This unit of competency requires application of hand skills and the use of system/component knowledge and applicable maintenance publications and test equipment to inspect, test and troubleshoot, and replace components of airframe systems of fixed wing aircraft that have fixed undercarriage and a normally aspirated engine driving a fixed pitch propeller, or a small gas turbine engine. This may be done 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) 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:

using hand skills, tools and test equipment in the testing, adjustment and troubleshooting of airframe systems and components, including airframe system component removal and installation

recognising system and component defects/external damage, correct installation and security for the range of airframe systems listed in the Range of Conditions

removing, installing and rigging of flight controls

checking flight control mass balance

performing system functional tests and checks to isolate system faults and assess post-maintenance serviceability

effectively using maintenance documentation and relevant fault diagnosis guides in the troubleshooting process and for component removal and installation

applying standard procedures

observing all relevant WHS procedures, including the use of PPE and MSDS.

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 airframe systems and components of basic light fixed wing aircraft. It is essential that relevant procedures, cleanliness requirements and safety precautions are fully observed, understood and complied with. Ability to interpret inspection procedures and specifications (allowable limits) and apply them in practice is critical.

This shall be demonstrated through application across a range of airframe systems and 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:

WHS precautions relevant to airframe system maintenance, including the use of PPE and MSDS

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)

flight control balancing and flutter

stability and control and flight control rigging

system layout and operation:

cockpit controls

cables and cable tensioning

pulleys and fairleads

bellcranks

levers

control surface horns

screwjacks

push/pull rods

mechanical flight control system maintenance procedures and troubleshooting

fixed undercarriage and shock absorber systems:

undercarriage configurations and types (tail wheel, tricycle and bicycle)

relative advantages of undercarriage configurations

steering systems

types of shock absorber (springs, leaf, coil, spring tube, rubber disc, bungee and oleo)

wheels and tyres

axles and wheel bearings

wheel spats

fixed undercarriage maintenance procedures and troubleshooting

small aircraft brake systems:

types of brake system (mechanical and hydraulic)

master/slave cylinder hydraulic brake system operation

hydraulic fluids and seals

rigid and flexible plumbing

brake pads and shoes

brake discs and drums/linings

brake system maintenance procedures and troubleshooting

cabin heater system layout and operation:

heat source (muff heaters)

ducting for heating and demisting

valves and linkages

fan

cabin heating system maintenance procedures and troubleshooting

fuel system layout and operation:

fuel tank types and location

selector valves and linkages

drain valves

rigid and flexible plumbing

fuel filters

boost pumps

relevant maintenance manuals

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-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 this unit of competency are being achieved under routine supervision as follows:

at least one (1) of each system:

flight control systems

fixed undercarriage shock absorbers

master/slave cylinder brake systems

fuel systems

cabin heating systems

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

ailerons, elevators, rudders, trim tabs, flaps and slats

flight control wheels or sticks, cables, pulleys, guides, fairleads, bellcranks, rods, torque tubes, chains, sprockets, trim wheels or handles and rudder pedals or bars

fixed undercarriage hydraulic and rubber shock absorbers

wheels and brake units

brake master cylinders and rigid or flexible plumbing

rigid or flexible fuel tanks, selector/shutoff valves and rigid or flexible plumbing

cabin heater ducting and control valves.

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