This unit of competency requires application of hand skills and the use of relevant maintenance publications to maintain and repair a range of aircraft mechanical components during the performance of scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. Maintenance may be performed individually or as part of a team.

Applications include fixed and rotary wing aircraft, and components in workshops.

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.

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

identify requirements and complete repairs and/or modifications

test and/or adjust components, as required.

correctly tag, seal and package completed components

The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable across a range of maintenance 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 as 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:

construction, repair procedures and processes for:

cables

pulleys

chains

sprockets

gear drives

control rods

bellcranks

linkages

non-structural removable components of fuselages, fairings, nacelles, empennage and wings

engine thrust reversers

from unpressurised aircraft:

entry, cargo and access doors

windows

transparent panels

construction and serviceability criteria for hoses and pipes, including pressure test requirements

construction, materials, cleaning and repair requirements for:

trim panels

cabin linings

seats

cabin equipment and consoles

floor panels

coverings

emergency equipment and stowages

cargo, crew and/or passenger seat restraints

relevant WHS practices

how to obtain MSDS

use of PPE

relevant maintenance manuals, standards and specifications

relevant regulatory requirements and standard procedures.

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.

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 a representative range of components or parts from each of the following groups:

hoses

pipes

cables, pulleys, chains, sprockets and gear drives

control rods, bellcranks and links

non-structural removable components of fuselages, fairings, nacelles, empennage, wings and thrust reversers. for non-pressurised aircraft – entry, cargo, access doors and associated seals, windows and transparent panels

trim panels, linings, seats, cabin equipment and consoles, floor panels, coverings and emergency equipment (including passenger escape systems, inflatable slides, life jackets, rafts, location transmitters, beacons, and cargo, crew and/or passenger seat restraints.

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 MEA327 Fabricate and/or repair aircraft mechanical components or parts will have partially met the performance criteria for Element 1 for some of the listed variables. The Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement records relating to MEA327 Fabricate and/or repair aircraft mechanical components or parts may be accepted as also meeting the evidence requirements for the performance criteria for this Element in respect to common variables.

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

Aviation maintenance