Application
This unit of competency covers the skills needed to contribute to the design of aircraft systems (mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic and fuel distribution and supply systems), including modifications. It includes performance of the design process within the requirements of airworthiness regulators and documentation of the design process within management systems, such as configuration management (CM) and integrated logistic support (ILS).
It is suitable for people working within aircraft design teams or in maintenance support engineering organisations and those pursuing careers and qualifications in aeronautical engineering at the paraprofessional level.
This unit is used in workplaces that operate under the airworthiness regulatory systems of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1. | Investigate requirements of aeronautical system design projects | 1.1 | Review the context and negotiate parameters of the engineering design brief in consultation with stakeholders |
1.2 | Determine engineering scientific principles and design techniques required for design process | ||
1.3 | Investigate life-cycle design and sustainability implications of aeronautical system design | ||
1.4 | Determine specification, documentation and graphical techniques required to define designs | ||
1.5 | Confirm work health and safety (WHS), regulatory requirements, codes of practice, standards, risk management and registration requirements relevant to aircraft system design project | ||
1.6 | Investigate the need for technical and professional assistance | ||
2. | Apply aeronautical system design techniques | 2.1 | Plan, schedule and coordinate the design task |
2.2 | Apply the design process and aeronautical scientific principles to component selection and design proposals | ||
2.3 | Create adequate and accurate calculations, preliminary graphics and maintain design process records | ||
2.4 | Evaluate multiple solutions against design criteria, risk, sustainability and cost | ||
2.5 | Select system components and hardware | ||
2.6 | Apply systems thinking to problem solving and decision making in dealing with contingencies and constraints for continuous improvement and development of design options | ||
2.7 | Incorporate professional and technical assistance as required | ||
2.8 | Apply specification, documentation and graphical techniques modelling, mock-up or prototyping techniques to define designs | ||
3. | Report results | 3.1 | Report results of investigations, application and development of design |
3.2 | Provide documentation and records generated in the design process | ||
3.3 | Provide draft documentation required by CM plan and/or ILS process, where applicable |
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 include:
communicating, negotiating and reviewing context and parameters of the engineering design brief with stakeholders
determining or confirming scientific principles and design techniques, WHS and regulatory requirements, and design specification requirements
evaluating multiple solutions against design criteria, risk, sustainability and cost
investigating life-cycle design and sustainability, technical and professional assistance required
investigating and applying CM and ILS requirements
planning, scheduling and coordinating the design task
applying design process and scientific principles to aircraft system design proposals, including modifications
solving problems and making decisions, with systems thinking, for contingencies and constraints, including airworthiness regulatory requirements and continuous improvement (may be requirements of CM and ILS)
defining designs, specifying, documenting and applying graphical techniques, modelling, mock-up or prototyping techniques
selecting system components to meet design specifications and standards
creating and maintaining adequate and accurate calculations and design process records
reporting and documenting results of investigations, application of principles and techniques, calculations, specifications, diagrams, computer-aided design (CAD) files, mock-ups or prototypes of designs
complying with regulatory procedures for design and modification approval.
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:
life-cycle design and sustainability implications of aircraft system designs
design processes and techniques to investigate, synthesise and develop proposals, evaluate feasibility against design criteria, review and revise in consultation with stakeholders, model, mock-up and prototype
systems approach, problem solving and decision making, and continuous improvement methods
application of CM and ILS procedures
WHS and regulatory requirements, codes of practice, standards, risk management and registration requirements
professional and technical assistance for engineering specialisations
procedures for planning, scheduling and coordination of design
component and hardware requirements of typical aircraft systems
engineering scientific principles required for design analysis
design calculations techniques
software for product planning and design, such as CAD, systems design and project management
required documentation, such as:
design brief and records of negotiation
planning and schedule
calculations and diagrams documentation for checking and design records
specifications and graphics required to define designs
risk analysis report
design process summary report
life cycle and sustainability reports
CM and ILS documentation
documentation required by Regulators for approval of designs and modifications
prototyping options, including mock-ups, physical and virtual modelling, rapid prototyping.
Assessment Conditions
This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, that is, the candidate is not in productive work, then a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure its correct interpretation and application.
Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:
communicate, negotiate and review design brief with stakeholders
determine or confirm scientific principles and design techniques, WHS and regulatory requirements, and design specification requirements
evaluate multiple solutions
apply CM and ILS requirements
investigate life-cycle design and sustainability, technical and professional assistance required
plan, schedule and coordinate the design task
select design components using design process and scientific principles
solve problems and make decisions with systems thinking for contingencies and constraints and continuous improvement
define designs, specify and document and apply graphical techniques, modelling, mock-up or prototyping techniques
create and maintain adequate and accurate calculations and design process records
report and document, results and processes
follow regulatory requirements and procedures for design, modification or repair procedures.
Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.
