Application
This unit of competency requires application of hand skills and the use of system/component knowledge and applicable test equipment to inspect, test and troubleshoot basic aircraft instrument systems and to remove and install components during scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. Work may be performed individually or as part of a team.
Applications include light fixed wing aircraft with fixed undercarriage and basic rotary wing aircraft with skids or floats and no powered flight controls powered by either a normally aspirated piston engine or small gas turbine.
The unit is part of the small aircraft maintenance Certificate III and IV Mechatronics training pathways.
Where a Civil Aviation Safety Authority (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 basic aircraft instrument systems and components | 1.1 | Relevant maintenance documentation and modification status, including system defect reports, where relevant, are used to identify specific inspection requirements |
1.2 | Isolation tags are checked and aircraft configured for safe system inspection and operation in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual while observing all relevant work health and safety (WHS) requirements | ||
1.3 | Instrument system components are visually or physically checked for external signs of defects in accordance with applicable maintenance manual | ||
1.4 | Defects are correctly identified and reported | ||
2. | Test/adjust basic aircraft instrument systems and components | 2.1 | Aircraft and system are prepared in accordance with applicable maintenance manual for the application of power/system operation |
2.2 | Instrument system is functionally tested in accordance with maintenance manual for evidence of serviceability or malfunction | ||
2.3 | System calibration or adjustments are performed in accordance with maintenance manual, as appropriate | ||
3. | Troubleshoot basic aircraft instrument systems and components | 3.1 | Available information from maintenance documentation, inspection and test results is used, where necessary, to assist in fault determination |
3.2 | Maintenance manual fault diagnosis guides and logic processes are used to ensure efficient and accurate troubleshooting to line replacement level | ||
3.3 | Specialist advice is obtained, where required, to assist with the troubleshooting process | ||
3.4 | Instrument system faults are located and the causes of the faults are clearly identified and correctly recorded in maintenance documentation, where required, in accordance with standard enterprise procedures | ||
3.5 | Rectification requirements are determined | ||
4. | Remove and install basic aircraft instrument system components | 4.1 | System is rendered safe and prepared in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual and isolation tags are fitted where necessary to ensure personnel safety |
4.2 | Instrument component removal is carried out in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual while observing all relevant WHS requirements | ||
4.3 | Required maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures | ||
4.4 | Removed components are tagged and packaged in accordance with specified procedures | ||
4.5 | Instrument components to be installed are checked to confirm correct part numbers, modification status, serviceability and shelf life | ||
4.6 | Physical installation of instrument components is performed in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual and regulatory requirements, ensuring appropriate adjustment/alignment is carried out | ||
4.7 | System is reinstated to correct operational condition in preparation for testing, as necessary | ||
4.8 | Required maintenance documentation is completed and processed 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:
using approved maintenance documentation and aircraft publications relating to basic instrument systems
locating and identifying flight instrument system components comprising:
engine system temperature and speed, including mechanical and electrical tachometers
auxiliary direct reading systems, including vacuum, fuel storage quantities
flight systems, including attitude, altitude, air speed and OAT
locating and identifying direct reading compasses
correct handling and observance of maintenance precautions relating to gyroscopes, gimbals and pitot/static systems (connections, heating and protrusions)
recognising system and component defects/external damage, correct installation, connection of plugs, terminations, attaching hardware, including cabling/harnesses, and security in:
flight instruments
pitot/static systems
direct reading compasses
piston engine and gas turbine engine indication systems
electrical systems indication
basic fuel quantity indication systems
vacuum indication systems
applying logic processes, taking and interpreting system measurements, using test equipment and appropriate wiring diagrams and manuals to isolate malfunctions in the above systems
performing system functional tests and checks to isolate system faults and assess post-maintenance serviceability
applying WHS requirements relevant to instrument system maintenance.
Where relevant to the enterprise:
locating and identifying:
electronic flight instrument system (EFIS)
engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS)
electronic central aircraft monitoring (ECAM)
data linkage and transmission systems
recognising system and component defects/external damage, correct installation, connection of plugs, terminations, attaching hardware (including cabling/harnesses)
interpreting the information presented on instrument display systems
performing system functional tests and checks to confirm post-maintenance serviceability
It is essential that system testing procedures, cleanliness requirements and safety precautions applicable to the instrument 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 of transferability of skills and knowledge related to inspection, testing and troubleshooting is essential. This is to be demonstrated through application across a range of basic aircraft instrument systems and components 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
connection of hardware and plugs
handling precautions for electrostatic sensitive devices
relevant WHS practices
the basic layout (block diagram level), function and operation of the following systems as listed in the Range of Conditions:
pitot/static systems
piston engine and gas turbine engine direct reading indication systems
basic fuel quantity measurement systems
the operating principles of the above systems and associated with:
atmospheric conditions; properties and effects on aircraft instruments and systems
pressure and temperature sensing elements and their use in aircraft instruments
gyroscopes and their use in aircraft instrument systems
electrical fundamentals
instrument construction and operation:
instrument groupings, panel layout and construction
pitot static instruments (ASI, VSI and counter-pointer altimeters), their operation, calibration, safe handling and related terminology
pitot pressure
static pressure
altimeter Q code settings:
QNH
QNE
QFE
indicated airspeed (IAS)
true airspeed (TAS)
vacuum system indication component construction and operation
air and electrically powered artificial horizon construction and operation
DG construction and operation
construction and operation of direct reading engine instruments
turn and bank and slip/turn coordinator construction and operation
direct reading compass construction and compass calibration
piston and gas turbine engine direct reading measuring instruments and temperature indication instruments construction and operation
voltage and current measuring instrument construction and operation
volumetric fluid quantity system components, construction and operation
instrument system maintenance requirements and troubleshooting procedures, including pitot/static system leak testing
relevant maintenance documentation and maintenance publications
relevant regulatory requirements and standard procedures
for electronic flight and engine instrument systems:
the layout and operation (to block diagram level) of EFIS, EICAS and ECAM systems and related data linkage and transmission systems
interpretation of display data
component removal and installation procedures
testing of system operation using on-board testing procedures and/or simple external test equipment with a go or no go outcome
software management control requirements.
Assessment Conditions
Competency should be assessed in the work environment or simulated work environment using tools and equipment specified in maintenance documentation. It is also expected that applicable general-purpose tools and test equipment found in most routine situations 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 and performance criteria of the unit of competency are being achieved under routine supervision on a system and at least one major system component/line replaceable unit (LRU) from each of the following groups:
pitot/static systems and components, ASI, VSI and counter-pointer altimeters
DGs and AHs (air and electrically driven)
turn and bank and slip/turn coordinators
direct reading compasses
piston engine and gas turbine engine indication system components (direct reading measuring instruments and temperature indication)
electronic flight and engine instrument system components (may be omitted if not relevant to the enterprise)
electrical systems indication (voltage and current)
basic fuel quantity indication systems and components
vacuum indication components.
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.
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. | |
Applicable instrument systems and components include: | Pitot/static systems and components, airspeed indicators (ASI), vertical speed indicators (VSI), outside air temperature gauges (OAT) and counter-pointer altimeters Directional gyros (DGs) and artificial horizons (AHs) (air and electrically driven) Turn and bank and slip/turn coordinators Direct reading compasses Piston engine and gas turbine engine indication system components (direct reading measuring instruments and temperature indication) Electrical systems indication (voltage and current) Basic fuel quantity indication systems and components Vacuum indication components Electronic flight and engine instruments (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