This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to diagnose and rectify faults in aviation navigation circuits and systems in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and national operating standards.

It includes diagnosing aviation navigation circuits and system faults, interpreting circuit diagrams, rectifying faults, conducting safety inspections and functional testing, and completing the necessary service documentation.

Permits may be required for some work environments, such as confined spaces, working aloft, near live electrical apparatus and site rehabilitation.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare to diagnose aviation navigation circuits and system faults

1.1

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and workplace procedures for a given work area are identified and applied

1.2

Aviation operational safety procedures for a given work area are obtained and applied

1.3

WHS/OHS risk control measures and workplace procedures are followed in preparation for aviation work activity

1.4

Safety hazards that have not previously been identified are documented on job safety assessments, risks assessed and control measures implemented in consultation with appropriate person/s

1.5

Extent of faults is determined from reports, circuit diagrams and other relevant documentation, and discussions with appropriate person/s

1.6

Appropriate person/s is consulted to ensure the work is coordinated effectively with others involved on the work site

1.7

Tools, equipment and testing devices needed to diagnose faults are obtained in accordance with workplace procedures and checked for correct operation and safety

2

Diagnose and rectify aviation navigation system faults

2.1

WHS/OHS risk control measures and workplace procedures for carrying out work activities are followed

2.2

Need to inspect, test or measure live work is determined in accordance with WHS/OHS requirements and, as required, conducted in accordance with workplace safety procedures

2.3

Circuits, machines and plant are checked and isolated in accordance with WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures

2.4

Logical diagnostic methods are applied to diagnose aviation navigation system faults, employing measurements and estimations of system operating parameters in accordance with system operational requirements

2.5

Suspected fault scenarios are tested as being the source of navigation system problems

2.6

Source of the fault is identified and competent person/s engaged to rectify the fault in accordance with workplace procedures

2.7

Faults in the electronic components of the system are rectified in accordance with navigation system operation standards

2.8

Aviation navigation system is inspected and tested to verify the system operates as intended and to specified requirements

2.9

Decisions for dealing with unplanned situations are made from discussions with appropriate person/s and job specifications and requirements

2.10

Unplanned situations are responded to in accordance with workplace procedures in a manner that minimises risk to personnel and equipment

2.11

Diagnosis and rectification activities are carried out efficiently without waste of materials or damage to apparatus, the surrounding environment or services using sustainable energy practices

3

Commission aviation navigation system

3.1

WHS/OHS risk control measures and procedures for carrying out the work are followed

3.2

Testing and measuring devices are connected and set up in accordance with job requirements and the particular air navigational system

3.3

Measuring instruments are set up and adjusted in accordance with transmission/reception requirements and equipment manufacturer instructions

3.4

Adjustments are made to provide optimum transmission/reception performance within regulatory requirements

3.5

Decisions for dealing with unplanned situations are made from discussions with appropriate person/s and job specifications and requirements

3.6

Unplanned situations are responded to in accordance with workplace procedures in a manner that minimises risk to personnel and equipment

3.7

Setting up is carried out efficiently without waste of materials or damage to apparatus, the surrounding environment or services using sustainable energy principles

4

Complete and report fault diagnosis and rectification activities

4.1

WHS/OHS work completion risk control measures and workplace procedures are followed

4.2

Worksite is made safe in accordance with workplace safety procedures

4.3

Rectification of faults is documented in accordance with workplace procedures

4.4

Appropriate person/s is notified in accordance with workplace procedures that the aviation navigation system faults have been rectified and recommission

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least one occasion and include:

applying logical diagnostic methods

using fault scenarios to test the source of system faults

identifying faults and competency needed to rectify them

rectifying faults in system electronics

verifying that the system operates correctly

documenting fault rectification

dealing with unplanned events

applying sustainable energy principles and practices

commissioning of air navigational system

completing and reporting fault diagnosis and rectification activities

implementing relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and workplace procedures and practices, including the use of risk control measures.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions and include knowledge of:

electronic communications - air navigation systems, including:

aviation navigation services and principles encompassing:

role of navigation aids in providing air traffic control (ATC) services

functions provided by navigational aids

Rho Theta concept in context of navigational aids used within aviation

relevant International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) (Annex 10) specifications

monitoring – equipment, status and pilot

principle of operation of the non-directional beacon (NDB) encompassing:

simple block diagram of an NDB

frequency band of operation

parameters ICAO requires to be monitored

typical radiation hazard issues

simple block diagram of the aircraft automatic direction finding (ADF) display

NDB used by pilots and ATC

principle of operation of the CVOR/DVOR encompassing:

simple block diagram of a CVOR labelling each part

basic principles of variable and reference information

radio frequency (RF) phasing and far field space modulation

frequency band of operation

features of a typical aircraft display

possible errors and their cause in a CVOR

typical CVOR and DVOR facilities

main differences of operation between CVOR and DVOR

principle of operation of the distance measuring equipment (DME) encompassing:

simple block diagram of a DME

typical timing diagram from interrogation to reply

features of aircraft display system

frequency band of operation

modes of operation

principle of operation of the instrument landing system (ILS):

frequency band of operation

simple diagram of the localiser antenna pattern marking on it the zero DDM line, the represented colour and modulating frequency of each lobe and the clearance signal

simple sketch showing the glide path and the location of the marker beacons listing their identification, frequency and duration

simple block diagram to show the generation of the carrier and sidebands and sideband only signals

ILS antenna arrays and far field radiation patterns

far field phasing and space modulation

terms DDM and SDM

performance requirements for CAT I, CAT II and CAT III ILS

principle of global navigation satellite system (GNSS):

basic principles of the wide area differential global positioning system (WADGPS)

basic principles of the local area differential global positioning system (LADGPS)

NDB technology and maintenance:

key functional modules of a contemporary NDB transmitter

function of the aerial coupling unit

radiation hazard issues, site restrictions and safety considerations in context of an NDB facility

signals in and out of the main components

key features and theory of operation of an NDB antenna (field pattern, capacity hat and ground plane)

hardware configurations of current models of NDB used in the National Airways System of Australia

indicators on NDB equipment that may be used to determine status and locate a fault

method(s) for conducting routine performance measurements on NDB equipment

process for removing an NDB from service

correct test equipment based on measurement tolerance and parameter being measured

correct use of selected test equipment

process for returning the aid to service

locate and identify appropriate NDB documentation (AEIs)

mandated flight check of an NDB

DME technology and maintenance:

key functional modules of a contemporary DME beacon

modes of operation and relevant channel spacing for the interrogation and reply of the beacon

purpose of the "squitter"

typical DME block diagram, the signal flow through the beacon from incoming interrogation to outgoing reply

function of each module in a contemporary DME

term "Gaussian shaped pulse" and why it is used

operation and purpose of the identification signal including test transmissions

definition of "dead time"

monitored parameters of a DME

controls and indicators

correct ON/OFF sequence

process for removing a DME from service

auto-recycle operation

typical function of the CTU for testing

typical alarm registers

measurement of parameters such as beacon delay, pulse spacing, pulse width, Ident, beacon sensitivity, selectivity, reply rate, dead time, frequency, monitor limits, antenna VSWR and using the correct test equipment

correct use of test equipment

correlate the measurements to the standard operating conditions (SOC)

maintenance actions that may be performed without the requirements of a flight inspection

flight calibration check of an DME

process for returning the aid to service

location and identification of appropriate DME documentation (AEIs)

CVOR technology and maintenance:

principles of operation of a VOR and how the component signals are generated in a contemporary CVOR beacon

basic operation and functionality of the transmitter, goniometer, modulation eliminator, monitor and antenna

typical monitored parameters for a CVOR

purpose of monitor bypass

correct use of test equipment and interpretation of results

measurement of performance parameters using the correct test equipment

correct use of test equipment

correlate the measurements to the SOC

maintenance actions that may be performed without the requirements of a flight inspection

maintenance actions that do require a flight inspection

importance of beacon accuracy

DVOR technology and maintenance:

principles of operation of a DVOR and how the component signals are generated in a contemporary DVOR beacon

basic operation and functionality of the modules used in the following sub-systems: carrier generation and modulation, timing sequence generation, sideband amplifier and modulator, sideband antenna commutation, monitor and controller

front panel indications under normal and fault conditions

operation and functionality of the following circuits: carrier amplifier and modulation (CGD, CPA, CDC and CMP), timing signals generation (TSD), reference phase generator (RPG), antenna switching (ASD and ADS), sideband generator (SGN, SMA and SCU), control unit (CTU), monitor unit (MRF, MSC, MFI, MBD and MSD)

typical monitored parameters for a DVOR

correct use of test equipment and interpretation of results

measurement of performance parameters using the correct test equipment

correct use of test equipment

correlate the measurements to the SOC

maintenance actions that may be performed without the requirements of a flight inspection

maintenance actions that do require a flight inspection

importance of beacon accuracy

ILS technology and maintenance:

ILS functional blocks and typical cabinet modules of a localiser and glide path (NM7000 series)

main functional elements of a contemporary marker beacon

location and function of modules and system interconnections: transmitter, changeover, monitor, transmitter controller, remote control, RMS/RMM and power

block diagram illustration at specified points, the signal flow out from the distribution side and/or return via the recombination side of a localiser and/or glide path

operation of a specified localiser antenna array

operation of an ‘M’-array or other specified glide path antenna array

the features and function of the RMM and/or RMS

performance requirements for CAT I, CAT II and CAT III ILS and how these are provisioned in the system hardware and monitoring

function of equipment indicators and controls, including the correct operation of controls to achieve a nominated function

typical monitored parameters for a localiser, glide path and marker beacon

correct use of test equipment (BITE and external) and interpretation of results

measurement of performance parameters using the correct test equipment

correct use of test equipment

correlate the measurements to the SOC

maintenance actions that may be performed without the requirements of a flight inspection

maintenance actions that do require a flight inspection

typical tests and maintenance actions required during a flight calibration of an ILS

relevant Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) national operating standards, workplace policies and procedures

relevant job safety assessments or risk mitigation processes

relevant WHS/OHS and CASA legislated requirements

relevant workplace documentation.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment

Assessment must occur in suitable workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated suitable workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry

resources that reflect current industry practices in relation to diagnosing and rectifying faults in air navigation systems

applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, equipment specifications, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Diagnosing and rectifying system faults in electronic air navigation systems must include at least the following:

four system faults in four of the following systems:

non-directional beacon (NDB)

very high frequency (VHF) omni directional radio range (VOR)

distance measuring equipment (DME)

instrument landing system (ILS)

global navigation satellite system (GNSS)

Electrotechnology

Electronics and Communications