Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

MEA312 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Inspect, test and troubleshoot aircraft fixed wing flight control systems and components

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency MEA312 - Inspect, test and troubleshoot aircraft fixed wing flight control systems and components
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency requires application of hand skills and the use of maintenance publications and knowledge of system theory to inspect, test and troubleshoot fixed wing aircraft flight control system components during the performance of scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. Maintenance may be performed individually or as part of a team.This unit is part of the Mechanical Certificate IV (Aircraft Maintenance Stream) training pathway. 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). Where a CASA licensing outcome is sought this unit forms part of the CASA requirement for the granting of the chosen maintenance certification licence under Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR) Part 66, in accordance with the licensing provisions in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

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

The application of ground 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.

Assessment conditions must also provide for knowledge of dual inspection requirements to be demonstrated.

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 at least one (1) item from each of:

elevator, aileron and rudder primary flight control systems and associated trim systems

speed brake, spoiler, flap and high lift systems

ailerons, elevators, rudders, trim tabs, speed brakes, spoilers, flaps and slats

actuators – mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or electric

mechanical flight control components (cables, pulleys, guides, fairleads, tension regulators, control rods, bellcranks, torque tubes, chains, sprockets, control sticks, wheels or columns, trim wheels or handles, and rudder pedals).

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).

Where the unit is to be used for CASA licensing purposes the Assessor must also meet the criteria specified in the CASR Part 147 Manual of Standards.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Aviation maintenance
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Inspect fixed wing flight control systems and components
  • Isolation tags already attached to the system or related systems are checked and aircraft configured for safe system inspection and operation in accordance with applicable maintenance manual
  • Fixed wing flight control systems and components are visually or physically checked for signs of defects in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual while observing all relevant work health and safety (WHS) requirements
       
Element: 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
  • System rigging is performed in accordance with applicable maintenance manual
       
Element: Prepare for troubleshooting
  • Relevant maintenance documentation and modification status, including system defect reports, where relevant, are interpreted to identify an unserviceability
       
Element: 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
  • Fault rectification requirements are determined to assist in planning the repair
       


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.

Inspect fixed wing flight control systems and components

1.1

Isolation tags already attached to the system or related systems are checked and aircraft configured for safe system inspection and operation in accordance with applicable maintenance manual

1.2

Fixed wing flight control systems and components are visually or physically checked for signs of defects in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual while observing all relevant work health and safety (WHS) requirements

2.

Test fixed wing flight control systems

2.1

Powered controls of the aircraft and system are prepared in accordance with maintenance manual for the application of electrical and hydraulic power

2.2

Power is applied, if necessary, and system is functionally tested in accordance with applicable maintenance manual for malfunction or evidence of incorrect rigging

2.3

System rigging is performed in accordance with applicable maintenance manual

3.

Prepare for troubleshooting

3.1

Relevant maintenance documentation and modification status, including system defect reports, where relevant, are interpreted to identify an unserviceability

4.

Troubleshoot fixed wing flight control systems

4.1

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

4.2

Maintenance manual fault diagnosis guide and logical processes are used to ensure efficient and accurate troubleshooting to line replacement level

4.3

Specialist advice is obtained, where required, to assist with the troubleshooting process

4.4

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

4.5

Fault rectification requirements are determined to assist in planning the repair

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 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 recording the causes of the unserviceabilities.

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 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 to other systems being maintained, and that an awareness be demonstrated of dual inspection requirements associated with work on flight controls and systems.

Ability to interpret system performance specifications (allowable limits) and apply them in practice is critical and shall be demonstrated through application across the range of systems listed in the Assessment Conditions.

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 interfaces with automatic pilot systems

relevant maintenance manuals

relevant regulatory requirements and standard procedures.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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.

Inspect fixed wing flight control systems and components

1.1

Isolation tags already attached to the system or related systems are checked and aircraft configured for safe system inspection and operation in accordance with applicable maintenance manual

1.2

Fixed wing flight control systems and components are visually or physically checked for signs of defects in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual while observing all relevant work health and safety (WHS) requirements

2.

Test fixed wing flight control systems

2.1

Powered controls of the aircraft and system are prepared in accordance with maintenance manual for the application of electrical and hydraulic power

2.2

Power is applied, if necessary, and system is functionally tested in accordance with applicable maintenance manual for malfunction or evidence of incorrect rigging

2.3

System rigging is performed in accordance with applicable maintenance manual

3.

Prepare for troubleshooting

3.1

Relevant maintenance documentation and modification status, including system defect reports, where relevant, are interpreted to identify an unserviceability

4.

Troubleshoot fixed wing flight control systems

4.1

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

4.2

Maintenance manual fault diagnosis guide and logical processes are used to ensure efficient and accurate troubleshooting to line replacement level

4.3

Specialist advice is obtained, where required, to assist with the troubleshooting process

4.4

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

4.5

Fault rectification requirements are determined to assist in planning the repair

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.

Flight control systems and system components include:

Elevator, aileron and rudder primary flight control systems and associated trim systems

Speed brake, spoiler, flap and high lift systems

Ailerons, elevators, rudders, trim tabs, speed brakes, spoilers, flaps and slats

Actuators – mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or electric

Mechanical flight control components (cables, pulleys, guides, fairleads, tension regulators, control rods, bellcranks, torque tubes, chains, sprockets, control sticks, 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

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
Isolation tags already attached to the system or related systems are checked and aircraft configured for safe system inspection and operation in accordance with applicable maintenance manual 
Fixed wing flight control systems and components are visually or physically checked for signs of defects in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual while observing all relevant work health and safety (WHS) requirements 
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 
System rigging is performed in accordance with applicable maintenance manual 
Relevant maintenance documentation and modification status, including system defect reports, where relevant, are interpreted to identify an unserviceability 
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 
Fault rectification requirements are determined to assist in planning the repair 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MEA312 - Inspect, test and troubleshoot aircraft fixed wing flight control systems and components
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

MEA312 - Inspect, test and troubleshoot aircraft fixed wing flight control systems and components

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: