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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for troubleshooting
   • Relevant maintenance documentation and modification status, including system defect reports, where relevant, are interpreted to identify an unserviceability
2. Test fixed wing flight control systems
   • Powered controls of the aircraft and system are prepared in accordance with maintenance manual for the application of electrical and hydraulic power
   • Power is applied, if necessary, and system is functionally tested in accordance with applicable maintenance manual for malfunction or evidence of incorrect rigging while observing all relevant work health and safety (WHS) requirements
   • System rigging is performed in accordance with applicable maintenance manual
3. Troubleshoot fixed wing flight control systems
   • Available information from maintenance documentation and inspection and test results is used, where necessary, to assist in fault determination
   • Maintenance manual fault diagnosis guide and logical processes are used to ensure efficient and accurate troubleshooting to line replacement level
   • Specialist advice is obtained, where required, to assist with the troubleshooting process
   • Fixed wing flight control system faults are located and the causes of the faults are clearly identified and correctly recorded in maintenance documentation, where required

Range Statement

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.
Fixed wing flight control systems and components include:	Ailerons, elevators, rudders, trim tabs, speed brakes, spoilers, flaps and slats Actuators – mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or electric Mechanical flight control components, including cables, pulleys, guides, fairleads, tension regulators, control rods, bellcranks, torque tubes, chains, sprockets, control sticks (or wheels or columns), trim wheels or handles, and rudder pedals
Procedures and requirements include:	Industry standard procedures specified by manufacturers, regulatory authorities or the enterprise

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Performance Evidence

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:

applying all relevant WHS procedures

using relevant maintenance documentation and aircraft manuals to:

recognise defects during visual inspection of fixed wing flight control systems and system components

rig fixed wing flight control systems

functionally test the operation of fixed wing flight control systems and recognise system/component malfunction or evidence of incorrect rigging

to the extent permitted by applicable fault diagnosis guides, troubleshooting unserviceabilities in fixed wing flight control systems and clearly record the causes of the unserviceabilities.

The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable across a range of testing and troubleshooting applications (including the timely involvement of supervisors or other trades) associated with the aircraft fixed wing flight systems. It is essential that testing procedures take into account all safety precautions associated with flight control system operation, in particular where system operation/switching interrelates with other systems being maintained, and that knowledge be demonstrated of dual inspection requirements associated with work on flight controls and systems.

This shall be demonstrated through application across the system/component groups listed in the Assessment Conditions.

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Knowledge Evidence

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:

WHS precautions relevant to flight control system maintenance

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)

spoilers and speed brakes

flight control balancing and flutter

stability and control and flight control rigging

mechanical system layout and operation:

cockpit controls

cables and cable tensioning

pulleys and fairleads

bellcranks

levers

control surface horns

screwjacks

push/pull rods

powered flight controls:

system layout and operation

component construction and operation

electrical and instrument interfaces:

flaps

trim

position indication

flight control system maintenance procedures and troubleshooting methods

flight control system rigging equipment and procedures

flight control system interfaces with automatic pilot systems and automatic flight control systems

relevant maintenance manuals

relevant regulatory requirements and standard procedures.

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