Assessor Resource

MEA351A
Maintain airframe systems of basic light fixed wing aircraft

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit requires application of hand skills and the use of system/component knowledge and applicable maintenance publications and test equipment to inspect, test and troubleshoot, and replace components of airframe systems of basic light aircraft.

Applications include fixed wing aircraft that have fixed undercarriage and a normally aspirated engine driving a fixed pitch propeller or a small gas turbine engine.

This unit of competency is part of the Mechanical Certificate IV (Aircraft Maintenance Stream) training pathway. It covers the competencies required to maintain basic light fixed wing aircraft airframe systems and components.

Where a CASA licensing outcome is sought this unit forms part of the CASA requirement for the granting of the applicable Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence under CASR Part 66, in accordance with the licensing provisions in Section 3, Assessment Guidelines.

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

Prerequisites

MEA101B

Interpret occupational health and safety practices in aviation maintenance

MEA103B

Plan and organise aviation maintenance work activities

MEA105C

Apply quality standards applicable to aviation maintenance processes

MEA107B

Interpret and use aviation maintenance industry manuals and specifications

MEA108B

Complete aviation maintenance industry documentation

MEA109B

Perform basic hand skills, standard trade practices and fundamentals in aviation maintenance

Co-Requisites

Not applicable

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



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.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to inspect, test and troubleshoot airframe systems and remove and install a range of airframe system components that is representative of the scope of the listed variables in accordance with relevant maintenance manual instructions while applying all relevant OHS procedures and standard processes.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable across a range of inspection, testing and troubleshooting applications (including the timely involvement of supervisors or other trades) associated with airframe systems and components of basic light fixed wing aircraft. It is essential that relevant procedures, cleanliness requirements and safety precautions are fully observed, understood and complied with. Ability to interpret inspection procedures and specifications (allowable limits) and apply them in practice is critical.

Evidence of transferability of skills and knowledge related to inspection, testing, troubleshooting and component removal and installation is essential. This may be demonstrated through application across a range of airframe systems and components as listed in the Range Statement. The application of testing procedures should clearly indicate knowledge of system operation, the relationship of individual components and the links with other systems (if applicable) within the limits of the aircraft/system fault-finding guide before undertaking any action. The work plan should take account of applicable safety and quality requirements in accordance with the industry and regulatory standards.

A person cannot be assessed as competent until it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the workplace assessor that the relevant elements of this unit of competency are being achieved under routine supervision on groups listed in the Range Statement, as follows:

at least one of each system listed in Groups 1 to 5

a representative range of components from each of Groups 6 to 12.

This shall be established via the records in the Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement or, where appropriate, an equivalent Industry Evidence Guide.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency should be assessed in the work environment or simulated work environment using tools and equipment specified in maintenance documentation. It is also expected that general purpose tools and test equipment found in most routine situations would be used where appropriate.

Method of assessment

Guidance information for assessment

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.

Required skills

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

using hand skills, tools and test equipment in the testing, adjustment and troubleshooting of airframe systems and components, including airframe system component removal and installation

recognising system and component defects/external damage, correct installation and security for the range of airframe systems listed in the Range Statement

removing, installing and rigging of flight controls

checking flight control mass balance

performing system functional tests and checks to isolate system faults and assess post-maintenance serviceability

effectively using maintenance documentation and relevant fault diagnosis guides in the troubleshooting process and for component removal and installation

applying standard procedures

observing all relevant OHS procedures, including the use of MSDS and PPE

Required knowledge

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge of:

OHS precautions relevant to airframe system maintenance, including the use of MSDS and PPE

standard trade practices relating to tool and test/rigging equipment usage and installation/securing of system components

flight control system layout and operation

theory of flight:

airflow

conditions of flight

lift and forces

drag

wings, tailplane and vertical stabiliser

lift augmentation (flaps, slats and slots)

aircraft control surfaces and their function (elevator, ailerons, rudder, elevons and trim tabs)

flight control balancing and flutter

stability and control and flight control rigging

system layout and operation:

cockpit controls

cables and cable tensioning

pulleys and fairleads

bellcranks

levers

control surface horns

screwjacks

push/pull rods

mechanical flight control system maintenance procedures and troubleshooting

fixed undercarriage and shock absorber systems:

undercarriage configurations and types (tailwheel, tricycle and bicycle)

relative advantages of undercarriage configurations

steering systems

types of shock absorber (springs, leaf, coil, spring tube, rubber disc, bungee and oleo)

wheels and tyres

axles and wheel bearings

wheel spats

fixed undercarriage maintenance procedures and troubleshooting

small aircraft brake systems:

types of brake system (mechanical and hydraulic)

master/slave cylinder hydraulic brake system operation

hydraulic fluids and seals

rigid and flexible plumbing

brake pads and shoes

brake discs and drums/linings

brake system maintenance procedures and troubleshooting

cabin heater system layout and operation:

heat source (muff heaters)

ducting for heating and demisting

valves and linkages

fan

cabin heating system maintenance procedures and troubleshooting

fuel system layout and operation:

fuel tank types and location

selector valves and linkages

drain valves

rigid and flexible plumbing

fuel filters

boost pumps

relevant maintenance manuals

relevant regulatory requirements and standard procedures

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Note

Range statements listed below are numbered to facilitate specification of the assessment requirements included in the Evidence Guide

Maintenance documentation

Relevant maintenance documentation includes:

servicing schedules

maintenance manuals

Airframe systems

Airframe systems may include:

1. Flight control systems

2. Fixed undercarriage shock absorbers

3 Master/slave cylinder brake systems

4. Fuel systems

5. Cabin heating systems

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting involves the use of test sets, downloaded maintenance data and fault-finding charts or similar, to line replacement level

Airframe system components

Airframe system components may include:

6. Ailerons, elevators, rudders, trim tabs, flaps and slats

7. Flight control wheels or sticks, cables, pulleys, guides, fairleads, bellcranks, rods, torque tubes, chains, sprockets, trim wheels or handles and rudder pedals or bars

8. Fixed undercarriage hydraulic and rubber shock absorbers

9. Wheels and brake units

10. Brake master cylinders and rigid or flexible plumbing

11. Rigid or flexible fuel tanks, selector/shutoff valves and rigid or flexible plumbing

12. Cabin heater ducting and control valves

Application of this unit may relate to:

scheduled or unscheduled maintenance

individual or team-related activities

Procedures and requirements

Refer to industry standard procedures specified by manufacturers, regulatory authorities or the enterprise

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
Relevant maintenance documentation and modification status, including system defect reports, where relevant, are used to identify specific inspection requirements 
Isolation tags are checked and aircraft configured for safe system inspection and operation in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual 
Airframe system components are visually or physically checked for external signs of defects in accordance with applicable maintenance manual 
Defects are correctly identified and reported 
Aircraft and system are prepared in accordance with applicable maintenance manual for the application of power/system operation 
Airframe system is functionally tested in accordance with maintenance manual for evidence of serviceability or malfunction 
System adjustment/rigging is performed in accordance with maintenance manual 
Available information from maintenance documentation, inspection and test results are used, where necessary, to assist in fault determination 
Maintenance manual fault diagnosis guides and logic processes are used to ensure efficient and accurate troubleshooting 
Specialist advice is obtained, where required, to assist with the troubleshooting process 
Airframe system faults are located and the causes of the faults are clearly identified and correctly recorded in maintenance documentation, where required, in accordance with standard enterprise procedures 
Rectification requirements are determined 
System is rendered safe in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual and isolation tags are fitted, where necessary, to ensure personnel safety 
Airframe system component removal is carried out in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual 
Required maintenance documentation is accurately completed and correctly processed 
Removed components are tagged, sealed and packaged in accordance with specified procedures 
Components to be installed are checked to confirm correct part numbers, serviceability and modification status 
Mass balance of control surfaces to be installed is checked in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual, if required 
Installation is carried out in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual 
Required maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MEA351A - Maintain airframe systems of basic light fixed wing aircraft
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

MEA351A - Maintain airframe systems of basic light fixed wing aircraft

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: