This unit of competency requires application of hand skills, theory knowledge and maintenance publication procedures to repair and overhaul rotary wing dynamic components during the performance of scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. Maintenance may be performed individually or as part of a team.

Applications include rotor assemblies and components, transmissions, drive shafts and couplings from piston and turbine engine rotary wing aircraft.

The unit is part of the Mechanical Certificate IV (Component Workshop Maintenance Stream) training pathway. It is used in workplaces that operate under the airworthiness regulatory systems of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

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, including the use of MSDS and PPE

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

recognise state of serviceability and overhaul or repair requirements for rotary wing components as listed in the Range of Conditions

test and accurately and efficiently troubleshoot unserviceabilities and document the causes in rotary wing components

dismantle and inspect rotary wing component parts for serviceability and identify repair requirements as applicable

repair/replace/modify rotary wing component parts

assemble, balance as required, test for correct operation and adjust rotary wing components

correctly tagging, sealing and packaging completed components.

The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable across a range of repair and/or overhaul applications associated with aircraft components. It is essential that the maintenance 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. Ability to assess component serviceability and interpret parts requirements will be necessary to supplement the required evidence. Capability to interpret inspection procedures and specifications (allowable limits) 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:

how to obtain relevant MSDS

the use of applicable items of PPE

WHS procedures

fault diagnosis techniques

system and component operation

repair and overhaul procedures and processes.

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 application of testing procedures should clearly indicate knowledge of system operation. Knowledge of system operation and the relationship of individual components will be necessary to supplement evidence of ability to troubleshoot component faults 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 (1) item from each of the following groups:

rotor blades

rotor heads, hinge assemblies and swashplates

transmission gear boxes, drive shafts and couplings.

This must include demonstration of the following repair processes:

finishing or re-finishing of metal surfaces through processes, such as polishing, lapping and blending of damage within maintenance manual limits

removal of corrosion within maintenance manual limits

replacement of seals and gaskets

replacement of bearings

application of surface treatments, such as alodining

restoration of paint finishes.

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).

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

Aviation maintenance