This unit of competency requires application of procedures and techniques associated with the inspection and maintenance of non-pressurised small aircraft structures during scheduled or unscheduled maintenance, including special inspections required after events, such as heavy landings, overstress or flight through heavy turbulence.

The unit also covers the performance of a limited range of minor metal and composite repairs that are classified as elementary maintenance. Also required is an application of procedures and techniques associated with the removal and installation of related structural and non-structural components, including items such as internal trim, seats and emergency equipment. Work may be performed individually or as part of a team.

The unit is part of the Aeroskills Mechatronics Certificates III and IV small aircraft maintenance training pathways.

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 all relevant WHS procedures, including the selection and use of MSDS and applicable items of PPE

demonstrating appropriate cleaning procedures to enable structure inspection

demonstrating correct inspection procedures in accordance with aircraft and procedures manuals

identifying damage to aircraft metallic (ferrous and non-ferrous) structures and/or components by way of impact, fatigue or the various types of corrosion

inspecting damage and assessing composite components/structures

identifying various aircraft metals and their basic properties

identifying composite materials used in aircraft construction, associated safety precautions and hazards

using appropriate hand tools and machines, including riveting equipment, drilling equipment, aligning tools and material fasteners (grip pins)

applying correct removal, installation and repair techniques for a range of rivets (blind and solid) using hand, squeeze and pneumatic situations

performing metal, composite and fabric repairs classified as elementary maintenance

restoring aircraft structure sealing and surface finishes

using relevant maintenance documentation and aircraft manuals to:

remove and install structural and non-structural components

remove and install aircraft interior fittings

remove and install doors, door seals, windows and transparent panels

checking and adjusting all doors and access panels, including locking mechanisms

removing and installing emergency equipment.

It is essential that the procedures take into account all aircraft and personal safety precautions relating to aircraft structure.

Evidence of transferability of skills and knowledge related to inspection, testing and minor repair of aircraft structure other than primary structure is essential. This may be demonstrated through application across a number of aircraft structures or aircraft types. Ability to interpret inspection and minor repair procedures and apply them in practice is critical.

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:

applicable WHS procedures, including the use of PPE and MSDS

construction methods and materials used in:

fuselage sections

wing sections

engine nacelles and mounts

windows and window frames

doors, locks and access panels

definition of structural terms, i.e. safe life, damage tolerant, failsafe, stress, strain, shear and cycles

inspection requirements for metal and composite structure, including:

ageing aircraft inspection requirements

safe life structure

damage tolerant structure

fail safe structure

inspection following abnormal events

potential causes of structural failure

NDT methods and application of the various techniques

construction methods of, and assessing common defects in, aircraft plastic transparencies

basic constructional features of, and assessing common defects in, glass windscreens

aircraft fabric coverings and methods for performance of minor repairs classified as elementary maintenance

the various forms of structural corrosion, stating the causes and structural effects of corrosion on aircraft

the terms associated with composite materials and types of composite materials

non-structural component methods of attachment and faying surface treatment

non-pressurised fuselage aircraft doors, related seals and window and transparent panel attachment methods and sealing

aircraft interior fittings (trim, linings, seats and floor panels) construction and attachment methods

the location and attachment or stowage methods for emergency equipment

assessment of structural damage:

types and classes of mechanical damage

types of corrosion and determining the extent of damage

relevant documentation and manuals

damage limits and repair schemes for metallic and non-metallic structure

how to perform minor repairs to metal and composite structure that are classified as elementary maintenance

surface finishes and methods of restoration, including specific WHS and PPE requirements

how to obtain MSDS

relevant maintenance and structural repair 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 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 under routine supervision across the variables in the Range of Conditions as follows:

inspection and/or testing of at least one (1) item from each of the following groups:

non-ferrous and ferrous alloys and composite (FRP) materials used in aircraft construction

structural fastening and attachment hardware and/or devices

seals and sealants

glass and moulded plastics

preparation for application of NDT techniques

doors, hinges and locking mechanisms for damage/misalignment

inspections applicable to each of safe life, damage tolerant and fail safe structure relevant to enterprise

ageing aircraft inspection programs

inspection after abnormal events

recognition of each type of damage:

impact damage

fatigue cracking

corrosion

delamination of composites and bonded structures

one (1) minor elementary maintenance repair task from each of the following groups:

repair of non-structural fairings, cover plates and cowlings

stop drilling of cracks and bonding to acrylic or Perspex windscreens

restoration of preservative or protective materials

one (1) removal and installation task from each of the following groups:

removable components of wings, tail booms, pylons, empennage, skids, fairings and nacelles

removable components or sections of non-pressurised fuselages

non-pressurised fuselage entry, cargo, access doors and associated seals (including checking and adjustment of all doors and access panels and associated locking mechanisms)

non-pressurised fuselage windows and transparent panels

floor panels.

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 National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (NVR)/Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) assessor requirements.

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.

The competency elements and performance criteria also cover some of those required for units MEA304 Remove and install non-pressurised aircraft structural and non-structural components and MEA339 Inspect, repair and maintain aircraft structures. Refer to those units for details of credits that may be granted during assessment of those units.

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

Aviation maintenance