This unit of competency requires application of skills and knowledge relating to the manufacture, repair and alteration of aircraft and support equipment fabric components. Manufacture and alteration may be to existing designs or may also involve design. Repair may involve sewing and/or the use of adhesives.

The unit applies to a range of aircraft environmental protection sets, aircraft life support equipment components, aircraft soft furnishings and associated trimming, aircrew personal fit and associated life support equipment, and to ground support equipment covers.

The unit is part of the Aeroskills Life Support and Furnishing Certificate III and IV training pathways. 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 WHS practices relating to fabric component manufacture, repair and alteration, including the selection and correct use of PPE, where applicable

handling, storing and organising transport of equipment

using MSDS

using maintenance publications, drawings and documentation relating to fabric component manufacture, repair and alterations

applying basic sewing techniques associated with the manufacture, repair and alteration of aircraft fabric components

using hand sewing techniques

using basic drawing tools

calculating dimension and allowable dimension variations

completing measurements and estimating fabric requirements and other material requirements

using pre-checking and inspection techniques to anticipate cutting problems and to avoid reworking and wastage

using relevant hand and power tools

using the limited workplace technology related to cutting, including tools, equipment, calculators and measuring devices

cleaning and maintenance of equipment and tools.

The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable across a range of aircraft life support equipment maintenance activities. It is essential that fabric component manufacture, repair and alteration procedures and safety precautions are fully observed, understood and complied with. Ability to interpret fabric component requirements and apply them in practice is critical.

This is to be demonstrated through demonstration of the ability to perform appropriate manufacturing, repair and alteration tasks that are within the bounds of the individual’s authority.

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:

relevant regulations, standards, enterprise procedures and maintenance publications

WHS procedures relating to fabric component manufacture, repair and alteration, including the selection and use of PPE

how to obtain MSDS

basic sewing techniques using AS 2860-1986 Textiles – stitch types – classification and terminology

construction principles of fabric components

cutting equipment and techniques

design features of finished items

fabric types, common faults and inspection procedures

impact of cutting on fabrics

geometric drawing processes and techniques

reading and interpreting specifications

types of corrosion and contamination that may affect aircraft fabric components.

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.

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 the following tasks:

recognising the limits of own authority

correctly manufacture three fabric components from technical instructions using machine sewing and at least one other assembly method (hand sew, press fit, adhere or staple)

recognising at least three faults and identifying limits of repair for the fabric components

altering a fabric component to meet customer requirements.

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.

Aircraft life support