MEA415A
Paint aircraft surfaces

This Unit covers the competencies required to apply pain finishes to the surfaces of aircraft and aircraft components. No licensing requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, but compliance with legislation and regulations governing handling and disposal of hazardous materials is included in the Unit.

Application

This unit requires application of skills and knowledge relating to final preparation of surfaces and application of paint finishes to aircraft and aircraft components.

Applications include fixed and rotary wing aircraft and aircraft components.


Prerequisites

MEA101B

Interpret occupational health and safety practices in aviation maintenance

MEA103B

Plan and organise aviation maintenance work activity

MEA105B

Apply quality standards applicable to aviation maintenance processes

MEA107B

Interpret and use aviation maintenance industry manuals and specifications

MEA108B

Complete aviation maintenance industry documentation

MEA109B

Perform basic hand skills, standard trade practices and fundamentals in aviation maintenance

AURV229749A

Prepare spray painting materials and equipment

AURV329603D A

Apply air dry and polyurethane enamel refinishing materials


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for painting

1.1. The painting task is identified from maintenance documentation and enterprise procedures and type of substrate is identified.

1.2. Enterprise procedures and maintenance publications are used to identify required materials and tools and necessary items are assembled.

1.3. Aircraft or component identification is matched with relevant maintenance documentation.

1.4. Surfaces are prepared for application of paint in accordance with enterprise procedures and/or process specification.

1.5. Masking and barrier materials are applied as required by task.

2. Apply primer

2.1. OH&S requirements are identified and complied with and personal protective equipment (PPE) is checked for correct fit and function.

2.2. Temperature and humidity requirements are complied with.

2.3. Specified primer is applied in accordance with enterprise procedures and/or process specification.

2.4. Reject paintwork is identified and rectified in accordance with enterprise procedures and/or process specification.

2.5. Equipment is cleaned.

3. Apply surface top coat

3.1. OH&S requirements are identified and complied with and personal protective equipment (PPE) is checked for correct fit and function.

3.2. Temperature and humidity requirements are complied with.

3.3. The specified top coat material is prepared in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.

3.4. Top coat is applied in accordance with enterprise procedures and/or process specifications.

3.5. Reject paintwork is identified and rectified in accordance with enterprise procedures and/or process specifications.

3.6. Masking and barrier materials are removed and final finishing of the surface is completed as required.

3.7. Documentation is completed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures.

4. Clean up work area and maintain equipment

4.1. Waste material is removed and disposed of or stored in accordance with legislative, regulatory and enterprise procedures.

4.2. Equipment is cleaned in accordance with enterprise procedures or manufacturer's instructions.

4.3. Equipment is checked for serviceability and unserviceable items are dealt with in accordance with enterprise procedures.

4.4. Tools are cleaned and maintained in accordance with enterprise procedures.

4.5. Work area is cleaned and inspected for serviceable condition.

Required Skills

Required skills

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

application of OH&S procedures relating to paint application, including the selection and correct use of PPE

selection and application of masking and barrier materials

identification, preparation and use of applicable primers and top coats

use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

use of manufacturer specifications and directions

selection and use of applicable paint application equipment

preparation of surfaces for paint application

correct disposal of waste materials

cleaning and maintenance of equipment and tools

Required knowledge

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge of:

relevant enterprise procedures, process specifications and maintenance publications

OH&S procedures relating to the application of aerospace coatings including PPE and fume extraction

how to obtain MSDS

manufacturer specifications and directions

types of paint finishes and applicability to various substrates

procedures for preparing surfaces for paint application

types of masking and barrier materials

methods used for final finishing of surfaces

environmental legislation and regulations relating to the storage, use and disposal of hazardous materials

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to apply paint finishes to the surfaces of aircraft and aircraft components in accordance with specified procedures while using the correct PPE and observing all relevant safety precautions and environmental protection processes.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable across a range of paint application tasks associated with aircraft and aircraft components. It is essential that system testing procedures, cleanliness requirements and safety precautions, including the correct use of PPE, and application of environmental protection procedures are fully observed, understood and complied with. Ability to interpret coating removal procedures and apply them in practice is critical.

Evidence of transferability of skills and knowledge related to application of paint finishes is essential. This is to be demonstrated through application of paint finishes across a range of aircraft and component substrate types. The work plan should take account of applicable safety and quality requirements in accordance with the industry and regulatory standards.

A person cannot be assessed as competent until it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the workplace assessor that the relevant elements of the Unit of Competency are being achieved under routine supervision on a representative range of paint finish application tasks.

This shall be established via the records in the Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement or, where appropriate, an equivalent Industry .

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace using materials, tools and equipment specified in the maintenance manuals and applicable procedures. It is also expected that general and special purpose tools and ground support equipment would be used where appropriate.

Method of assessment

Guidance information for assessment


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Application of this unit may relate to:

scheduled or unscheduled maintenance

individual or team related activities

Procedures and requirements

Refer to industry standard procedures specified by manufacturers, regulatory authorities or the enterprise.

Type of substrate

Type of substrate may be:

high strength steel

aluminium alloys

composite fibre

plastic

transparencies

magnesium alloy

fabric

wood

Required materials and tools

Required materials and tools may include:

epoxy primers

lacquer primers

acrylic top coats

polyurethane top coats

chemicals

masking and barrier materials

low pressure gun or touch-up gun

general purpose suction feed spray guns

airless spray units

electrostatic spray equipment

sanding/polishing equipment and materials

PPE

OH&S requirements

OH&S requirements are identified from relevant:

State/Territory/Commonwealth OH&S legislation, regulations and codes

procedures manual

safety manual

work instructions

maintenance organisation manual

MSDS

Defence regulations and instructions

standing instructions

Legislative, regulatory and enterprise procedures

Legislative, regulatory and enterprise procedures may include:

State/Territory/Commonwealth environmental legislation, regulations and codes for the storage and disposal of hazardous and toxic materials

MSDS

maintenance organisation manual

procedures manual

work instructions

relevant Defence regulations and instructions

standing instructions


Sectors

Unit sector


Competency Field

Aviation maintenance


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.