This unit of competency requires application of hand skills and the use of relevant maintenance manuals, drawings and specifications to fabricate and repair a range of fixed and rotary wing aircraft mechanical components during the performance of scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. Maintenance may be performed individually or as part of a team.

The unit is part of the Mechanical Certificate IV (Aircraft Maintenance Stream) and Structures Certificate IV training pathways.

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 must include:

applying relevant WHS practices, including the use of MSDS and PPE

using relevant maintenance documentation, specifications and aircraft/component manuals to:

recognise state of serviceability and repair requirements for the range of mechanical components listed in the Range of Conditions

fabricate components

identify requirements and complete repairs

test and/or adjust components, as required

correctly tagging, sealing and packaging completed components.

The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable across a range of fabrication and repair applications associated with aircraft components. It is essential that the relevant procedures are interpreted and applied to ensure quality and safety standards are achieved. This shall be demonstrated through application across a number of different aircraft components listed in the Assessment Conditions.

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 operation

fabrication and repair procedures and processes

relevant maintenance manuals

relevant regulatory requirements and standard procedures

relevant WHS practices

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 and special-purpose tools and test equipment found in most routine situations would be used where appropriate.

Evidence of knowledge about the general aspects of material specification and selection, measurement, fabrication and repair should be related to specific aircraft component applications. Ability to assess component serviceability and interpret parts requirements will be necessary 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 at least one item from each of the following groups:

hose assemblies

pipes

cables, pulleys, chains, sprockets and gear drives

control rods, bellcranks and links.

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 MEA328 Maintain and/or repair aircraft mechanical components or parts will have fully met the criteria for Element 2. The Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement records relating to MEA328 Maintain and/or repair aircraft mechanical components or parts may be accepted as also meeting the evidence requirements for the Performance Criteria for this Element.

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

Aviation maintenance