The application of this unit in the workplace – the environments, complexities and situations involved – will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Pre-requisite Unit/s

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Maintain parachute

1.1 Parachute is inspected for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures

1.2 Parachute is tested for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures and manufacturers' specifications

1.3 Identified faults beyond own authority to rectify are reported to supervisor and faulty parachute is quarantined

1.4 Unserviceable parts of the parachute are replaced to render parachute serviceable in accordance with standard procedures

1.5 Basic parachute repairs are completed in accordance with standard procedures

1.6 Parachute is cleaned in accordance with standard procedures

1.7 Parachute is presented for inspection by supervisor and work is not progressed until supervisor has completed inspections in accordance with standard procedures

1.8 Relevant documentation is completed in accordance with standard procedures

2. Pack parachute

2.1 Parachute is packed for use in accordance with standard procedures

2.2 Parachute is presented for inspection by supervisor and work is not progressed until the supervisor has completed inspections in accordance with standard procedures

2.3 Relevant documentation is completed in accordance with standard procedures

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

ability to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and physical and mental abilities

deliver briefings to personnel in relation to operating parachutes

handle, store and organise transport of equipment

information technology skills to access and input to documentation

liaise with outside agencies relating to maintenance activities

literacy skills for comprehending and interpreting documentation including:

aircraft documentation

maintenance documentation

survival and distress pyrotechnic documentation

maintenance and servicing schedules

flying schedules

technical publications

technical drawings

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

operate and maintain personal protective equipment

problem solving skills for a limited range of differing procedural circumstances

raise and complete maintenance documentation

work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to optimise workflow and productivity

use hand sewing techniques

use relevant hand and power tools

use testing and measuring equipment in accordance with approved methods

Required Knowledge

approved cleaning methods for aviation life support equipment

components of a parachute and their function

critical nature of maintaining and packing parachutes i.e. risk of death

different aviation trades and how they relate to each other

environmental conditions that may affect parachutes

environmental conditions that may affect parachute assemblies

handling, storage and transit procedures relating to parachutes

legal responsibilities

methods of operations for a parachute

modification requirements for parachutes

packing tools and measuring equipment required to pack parachutes

physiological effects of flight

procedures in relation to organisation and aviation industry

purpose of different types of canopies

quality systems and standards

reading and interpreting specifications

relevant legislation and procedures in relation to aviation industry

relevant OH&S regulations/requirements, equipment, material and personal safety requirements

relevant safety precautions

repair limitations for parachutes

requirements for a parachute servicing facility

sequence of ejection

tool control procedures

types of corrosion and contamination that may affect parachute assemblies

ultraviolet degradation

use of aviation industry documentation

use of maintenance documentation

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

correctly pack a minimum of three parachutes consecutively, and with no corrective action required by supervisor

recognise limits of own authority

replace canopy/harness which includes line sequence checks

correctly repair a tear/s in parachute canopy material through patching

inspect, test and replace unserviceable parts of a quick release fitting

recognise a range of faults and their serviceability limits and repair within limitations/tolerances.

The range of faults must include:

tears

contamination

rigging line sequence

incorrect manufacture

verification of expiry date of parachute components

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time with a range of parachute packing and maintenance activities.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated work environment, in accordance with all relevant legislation and Defence requirements.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to parachutes, parachute canopy material, a sewing machine, tools and equipment for packing and maintaining parachutes.

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Standard procedures may include

Australian Standards

Equipment manufacturers’ specifications and procedures

Industry practices

Maintenance schedules

Occupational health and safety (OH&S) requirements

Organisational instructions/journals

Regulatory requirements

Faults may include

Broken stitching

Broken quick release fitting springs

Contamination

Corrosion (e.g. fittings)

Damaged hardware

Damaged quick release fitting screws

Excessive wear

Expired parachute components

Frayed lines

Incorrect manufacture

Pulled threads

Rigging line sequence

Seised quick release fitting lugs

Stretched lines

Tears in parachute

Ultraviolet degradation

Parts of the parachute may include

Canopy

Hardware (e.g. buckles, eyelets, connector links)

Harness

Parachute housing (e.g. pack)

Quick release fitting

Rigging lines

Basic parachute repairs may include

Broken stitching

Corrosion (e.g. fittings)

Damaged hardware

Frayed lines

Pulled threads

Tears in parachute

This unit contains employability skills.