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. | ||
Aeronautical engineering refers to: | The engineering discipline concerned with the conceptual development, research, design, manufacture, implementation, installation, commissioning and maintenance of aerospace structure, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel and fire products, processes, systems or services for civil and military applications. | |
Aircraft systems include: | Mechanical systems Hydraulic systems Pneumatic systems Fuel distribution and supply systems Electrical and electronic system control interfaces | |
Context of engineering design activity includes: | Competitive market Geo political factors, such as access to materials and markets Technological advantage/disadvantage Resources supply: materials, labour and skills Sustainability issues relevant to design task, including social, economic and environmental considerations material and energy resources WHS, risk, and applicable standards and code requirements Regulatory requirements and procedures associated with design and modification of aircraft systems | |
Planning processes include: | Establishing design parameters and design criteria Contributing to the negotiation and advice process Preliminary planning, design investigations and costing Identifying design, development, prototyping activities and skills requirements Planning and scheduling design activities Improving, adjusting, rescheduling as required by emergency contingencies and constraints | |
Design process includes: | Establishing design parameters and criteria Researching, measuring, experimenting and investigating Generating ideas Synthesis, problem solving and decision making, addressing constraints Applying scientific principles, calculation and graphics, prototyping and mock-up techniques Evaluating solutions against design criteria Consultation, adjustments and agreement Finalise design and sign-off | |
Design criteria includes: | Regulatory requirements and associated standards Function Aesthetics Selection of system components Manufacturability, maintainability Marketability Sustainability: social, economic and environmental material and energy resources cost constraints Ergonomics and anthropometrics and physiology Facilities, plant and skills available Safety and risk | |
Design analysis includes: | System layout and selection of control media Integration of components into the system System and components performance against specified standards/specifications and regulatory requirements System/component reliability and maintainability against specified standards/specifications and regulatory requirements Graphical and mathematical methods and software options | |
Configuration management (CM) | CM is a process for control and documentation of the design and development process and for the management of system, component and software throughout the service life. | |
Integrated logistic support (ILS) | ILS is an integrated approach to the management of logistic disciplines originally developed for the management of military systems from design concept to final disposal at life-of-type. It covers: reliability engineering, maintainability engineering and maintenance planning supply and support support and test equipment manpower and personnel training and training support technical data and publications computer resources support facilities packaging, handling, storage and transportation design interface | |
Sustainability considerations include: | Resources and energy required for design: Life-cycle design of product (manufacture to remanufacture or recycle) Environmental considerations in manufacturing and operation of design: raw material, solids and hazardous waste, and production by-products potential contamination of land, air and stormwater pollutants, and discharge to sewerage carbon pollution and reduction effects | |
Prototyping includes: | Any combination of: mock-ups physical and virtual modelling with post-processing for computer-numerically controlled (CNC) and rapid prototyping | |
Systems thinking includes: | The process of developing solutions within the context of an entire system Recognising that an improvement in one subsystem can adversely affect another subsystem | |
Appropriate technical and professional assistance includes: | Assistance from individuals with CASA maintenance certification licences or those with supervisory authorisations in the ADF regulatory system Professional support from engineers employed within: organisations with CASA design, continuing airworthiness management or maintenance approvals approved engineering organisations under the ADF regulatory system Engineers employed within organisations recognised by overseas airworthiness organisations | |
WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures include: | WHS Acts and regulations Relevant standards Industry codes of practice Risk assessments Registration requirements Safe work practices State and territory regulatory requirements applying to electrical work Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASRs) AAP7001 .053 ADF Technical Airworthiness Management Manual Overseas airworthiness authorities, where applicable, e.g. Federal Aviation Administration, Transport Canada, European Aviation Safety Agency | |
Relevant standards include: | AS 1100.101-1992 Technical drawing – General principles AS 4024.1-2006 Series Safety of machinery AS/NZS ISO 31000 Set:2013 Risk Management Set British Defence Standard 00-970 Design and Airworthiness Requirements for Service Aircraft US Military Specifications and Standards relevant to aircraft design ADF AAP7001 .054 Airworthiness Design Requirements Manual FAR Part 23 Airworthiness Standards for Airplanes in the Normal, Utility, Aerobatic or Commuter Categories FAR Part 25 Airworthiness Standards for Airplanes in the Transport Category EASA CS-23 Certification Specifications for Aeroplanes in the Normal, Utility, Aerobatic or Commuter Categories EASA CS-25 Certification Specifications for Airplanes in the Transport Category CASA AC 21-99 Aircraft Wiring and Bonding FAA AC 43-13-1B Acceptable Methods, Techniques and Practices – Aircraft Inspection and Repair AC21-15(1) Supplemental Type Certificates AC21.16(0) Approval of Materials, Parts, Processes and Appliances AC21.14 Production Certificates AC21.20 Production Under a Type Certificate Only AC21.27 Manufacturing Approval – Overview AC21.145(0) Manufacture of Parts During the Course of Maintenance AC21-601(0) Australian Technical Standard Order CAAP35 -7(0) Design Approval of Modifications and Repairs |
Sectors
Competency Field
Aeronautical engineering