Assessor Resource

MEA397
Test aircraft piston engines after repair or overhaul

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit of competency requires application of hand skills, theory knowledge and maintenance publication procedures and/or standard enterprise procedures to test run aircraft piston engines, adjust operating parameters and troubleshoot/rectify faults.

Applications include all types of aircraft piston engines that are not installed in an airframe. Work can be performed individually or as a member of a team.

The unit is part of the Mechanical Certificate IV (Component Workshop Maintenance Stream) training pathway. It covers the competencies required to test aircraft piston engines that are not fitted to an airframe after repair or overhaul.

The unit 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.

Prepare piston engine for test run

1.1

Documentation is checked to ensure that engine is ready for testing

1.2

Engine is installed in test rig or test cell, including connection of fuel, oil and electrical supplies and instrumentation while observing relevant work health and safety (WHS) procedures, including the use of material safety data sheets (MSDS) and personal protective equipment (PPE)

1.3

Sump or external oil tank is filled with correct grade and type of lubricating oil

1.4

Test rig/cell fuel tank is filled with correct type and grade of fuel

1.5

Correct propeller or club is fitted to the engine

1.6

Test rig/cell is prepared for operation

2.

Run and test piston engine performance

2.1

Engine is started and operating parameters are checked in accordance with maintenance manual and standard enterprise procedures while observing relevant WHS procedures, including the use of MSDS and PPE

2.2

Engine performance is tested and adjusted, where applicable, in accordance with maintenance manual requirements and standard enterprise procedures

2.3

Engine operating parameters and test results are recorded in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

3.

Troubleshoot piston engine faults

3.1

Available information from maintenance records and test results is used, where necessary, to assist in fault determination

3.2

Logical processes are used to ensure efficient and accurate troubleshooting

3.3

Specialist advice is obtained, where required, to assist with, or confirm, the fault and rectification requirement

3.4

Piston engine component faults are located and the causes of the faults are clearly identified

3.5

Fault rectification requirements are determined to assist in determining if the engine must be returned to the workshop

4.

Remove engine from test rig/cell

4.1

Engine is removed from test rig/stand in accordance with maintenance manual requirements and standard enterprise procedures while observing relevant WHS procedures, including the use of MSDS and PPE

4.2

Serviceable engines are configured, inhibited and prepared in accordance with maintenance manual requirements and standard enterprise procedures for transport or storage

4.3

Required maintenance documentation and modification records are completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

4.4

Unserviceable engines are returned to workshop in accordance with standard enterprise procedures for rectification or re-work

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 include:

applying relevant WHS procedures, including the use of MSDS and items of PPE

using relevant maintenance manuals and standard enterprise procedures to:

prepare engines for test running

install engines in test rigs or test cells

selecting and installing the correct propeller or test club

test run and adjust engine parameters, where applicable

troubleshoot faults identified during the test run

record engine operating parameters

remove engines from the test rig or test cell

complete documentation

configuring and inhibiting serviceable engines for transport or storage.

It is essential that the maintenance procedures (including the use of correct fuels and lubricants) are interpreted and applied to ensure quality and safety standards are achieved.

Evidence of transferability of skills and knowledge related to engine test running is essential. This shall be demonstrated through application across a number of engine test runs. Capability to interpret test procedures and specifications (allowable limits) and apply them in practice is critical. The application of testing procedures should also clearly indicate knowledge of system operation.

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:

how to obtain relevant MSDS

the use of applicable items of PPE

WHS procedures

fault diagnosis techniques

system and component operation

repair and overhaul procedures and processes

test rig or test cell operation

engine test requirements

engine operating parameters and adjustment methods.

Competency should be assessed in the work environment or simulated work environment in an applicable engine test rig or test cell. It is also expected that general-purpose tools and test equipment found in most routine situations would be used where appropriate.

Knowledge of system operation and the relationship of individual components will be necessary to supplement evidence of ability to troubleshoot engine faults before undertaking any action. The work plan should take account of applicable safety and quality requirements in accordance with the industry and regulatory standards.

The following conditions of assessment represent the requirements of the Regulators (ADF and CASA) and maintenance stakeholders and must be rigorously observed.

A person cannot be assessed as competent until it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the workplace assessor that the relevant elements and performance criteria of the unit of competency are being achieved under routine supervision on a representative range of engine test runs.

This shall be established via the records in the Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement or, where appropriate, an equivalent Industry Evidence Guide (for details refer to the Companion Volume Assessment Guidelines).

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.

Prepare piston engine for test run

1.1

Documentation is checked to ensure that engine is ready for testing

1.2

Engine is installed in test rig or test cell, including connection of fuel, oil and electrical supplies and instrumentation while observing relevant work health and safety (WHS) procedures, including the use of material safety data sheets (MSDS) and personal protective equipment (PPE)

1.3

Sump or external oil tank is filled with correct grade and type of lubricating oil

1.4

Test rig/cell fuel tank is filled with correct type and grade of fuel

1.5

Correct propeller or club is fitted to the engine

1.6

Test rig/cell is prepared for operation

2.

