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

MEA313 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Inspect, test and troubleshoot piston engine systems and components

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency MEA313 - Inspect, test and troubleshoot piston engine systems and components
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency requires application of hand skills, the use of maintenance publications, and knowledge of piston engine and system theory to inspect, test and troubleshoot fixed and rotary wing aircraft piston engines and engine system components during the performance of scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. Maintenance may be performed individually or as part of a team.The 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.

Engine system operation knowledge, the relationship of individual components and the links with other systems will be necessary to supplement evidence of ability to carry out rigging checks and troubleshoot the system 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.

Testing of engines fitted to helicopters (where auxiliary drive is not available) may be carried out through the applicant directing a pilot qualified on type.

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 the following groups:

engine (all types), main components and accessories/drives

control system, including FADEC (where FADEC is applicable to the enterprise)

ignition and starter systems

fuel, air systems and super/turbo chargers

oil system.

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.

Individuals being assessed who have already attained MEA353 Maintain basic light aircraft engines and propellers will have satisfied the requirements of this unit with regard to common Range of Conditions variables. The Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement records relating to MEA353 Maintain basic light aircraft engines and propellers may be accepted as also meeting the evidence requirements for this unit in the applicable common areas.
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 piston engine system and components
  • Isolation tags already attached to the system or related systems are checked and aircraft/engine configured for safe system inspection and operation in accordance with applicable maintenance manual
  • Piston engine and/or components are visually or physically checked for external and internal signs of defects in accordance with applicable maintenance manual 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)
       
Element: Test piston engine system
  • Aircraft and engine system are correctly prepared in accordance with applicable maintenance manual and connected to appropriate test equipment
  • Built-in system test functions and status displays are activated, where applicable, outputs recorded and interpreted
  • Assistance is provided with engine and/or system operation during prescribed test procedures to establish serviceability and correct function in accordance with applicable maintenance manual
       
Element: Prepare for troubleshooting
  • Relevant maintenance documentation and modification status, including system defect reports, where relevant, are used to identify an unserviceability
       
Element: Troubleshoot piston engine system
  • 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
  • Piston engine 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 piston engine system and components

1.1

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

1.2

Piston engine and/or components are visually or physically checked for external and internal signs of defects in accordance with applicable maintenance manual 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)

2.

Test piston engine system

2.1

Aircraft and engine system are correctly prepared in accordance with applicable maintenance manual and connected to appropriate test equipment

2.2

Built-in system test functions and status displays are activated, where applicable, outputs recorded and interpreted

2.3

Assistance is provided with engine and/or system operation during prescribed test procedures to establish serviceability and correct function 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 used to identify an unserviceability

4.

Troubleshoot piston engine system

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

Piston engine 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, including the use of MSDS and PPE

using relevant maintenance documentation and aircraft manuals

through visual/physical inspection, recognising external and internal signs of defects in piston engines, components and system components

assisting with testing of piston engine and engine system operation, be able to operate systems, monitor indications, record parameters and recognise correct function

compiling engine condition monitoring records

rigging and adjusting engine controls and systems, including FADEC (where FADEC is applicable to the enterprise)

using fault diagnosis guides and equivalent data to accurately and efficiently troubleshoot the causes of unserviceabilities in piston engines and engine systems, clearly record details and identify the required rectification actions.

The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable across a range of inspection, testing and troubleshooting applications (including the timely involvement of supervisor or other trades) associated with engine systems. It is essential that system testing procedures take into account all safety precautions associated with piston engine system operation, and that awareness be demonstrated of dual inspection requirements associated with work on engine controls. Ability to interpret inspection procedures and specifications (allowable limits) and apply them in practice is critical.

This may be demonstrated through application across a number of engine system groups as listed in the Assessment Conditions. The application of testing procedures and functional rigging checks should also 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:

WHS procedures associated with piston engine maintenance, including lifting and handling of heavy objects

how to obtain MSDS

use of PPE

fault diagnosis techniques

piston engine and engine system layout and operation:

four stroke engine theory of operation and performance

cylinder configurations

construction – components and materials

carburettors and air induction systems

fuel injection systems

fuels and their characteristics

ignition systems

lubricating systems and lubricants

cooling systems

exhaust systems

superchargers and turbochargers

accessory drives and mounts

controls and rigging of controls

FADEC systems

piston engine maintenance requirements and troubleshooting procedures including ground running of engines

system component operation, including electrical and instrument system interfaces:

magnetos and ignition harnesses

spark plugs

fuel pumps

fuel filters

oil pumps

oil filters

oil tanks

vacuum pumps and air pumps

generators

starter motors

oil pressure gauges (direct reading)

temperature gauges (direct reading)

tachometers

manifold pressure gauges

system and component maintenance requirements and troubleshooting procedures

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 piston engine system and components

1.1

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

1.2

Piston engine and/or components are visually or physically checked for external and internal signs of defects in accordance with applicable maintenance manual 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)

2.

Test piston engine system

2.1

Aircraft and engine system are correctly prepared in accordance with applicable maintenance manual and connected to appropriate test equipment

2.2

Built-in system test functions and status displays are activated, where applicable, outputs recorded and interpreted

2.3

Assistance is provided with engine and/or system operation during prescribed test procedures to establish serviceability and correct function 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 used to identify an unserviceability

4.

Troubleshoot piston engine system

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

Piston engine 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.

Piston engines and engine systems include:

Engine (all types), main components and accessories/drives

Control system, including full authority digital engine control (FADEC) (where FADEC is applicable to the enterprise)

Ignition and starter systems

Fuel, air systems and super/turbo chargers

Oil system

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/engine configured for safe system inspection and operation in accordance with applicable maintenance manual 
Piston engine and/or components are visually or physically checked for external and internal signs of defects in accordance with applicable maintenance manual 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 and engine system are correctly prepared in accordance with applicable maintenance manual and connected to appropriate test equipment 
Built-in system test functions and status displays are activated, where applicable, outputs recorded and interpreted 
Assistance is provided with engine and/or system operation during prescribed test procedures to establish serviceability and correct function in accordance with applicable maintenance manual 
Relevant maintenance documentation and modification status, including system defect reports, where relevant, are used 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 
Piston engine 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

MEA313 - Inspect, test and troubleshoot piston engine 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

MEA313 - Inspect, test and troubleshoot piston engine 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: