Application
This unit of competency requires application of hand skills and the use of maintenance publications and knowledge of system theory to inspect, test and troubleshoot fixed wing aircraft flight control system components during the performance of scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. Maintenance may be performed individually or as part of a team.
This unit is part of the Mechanical Certificate IV (Aircraft Maintenance Stream) training 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 fixed wing flight control systems and components | 1.1 | Isolation tags already attached to the system or related systems are checked and aircraft configured for safe system inspection and operation in accordance with applicable maintenance manual |
1.2 | Fixed wing flight control systems and components are visually or physically checked for signs of defects in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual while observing all relevant work health and safety (WHS) requirements | ||
2. | Test fixed wing flight control systems | 2.1 | Powered controls of the aircraft and system are prepared in accordance with maintenance manual for the application of electrical and hydraulic power |
2.2 | Power is applied, if necessary, and system is functionally tested in accordance with applicable maintenance manual for malfunction or evidence of incorrect rigging | ||
2.3 | System rigging is performed in accordance with applicable maintenance manual | ||
3. | Prepare for troubleshooting | 3.1 | Relevant maintenance documentation and modification status, including system defect reports, where relevant, are interpreted to identify an unserviceability |
4. | Troubleshoot fixed wing flight control systems | 4.1 | Available information from maintenance documentation and inspection and test results is used, where necessary, to assist in fault determination |
4.2 | Maintenance manual fault diagnosis guide and logical processes are used to ensure efficient and accurate troubleshooting to line replacement level | ||
4.3 | Specialist advice is obtained, where required, to assist with the troubleshooting process | ||
4.4 | Fixed wing flight control system faults are located and the causes of the faults are clearly identified and correctly recorded in maintenance documentation, where required | ||
4.5 | Fault rectification requirements are determined to assist in planning the repair | ||
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 procedures
using relevant maintenance documentation and aircraft manuals to:
recognise defects during visual inspection of fixed wing flight control systems and system components
rig fixed wing flight control systems
functionally test the operation of fixed wing flight control systems and recognise system/component malfunction or evidence of incorrect rigging
to the extent permitted by applicable fault diagnosis guides, troubleshooting unserviceabilities in fixed wing flight control systems and clearly recording the causes of the unserviceabilities.
The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable across a range of inspection, testing and troubleshooting applications (including the timely involvement of supervisors or other trades) associated with the aircraft fixed wing flight systems. It is essential that testing procedures take into account all safety precautions associated with flight control system operation, in particular where system operation/switching interrelates to other systems being maintained, and that an awareness be demonstrated of dual inspection requirements associated with work on flight controls and systems.
Ability to interpret system performance specifications (allowable limits) and apply them in practice is critical and shall be demonstrated through application across the range of systems 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:
WHS precautions relevant to flight control system maintenance
standard trade practices relating to tool and test/rigging equipment usage and installation/securing of system components
flight control system layout and operation:
theory of flight:
airflow
conditions of flight
lift and forces
drag
wings, tailplane and vertical stabiliser
lift augmentation (flaps, slats and slots)
aircraft control surfaces and their function (elevator, ailerons, rudder, elevons and trim tabs)
spoilers and speed brakes
flight control balancing and flutter
stability and control and flight control rigging
mechanical system layout and operation:
cockpit controls
cables and cable tensioning
pulleys and fairleads
bellcranks
levers
control surface horns
screwjacks
push/pull rods
powered flight controls:
system layout and operation
component construction and operation
electrical and instrument interfaces:
flaps
trim
position indication
flight control system maintenance procedures and troubleshooting methods
flight control system interfaces with automatic pilot systems
relevant maintenance manuals
relevant regulatory requirements and standard procedures.
Assessment Conditions
Competency should be assessed in the work environment or simulated work environment, using tools and equipment specified in aircraft maintenance manuals. It is also expected that applicable general-purpose tools, test and ground support equipment found in most routine situations would be used where appropriate.
The application of ground 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.
Assessment conditions must also provide for knowledge of dual inspection requirements to be demonstrated.
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 at least one (1) item from each of:
elevator, aileron and rudder primary flight control systems and associated trim systems
speed brake, spoiler, flap and high lift systems
ailerons, elevators, rudders, trim tabs, speed brakes, spoilers, flaps and slats
actuators – mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or electric
mechanical flight control components (cables, pulleys, guides, fairleads, tension regulators, control rods, bellcranks, torque tubes, chains, sprockets, control sticks, wheels or columns, trim wheels or handles, and rudder pedals).
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. | ||
Flight control systems and system components include: | Elevator, aileron and rudder primary flight control systems and associated trim systems Speed brake, spoiler, flap and high lift systems Ailerons, elevators, rudders, trim tabs, speed brakes, spoilers, flaps and slats Actuators – mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or electric Mechanical flight control components (cables, pulleys, guides, fairleads, tension regulators, control rods, bellcranks, torque tubes, chains, sprockets, control sticks, wheels or columns, trim wheels or handles, and rudder pedals) | |
Procedures and requirements include: | Industry standard procedures specified by manufacturers, regulatory authorities or the enterprise | |
Sectors
Competency Field
Aviation maintenance