MEA435
Weld aircraft components using the manual metal arc welding process


Application

The unit of competency requires application of the skills and knowledge of MEM05046B Perform welds to code standards using manual metal arc welding process, to the welding of applicable 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 manual metal arc welding (MMAW) 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 MMAW process

1.1

The 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) is prepared for welding

2.

Manual metal 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 are 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 MMAW skills defined in unit MEM05046B Perform welds to code standards using manual metal arc welding process, to weld 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 MMAW of aircraft components or materials

identifying weld requirements from applicable documentation

selecting and correctly using items of PPE applicable to MMAW of aircraft components.

Evidence is required of the ability to produce manual metal 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.


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 MMAW

Components include:

Any aircraft component where MMAW 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