Application
This unit of competency requires application of hand skills and the use of system/component knowledge and applicable maintenance publications to inspect aircraft electrical systems and components of fixed and rotary wing aircraft 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 pathways 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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1. | Inspect electrical systems and components | 1.1 | Isolation tags are checked and aircraft configured for safe system inspection and operation in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual |
1.2 | Electrical system components and hardware are visually or physically checked for external signs of defects in accordance with applicable maintenance manual while observing all relevant work health and safety (WHS) requirements | ||
1.3 | Defects are correctly identified and recorded in accordance with standard enterprise procedures |
Evidence of Performance
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 practices
using approved maintenance documentation and aircraft publications relating to the avionic system being maintained
recognition of system and electrical component defects/external damage, correct installation, connection of plugs, terminations, and attaching hardware (including cabling/harnesses) and security in:
AC and DC power generation systems, including regulation, distribution, control and cooling
battery installations and inverters
flight control and/or electro-hydraulic systems
engine ignition, starting, fuel distribution and control systems
internal/external lighting systems, including controls
doors
landing gear systems
anti-skid braking systems
master caution and warning systems
auxiliary systems (including ice/rain protection, fire detection, environmental control and pressurisation, waste and water, equipment and furnishings).
It is essential that inspection 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 (including the timely involvement of supervisors or other trades) is critical.
Evidence of transferability of skills and knowledge related to inspection is essential. This is to be demonstrated through application across a range of aircraft electrical systems, components and hardware listed in the Assessment Conditions.
Evidence of Knowledge
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:
component attachment methods and connection of hardware
explaining the basic layout (block diagram level) and operation of:
AC and DC power generation systems, including regulation, distribution, control and cooling
battery installations and inverters
flight control and/or electro-hydraulic systems
engine ignition, starting, fuel distribution and control systems
internal/external lighting systems, including controls
doors
landing gear systems
anti-skid braking systems
master caution and warning systems
auxiliary systems (including ice/rain protection, fire detection, environmental control and pressurisation, waste and water, equipment and furnishings)
WHS requirements applicable to the maintenance of aircraft electrical systems, including gas turbine engine high-energy ignition units
electrical system maintenance requirements
relevant maintenance manuals
relevant regulatory requirements and standard procedures.
Assessment Conditions
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace using tools and equipment specified in the maintenance manuals. It is also expected that applicable general and special purpose tools, and test and ground support equipment would be used where appropriate.
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 a system and related components in the following groups:
AC and/or DC power generation, regulation and distribution systems
battery installations and bus ties/interlocks
rotary and static inverters and TR units
air cycle air conditioning and pressurisation systems
flight and engine control systems
ignition and starting systems
fire/smoke detection and extinguishing
lighting
master and caution warning systems
equipment and furnishing
equipment cooling and ventilation
position indicating systems
fuel storage and distribution
propeller control systems (may be omitted if not applicable to the enterprise)
landing gear indication and antiskid (may be omitted if not applicable to the enterprise)
ice and rain protection (may be omitted if not applicable to the enterprise)
wastewater (may be omitted if not applicable to the enterprise).
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 MEA211 Inspect, test and troubleshoot advanced aircraft electrical systems and components, will have covered a significant proportion of the Performance Criteria for Element 1 and will have covered many of the Range of Conditions variables. The Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement records relating to MEA211 Inspect, test and troubleshoot advanced aircraft electrical systems and components may be accepted as also meeting the evidence requirements for this unit in the applicable areas.
The relationship between MEA211 Inspect, test and troubleshoot advanced aircraft electrical systems and components and MEA210 Inspect, test and troubleshoot basic aircraft electrical systems and components may also be taken into account where MEA210 Inspect, test and troubleshoot basic aircraft electrical systems and components, has been attained, but not MEA211 Inspect, test and troubleshoot advanced aircraft electrical systems and components. Advice in MEA210 Inspect, test and troubleshoot basic aircraft electrical systems and components regarding the coverage of MEA274 Maintain basic light aircraft electrical systems and components, may also be taken into consideration where applicable.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
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. | ||
Electrical systems and components include: | Alternating current (AC) and/or direct current (DC) power generation, regulation and distribution systems Battery installations and bus ties/interlocks Rotary and static inverters and transformer rectifier (TR) units Air cycle air conditioning and pressurisation systems Flight and engine control systems Ignition and starting systems Fire/smoke detection and extinguishing Lighting Master and caution warning systems Equipment and furnishing Equipment cooling and ventilation Position indicating systems Fuel storage and distribution Propeller control systems (where applicable to the enterprise) Landing gear indication and anti-skid (where applicable to the enterprise) Ice and rain protection (where applicable to the enterprise) Wastewater (where applicable to the enterprise) | |
Procedures and requirements include: | Industry standard procedures specified by manufacturers, regulatory authorities or the enterprise |
Sectors
Competency Field
Aviation maintenance