Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Inspect aircraft structure
   • Relevant maintenance documentation and modification status, including defect reports, where relevant, are used to identify specific inspection requirements
   • Appropriate preparation and access to the aircraft structure is undertaken to allow for proper inspection in accordance with maintenance documentation while observing all relevant work health and safety (WHS) requirements, including the use of material safety data sheets (MSDS) and items of personal protective equipment (PPE)
   • Aircraft structure is visually or physically checked for signs of deformation, defects or damage in accordance with maintenance documentation and approved procedures while observing all relevant WHS requirements, including the use of MSDS and items of PPE
   • Damage or defects are assessed against damage or wear limits specified by structural repair manual or other approved data to determine if repair or replacement is required
   • Maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

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.
Preparation and access to structure includes:	Preparation for non-destructive testing (NDT) (access to relevant structural zones and components)
Aircraft structure inspection includes:	Non-ferrous and ferrous alloys and composite (FRP) materials used in aircraft construction Structural fastening and attachment hardware and/or devices Seals and sealants Glass and moulded plastics Application of NDT techniques Doors, hinges and locking mechanisms for damage/misalignment Inspections applicable to each of safe life, damage tolerant and fail safe structure relevant to enterprise Ageing aircraft inspection programs
Inspection techniques include:	Visual inspection, physical checks, mensuration and alignment
Procedures and requirements include:	Industry standards specified by manufacturers, regulatory authorities or the enterprise

---

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, including the use of PPE and MSDS

using approved maintenance documentation and aircraft publications relating to aircraft structure

identifying various aircraft metals and their basic properties

identifying potential causes of structural failure

demonstrating appropriate cleaning procedures to enable structure inspection

demonstrating correct inspection procedures, in particular pressurised aircraft, in accordance with aircraft and procedures manuals

performing aircraft mensuration and alignment checks

identifying damage to aircraft metallic (ferrous and non-ferrous) structures and/or components by way of:

impact

fatigue

corrosion

identifying the various forms of structural corrosion, stating the causes and structural effects of corrosion on aircraft

identifying composite materials used in aircraft construction, associated safety precautions and hazards

inspecting damage and assessing composite components/structures for:

impact damage

fatigue.

The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable across a range of structural inspections associated with aircraft maintenance. It is essential that the procedures take into account all aircraft and personal safety precautions relating to aircraft structure.

Evidence is required of the ability to interpret and apply aircraft structural inspection requirements. This may be demonstrated through application across a range of structural components and materials. Ability to interpret inspection procedures and specifications (allowable limits) and apply them in practice is critical. The application of the procedures should also clearly indicate knowledge of structural flight loads.

---

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:

aircraft construction principles

structural component attachment methods

describing the construction methods used in:

fuselage sections

wing sections

engine nacelles and mounts

windows and window frames

doors, locks and access panels in pressurised and unpressurised aircraft

defining of structural terms, i.e. safe life, damage tolerant, failsafe, stress, strain, shear and cycles

inspection requirements for metal and composite structure, including:

ageing aircraft inspection requirements

safe life structure

damage tolerant structure

fail safe structure

procedures and methodology for performing aircraft mensuration and alignment checks

describing NDT methods and application of the various techniques

describing construction methods of, and assessing common defects in, aircraft plastic transparencies

describing basic constructional features of, and assessing common defects in, glass windscreens

defining the terms associated with composite materials

WHS procedures

relevant PPE

how to obtain MSDS.

---