This unit of competency requires application of hand skills and the use of system/component knowledge and applicable maintenance publications and test equipment to inspect, test and troubleshoot advanced aircraft electrical systems and components of fixed and rotary wing aircraft that have advanced electrical systems, during scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. Work may be performed individually or as part of a team.

The unit is part of the Avionic Certificate IV (Aircraft Maintenance Stream) training pathway and is also part of the Mechanical Aircraft Maintenance Engineer licensing 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.

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 include:

recognition of system and component defects/external damage, correct installation, connection of plugs, terminations, attaching hardware (including cabling/harnesses) and security in:

DC and AC power generation systems, including regulation, distribution and control

inverters (rotary and static)

battery installations, including temperature monitoring systems

gas turbine and piston engine ignition and starting systems (where applicable to the enterprise)

propeller systems

internal/external lighting systems, including controls

landing gear systems, including anti-skid

flight controls

fire warning and extinguishing

air cycle air conditioning and combustion heating systems

equipment cooling and ventilation

fuel storage and distribution

master and central warning

applying logic processes, taking and interpreting electrical measurements, using test equipment and appropriate wiring diagrams and manuals to isolate electrical system malfunctions in the above systems

performing system functional tests and checks to isolate system faults and assess post-maintenance serviceability

applying WHS requirements applicable to the maintenance of aircraft electrical systems

using approved maintenance documentation and aircraft publications relating to the electrical systems being maintained.

It is essential that system testing procedures, cleanliness requirements and safety precautions applicable to the electrical system being maintained are fully observed, understood and complied with. Ability to interpret inspection procedures and specifications (allowable limits) and apply them in practice across a range of inspection, testing and troubleshooting applications (including the timely involvement of supervisors or other trades) is critical.

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:

the basic layout (block diagram level), function and operation of the following systems:

DC and AC power multi-generator systems, including regulation, distribution and control

inverters (rotary and static)

battery installations, including temperature monitoring systems

gas turbine and piston engine ignition and starting systems

propeller systems

internal/external lighting systems, including controls

landing gear systems, including anti-skid

flight controls

fire warning and extinguishing

air cycle air conditioning and combustion heating systems

equipment cooling and ventilation

fuel storage and distribution

master and central warning

explaining basic principles/functions, relating to the above systems and associated with:

basic DC and AC circuit theory

DC generator characteristics

alternator characteristics

starter generator characteristics

DC and AC motors

rotary and static inverter operation

WHS requirements applicable to the maintenance of aircraft electrical systems, including gas turbine engine high energy ignition units

electrical system maintenance requirements and troubleshooting procedures

relevant maintenance manuals

relevant regulatory requirements and standard procedures.

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace using tools and equipment specified in the maintenance manuals. It is also expected that general and special purpose tools, and test and ground support equipment would be used where appropriate.

The application of 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.

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 of and performance criteria of the unit of competency are being achieved under routine supervision on a system and at least one (1) item from each of:

DC and AC power generation and distribution systems and components, including generators, alternators, starter generators and related control, regulation and distribution system components

transformer rectifier units and inverters

batteries and related bus tie or interlock system components and battery temperature monitoring systems

motors and actuators

components of gas turbine and/or piston engine ignition and starting systems (may be omitted if not applicable to the enterprise)

external/internal lights

electrical components specific to systems, such as air cycle air conditioning, combustion heating, equipment cooling, anti-icing and de-icing, landing gear, anti-skid, flight control, master and central warning, fuel storage and distribution, fire warning and extinguishing and engine/propeller control.

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 MEA210 Inspect, test and troubleshoot basic aircraft electrical systems and components will have covered inspection, testing and troubleshooting of DC power generation and DC systems and components. The Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement records relating to MEA210 Inspect, test and troubleshoot basic aircraft electrical systems and components may be accepted as also meeting the evidence requirements for this unit in the applicable areas.

Advice in MEA210 Inspect, test and troubleshoot basic aircraft electrical systems and components regarding the coverage provided by MEA274 Maintain basic light aircraft electrical systems and components should also be taken into consideration if the individual has attained that unit rather than MEA210 Inspect, test and troubleshoot basic aircraft electrical systems and components.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Aviation maintenance