This unit requires application of skills and knowledge relating to the maintenance and packing of parachutes. Maintenance involves inspection, testing, fault diagnosis, replacement of parts, completion of repairs and cleaning.

The unit applies to person carrying parachutes including emergency and ejection parachutes. It also applies to ballistic parachutes used for the recovery of light aircraft.

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

MEA511A

Operate and maintain sewing machines and overlockers

LMFSF2002B

Machine sew materials

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Maintain parachute

1.1. Parachute is inspected for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures.

1.2. Parachute is tested for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures and manufacturer's specifications.

1.3. Identified faults beyond own authority to rectify are reported to supervisor and faulty parachute is quarantined.

1.4. Unserviceable parts of the parachute are replaced to render parachute serviceable in accordance with standard procedures.

1.5. Basic parachute repairs are completed in accordance with standard procedures.

1.6. Parachute is cleaned in accordance with standard procedures

1.7. Parachute is presented for inspection by supervisor in accordance with standard procedures.

1.8. Maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures.

2. Pack parachute

2.1. Parachute is packed for use in accordance with standard procedures.

2.2. Parachute is presented for inspection by supervisor in accordance with standard enterprise procedures.

2.3. Relevant documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures.

Required skills

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

Application of occupational health and safety (OHS) practices relating to parachute maintenance processes, including the selection and correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) where applicable

Handling, storing and organising transport of equipment

Delivering briefings to personnel in relation to operating parachutes

Use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Use of maintenance publications, drawings and documentation relating to parachute maintenance

The use of applicable testing and measuring equipment, tools and maintenance documentation to:

test parachutes for serviceability

replace unserviceable components in accordance with approved procedures

select and use appropriate parachute cleaning materials

repair parachutes (both hand and machine sewing)

Cleaning and maintenance of equipment and tools

Required knowledge

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge of:

Relevant regulations, standards, enterprise procedures and maintenance publications

OHS procedures relating to parachute maintenance including the selection and use of PPE

How to obtain MSDS

Critical nature of maintaining and packing parachutes, i.e. risk of death

Approved cleaning methods for aviation life support equipment

Components of a parachute and their function

Parachute assembly materials of construction

Environmental conditions that may affect parachutes and parachute assemblies including ultraviolet degradation

Types of corrosion and contamination that may affect parachute assemblies

Handling, storage and transit procedures relating to parachutes

Physiological effects of flight

Sequence of ejection

Operation of person carrying parachutes

Operation of ballistic parachutes in aircraft recovery

Purpose of different types of canopies

Modification requirements for parachutes

Requirements for a parachute servicing facility

Operation of testing and measuring equipment and tools used to maintain parachutes

Repair limitations for parachutes

Packing tools and measuring equipment required to pack parachutes

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 maintain and pack parachutes while observing all relevant safety precautions.

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 aircraft life support equipment maintenance activities. It is essential that parachute testing and inspection procedures, cleanliness requirements and safety precautions are fully observed, understood and complied with. Ability to interpret maintenance and packing procedures and apply them in practice is critical.

Evidence of transferability of skills and knowledge related to parachute maintenance and packing is essential. This is to be demonstrated through demonstration of the ability to recognise faults, replace components and perform appropriate repairs that are within the bounds of the individual's authority, and through the demonstration of correct packing procedures. 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 the following range of tasks:

Correctly packing a minimum of three parachutes consecutively and without the need for corrective action by the supervisor

Recognising the limits of own authority

Replacing canopy/harness including line sequence tests

Correctly repairing a tear in parachute canopy material through patching

Inspecting, testing and replacing unserviceable parts of a quick release fitting

Recognising a range of faults and their serviceability limits and repairing within limitations/tolerances.

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

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.

Standard procedures

Standard procedures may be found in any or all of:

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

Australian Standards

equipment manufacturers' specifications, and procedures

industry practices

safety manual

maintenance schedules

work instructions

maintenance organisation manual

MSDS

defence regulations and instructions

civil aviation safety regulations and advisory material

standing instructions

Faults

Faults may include:

broken stitching

broken quick release fitting springs

contamination

corrosion of metal parts

damaged hardware

damaged quick release fitting screws

excessive wear

expired parachute components

frayed lines

incorrect manufacture

pulled threads

incorrect rigging line sequence

seized quick release fitting lugs

stretched lines

tears in parachute

ultraviolet degradation

Parts of the parachute

Parts of the parachute may include:

canopy

hardware (e.g. buckles, eyelets, connector links)

harness

parachute housing (e.g. pack)

quick release fitting

rigging lines

Basic parachute repairs

Basic parachute repairs may include:

broken stitching

corrosion (e.g. fittings)

damaged hardware

frayed lines

pulled threads

tears in parachute

Application of this unit may relate to:

scheduled or unscheduled maintenance activities

individual or team related activities

Unit sector

Aircraft life support

MEA118A

Conduct self in the aviation maintenance environment

This unit contains employability skills.