This unit of competency requires application of hand skills and the use of maintenance publications and modification documentation to perform sheet metal work associated with avionic modifications being incorporated on small fixed and rotary wing aircraft during scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. Work may be performed individually or as part of a team.

This unit of competency is part of the Avionic Certificate IV (Aircraft Maintenance Stream) training pathway.

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.

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 enterprise procedures, approved maintenance documentation and aircraft publications relating to aircraft sheet metal components

identifying various aircraft metals used for sheet metal components and their basic metallurgy properties by interpretation of markings, numbering systems or visual, chemical or mechanical means

handling and storing aircraft metals used for sheet metal components, including sealing agents, to industry standards

identifying aircraft sheet metal assembly fasteners (metal and non-metallic) by interpretation of markings, numbering systems, size, shape and colour

correctly interpreting, modification drawings and hand sketches

using appropriate hand tools and machines to fit avionic modification sheet metal components to the aircraft

freehand precision hole generation

applying corrosion prevention techniques during component fitment

restoring sealing and surface finishes.

The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable into other areas that require similar techniques. It is essential that procedures take into account all safety precautions and quality requirements, standards and practices, and processes associated with assembly.

Evidence of knowledge about enterprise procedures relating to avionic modification incorporation and practices relating to associated sheet metal component installation will be necessary to supplement evidence of ability to fit a range of sheet metal components in a specific application.

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:

aircraft sheet metal component construction principles

identification of primary, secondary and tertiary structure

aircraft sheet metal assembly fasteners, their characteristics and identification

fits and clearances for fasteners

fitting methods for fasteners

use of grip pins

corrosion of aircraft structure and its prevention

application of surface finishes

relevant WHS procedures

how to obtain MSDS

use of PPE.

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 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 on the following range of sheet metal components:

doublers for the installation of antennas

brackets for the installation of avionic system components

racks for components, such as transmitters/receivers

hardware for the support of antenna cables and system electrical wiring.

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

Aviation maintenance