Application
The unit of competency requires application and adaption of the skills and knowledge of MEM05044B Perform welds to code standards using gas tungsten arc welding process, to the plasma arc welding (PAW) of applicable aircraft parent metal groups as specified by the Regulators during scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. Work may be performed individually or as part of a team.
The unit covers the development of competency elements required to gain approval within the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) or the Australian Defence Force (ADF) regulatory systems to weld aircraft components using the PAW process. Individuals will be authorised to weld specific parent metal groups, as specified in CAAP 33-1(1) Aircraft manual welding: approvals and qualifications or RAAF Specification Engineering W5003 Welders – Qualification for Aircraft, Missile and Aerospace Fusion welding.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | |||
1. | Prepare to perform repair or fabricate component using PAW process | 1.1 | Materials or component to be welded and the applicable parent metal group are identified in accordance with applicable data | |
1.2 | Welding equipment is inspected for serviceability and correctly set up in accordance with standard operating procedures | |||
1.3 | Component (or materials) are prepared for welding | |||
2. | Plasma arc weld component | 2.1 | Welds are performed to the required standard in accordance with the applicable repair scheme or drawing while observing all relevant work health and safety (WHS) requirements, including the use of material safety data sheets (MSDS) and items of personal protective equipment (PPE) | |
2.2 | Completed welds are inspected for defects and any defects rectified | |||
3. | Complete documentation | 3.1 | Required documentation is completed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures | |
Evidence of Performance
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:
safely applying advanced gas tungsten arc welding skills defined in unit MEM05044B Perform welds to code standards using gas tungsten arc welding process, and adapting them to perform PAW of specified aircraft parent metal group materials or components to the standards specified by the relevant Regulator (CASA or the ADF)
applying welding principles (unit MEM05026C Apply welding principles) in the context of PAW of aircraft components or materials
inspecting PAW process equipment for serviceability with particular emphasis on the orifice
identifying weld requirements from applicable documentation
selecting and correctly using items of PPE applicable to PAW of aircraft components.
Evidence is required of the ability to produce plasma arc welds to required specifications consistently across the range of components that are being fabricated or repaired, while applying all relevant safety precautions. The ability to do this must be demonstrated through the production of the test pieces specified for the welding process and parent metal group in the CAAP 33-1(0) Aircraft manual welding: approvals and qualifications or RAAF Specification Engineering W5003 Welders – Qualification for Aircraft, Missile and Aerospace Fusion welding.
Evidence of Knowledge
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:
regulatory requirements applicable to aircraft welding
standards applicable to aircraft welding
the procedure for assessment of weld test pieces
equipment required for PAW and its operation and maintenance requirements
the relative advantages of the plasma process for welding and cutting
the composition of gases used in the PAW process
safety precautions applicable to PAW and applicable PPE.
Assessment Conditions
Test pieces specified for each parent metal group for which approval is sought may be completed in the workplace or a simulated workplace. The individual must be provided with all required equipment, consumables, PPE, materials and data/drawings relating to the test pieces that are required for the approvals being sought.
Assessment of test pieces must be carried out in a testing facility that meets the requirements specified by the applicable Regulator.
Assessment methods are specified in the CAAP 33-1(0) Aircraft manual welding: approvals and qualifications or RAAF Specification Engineering W5003 Welders – Qualification for Aircraft, Missile and Aerospace Fusion welding.
Assessors must satisfy the requirements of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Australian Skills Quality Authority, or its successors).
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | ||
Materials include: | Any metal used in the construction of aircraft components that is suitable for PAW | |
Components include: | Any aircraft component where PAW is specified as either a fabrication or repair technique | |
Parent metal groups against which welding authorities are individually granted are: | Aluminium alloys Magnesium alloys Carbon steels and low alloy steels Corrosion and heat resisting steels Nickel alloys Copper-based alloys Titanium alloys | |
Required standards are specified in: | Regulations relating to required test pieces Process specifications Repair manuals Overhaul manuals Australian and New Zealand Standards | |
Sectors
Competency Field
Aviation maintenance