Run and test piston engine performance

2.1

Engine is started and operating parameters are checked in accordance with maintenance manual and standard enterprise procedures while observing relevant WHS procedures, including the use of MSDS and PPE

2.2

Engine performance is tested and adjusted, where applicable, in accordance with maintenance manual requirements and standard enterprise procedures

2.3

Engine operating parameters and test results are recorded in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

3.

Troubleshoot piston engine faults

3.1

Available information from maintenance records and test results is used, where necessary, to assist in fault determination

3.2

Logical processes are used to ensure efficient and accurate troubleshooting

3.3

Specialist advice is obtained, where required, to assist with, or confirm, the fault and rectification requirement

3.4

Piston engine component faults are located and the causes of the faults are clearly identified

3.5

Fault rectification requirements are determined to assist in determining if the engine must be returned to the workshop

4.

Remove engine from test rig/cell

4.1

Engine is removed from test rig/stand in accordance with maintenance manual requirements and standard enterprise procedures while observing relevant WHS procedures, including the use of MSDS and PPE

4.2

Serviceable engines are configured, inhibited and prepared in accordance with maintenance manual requirements and standard enterprise procedures for transport or storage

4.3

Required maintenance documentation and modification records are completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

4.4

Unserviceable engines are returned to workshop in accordance with standard enterprise procedures for rectification or re-work

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.

Testing and adjustment includes:

Complex adjusting and testing of engine performance carried out under supervision

Procedures and requirements include:

Industry standard procedures specified by manufacturers, regulatory authorities or the enterprise

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 include:

applying relevant WHS procedures, including the use of MSDS and items of PPE

using relevant maintenance manuals and standard enterprise procedures to:

prepare engines for test running

install engines in test rigs or test cells

selecting and installing the correct propeller or test club

test run and adjust engine parameters, where applicable

troubleshoot faults identified during the test run

record engine operating parameters

remove engines from the test rig or test cell

complete documentation

configuring and inhibiting serviceable engines for transport or storage.

It is essential that the maintenance procedures (including the use of correct fuels and lubricants) are interpreted and applied to ensure quality and safety standards are achieved.

Evidence of transferability of skills and knowledge related to engine test running is essential. This shall be demonstrated through application across a number of engine test runs. Capability to interpret test procedures and specifications (allowable limits) and apply them in practice is critical. The application of testing procedures should also clearly indicate knowledge of system operation.

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:

how to obtain relevant MSDS

the use of applicable items of PPE

WHS procedures

fault diagnosis techniques

system and component operation

repair and overhaul procedures and processes

test rig or test cell operation

engine test requirements

engine operating parameters and adjustment methods.

Competency should be assessed in the work environment or simulated work environment in an applicable engine test rig or test cell. It is also expected that general-purpose tools and test equipment found in most routine situations would be used where appropriate.

Knowledge of system operation and the relationship of individual components will be necessary to supplement evidence of ability to troubleshoot engine faults before undertaking any action. The work plan should take account of applicable safety and quality requirements in accordance with the industry and regulatory standards.

The following conditions of assessment represent the requirements of the Regulators (ADF and CASA) and maintenance stakeholders and must be rigorously observed.

A person cannot be assessed as competent until it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the workplace assessor that the relevant elements and performance criteria of the unit of competency are being achieved under routine supervision on a representative range of engine test runs.

This shall be established via the records in the Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement or, where appropriate, an equivalent Industry Evidence Guide (for details refer to the Companion Volume Assessment Guidelines).

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
Documentation is checked to ensure that engine is ready for testing 
Engine is installed in test rig or test cell, including connection of fuel, oil and electrical supplies and instrumentation while observing relevant work health and safety (WHS) procedures, including the use of material safety data sheets (MSDS) and personal protective equipment (PPE) 
Sump or external oil tank is filled with correct grade and type of lubricating oil 
Test rig/cell fuel tank is filled with correct type and grade of fuel 
Correct propeller or club is fitted to the engine 
Test rig/cell is prepared for operation 
Engine is started and operating parameters are checked in accordance with maintenance manual and standard enterprise procedures while observing relevant WHS procedures, including the use of MSDS and PPE 
Engine performance is tested and adjusted, where applicable, in accordance with maintenance manual requirements and standard enterprise procedures 
Engine operating parameters and test results are recorded in accordance with standard enterprise procedures 
Available information from maintenance records and test results is used, where necessary, to assist in fault determination 
Logical processes are used to ensure efficient and accurate troubleshooting 
Specialist advice is obtained, where required, to assist with, or confirm, the fault and rectification requirement 
Piston engine component faults are located and the causes of the faults are clearly identified 
Fault rectification requirements are determined to assist in determining if the engine must be returned to the workshop 
Engine is removed from test rig/stand in accordance with maintenance manual requirements and standard enterprise procedures while observing relevant WHS procedures, including the use of MSDS and PPE 
Serviceable engines are configured, inhibited and prepared in accordance with maintenance manual requirements and standard enterprise procedures for transport or storage 
Required maintenance documentation and modification records are completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures 
Unserviceable engines are returned to workshop in accordance with standard enterprise procedures for rectification or re-work 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MEA397 - Test aircraft piston engines after repair or overhaul
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

MEA397 - Test aircraft piston engines after repair or overhaul

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: