) in power plant maintenance

power plant maintenance requirements including the use of engine condition monitoring.

This unit may be assessed off the job in a training environment equipped to provide exposure to the relevant aircraft design characteristics and to theory of flight.

The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required and must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials. The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate.

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently perform all elements of the unit as specified by the criteria, including required knowledge, and be capable of applying the competency in new and different situations and contexts.

Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways including direct observation, teacher’s reports, project work, samples and questioning. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Assessors must satisfy the requirements of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Australian Skills Quality Authority, or its successors).

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1.

Research and evaluate the types of aeroplane and rotary wing aircraft power plant and their relative advantages and disadvantages

1.1

The types of aeroplane and rotary wing aircraft power plant are identified and compared in terms of relative advantages and disadvantages

1.2

Types of propeller are identified and compared in terms of relative advantages and disadvantages

1.3

Turbojet and turbofan performance is compared in terms of relative advantages and disadvantages

1.4

Maintenance requirements for aircraft power plants are identified

2.

Apply basic power plant and propulsion system selection processes

2.1

Given required aeroplane use and performance characteristics an appropriate type of power plant is determined

2.2

An appropriate type of propulsion system is selected

2.3

Given required rotary wing aircraft use and performance characteristics an appropriate type of power plant is determined

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Types of aeroplane and rotary wing aircraft power plant include:

Piston engine (petrol or diesel)

Rotary

Turboprop or gas turbine and rotor

Turbofan

Turbojet

Types of propellers include:

Fixed pitch

Adjustable pitch

Constant speed

Contra-rotating

Tractor

Pusher

Evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria under the specified conditions of assessment, and must include:

identifying the different types of aircraft power plant and their relative advantages and applications

identifying power plant maintenance and monitoring requirements

identifying different types of propellers and their applications

selecting power plants for aeroplanes and rotary wing aircraft given the applicable performance characteristics.

Evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

basic power plant characteristics

basic propeller theory and characteristics

use of non-destructive testing (NDT) in power plant maintenance

power plant maintenance requirements including the use of engine condition monitoring.

This unit may be assessed off the job in a training environment equipped to provide exposure to the relevant aircraft design characteristics and to theory of flight.

The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required and must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials. The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate.

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently perform all elements of the unit as specified by the criteria, including required knowledge, and be capable of applying the competency in new and different situations and contexts.

Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways including direct observation, teacher’s reports, project work, samples and questioning. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Assessors must satisfy the requirements of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Australian Skills Quality Authority, or its successors).
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
The types of aeroplane and rotary wing aircraft power plant are identified and compared in terms of relative advantages and disadvantages 
Types of propeller are identified and compared in terms of relative advantages and disadvantages 
Turbojet and turbofan performance is compared in terms of relative advantages and disadvantages 
Maintenance requirements for aircraft power plants are identified 
Given required aeroplane use and performance characteristics an appropriate type of power plant is determined 
An appropriate type of propulsion system is selected 
Given required rotary wing aircraft use and performance characteristics an appropriate type of power plant is determined 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MEA342 - Apply basic aircraft power plant design characteristics
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

MEA342 - Apply basic aircraft power plant design characteristics

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: