List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. | Inspect aircraft structure | 1.1 | Relevant maintenance documentation is used to identify specific inspection requirements |
| | 1.2 | Appropriate preparation and access to the aircraft structure is undertaken to allow for proper inspection in accordance with maintenance documentation |
| | 1.3 | Aircraft structure is visually or physically checked for signs of deformation defects or damage in accordance with maintenance documentation and approved procedures 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) |
| | 1.4 | Damage or defects are assessed against damage or wear limits specified by structural repair manual or other approved data to determine if repair or replacement is required |
| | 1.5 | Maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures |
2. | Prepare to undertake repair | 2.1 | Extent of damage is correctly assessed to assist in determining repair procedure |
| | 2.2 | Appropriate repair scheme is identified in accordance with structural repair manual and/or approved data |
| | 2.3 | Specialist advice is obtained in establishing an approved repair scheme where a standard repair scheme cannot be identified or damage is out of limits |
| | 2.4 | All materials and equipment required are organised |
3. | Repair and maintain aircraft structure | 3.1 | Structural repairs are performed in accordance with approved repair scheme ensuring that aircraft standard practices are used and process requirements are carried out while observing all relevant WHS requirements, including the use of MSDS and items of PPE |
| | 3.2 | Preventative maintenance techniques are employed to preserve the integrity of aircraft structure |
| | 3.3 | Work area is cleaned of all waste material or contaminants |
| | 3.4 | Required maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures |
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 all relevant WHS procedures, including the use of MSDS and selection and use of applicable items of PPE
demonstrating appropriate cleaning procedures to enable structure inspection
demonstrating correct inspection procedures, in particular pressurised aircraft, in accordance with aircraft and procedures manuals
identifying damage to aircraft metallic (ferrous and non-ferrous) structures and/or components by way of impact, fatigue or the various types of corrosion
inspecting damage and assessing composite components/structures
identifying various aircraft metals and their basic properties
identifying composite materials used in aircraft construction, associated safety precautions and hazards
correctly interpreting repair scheme drawings, including third angle projection, isometric, sectional formats and hand sketches
using appropriate hand tools and machines, including riveting equipment, drilling equipment, aligning tools and material fasteners (grip pins)
applying correct removal, installation and repair techniques for:
a range of rivets (blind and solid) using hand, squeeze and pneumatic situations
a range of close tolerance fasteners (standard and oversize – hillocks and taper locks), including hole preparation
threaded devices, including internal and external thread cutting, Helicoil inserts and damaged stud replacement
hardware assembled by close tolerance fits using heat, cooling and force methods, including bearings, bushes and inserts
performing a range of metal structure and composite material repair techniques, including:
metal scab patch, flush, splice, lap and formed section repair
composite external patch, scarf and stepped repairs
bolted repairs to composite skin
metal to metal and metal to composite bonding
applying structural corrosion removal/treatment techniques
restoring aircraft structure sealing and surface finishes.
It is essential that the procedures take into account all aircraft and personal safety precautions relating to aircraft structure.
Evidence of transferability of skills and knowledge related to inspection, testing and repair of aircraft structure is essential. This shall be demonstrated through application across a number of different aircraft components as listed in the Assessment Conditions.
Ability to interpret inspection and repair procedures and specifications and apply them in practice is critical. The application of the procedures should also clearly indicate knowledge of structural flight loads and aerodynamic requirements.
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:
applicable WHS procedures, including the use of MSDS and PPE
construction methods and materials used in:
fuselage sections
wing sections
engine nacelles and mounts
windows and window frames
doors, locks and access panels in pressurised and non-pressurised aircraft
definition of structural terms, i.e. safe life, damage tolerant, failsafe, stress, strain, shear and cycles
inspection requirements for metal and composite structure, including:
ageing aircraft inspection requirements
safe life structure
damage tolerant structure
fail safe structure
potential causes of structural failure
NDT methods and application of the various techniques
construction methods of, and assessing common defects in, aircraft plastic transparencies
basic constructional features of, and assessing common defects in, glass windscreens
the various forms of structural corrosion, stating the causes and structural effects of corrosion on aircraft
the terms associated with composite materials
requirements for handling and storing aircraft metals and composite materials, including sealing agents, to industry standards
means of identifying aircraft structural assembly fasteners (metal and composite) by interpretation of markings, numbering systems, size, shape and colour
assessment of structural damage:
types and classes of mechanical damage
types of corrosion and determining the extent of damage
relevant documentation and manuals
damage limits and repair schemes for metallic and non-metallic structure
procedures for the fabrication and fitment of metal repairs:
scab patch
flush patch
splice
lap
formed section
corrosion removal and passivation
procedures for performing composite repairs:
external patch
scarf patch
stepped repairs
bolted repairs
repair of integral fuel tanks and sealing of faying surfaces, including specific WHS and PPE requirements
surface finishes and methods of restoration, including specific WHS and PPE requirements
how to obtain MSDS
relevant maintenance and structural repair manuals
relevant regulatory requirements and standard procedures.
Competency should be assessed in the work environment or simulated work environment using tools and equipment specified in maintenance documentation. It is also expected that general-purpose tools and test equipment found in most routine situations would be used where appropriate.
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 across the variables in the Range of Conditions as follows:
inspection and/or testing of at least one (1) item from each of:
non-ferrous and ferrous alloys and composite (FRP) materials used in aircraft construction
structural fastening and attachment hardware and/or devices
seals and sealants
glass and moulded plastics
application of NDT techniques
doors, hinges and locking mechanisms for damage/misalignment
inspections applicable to each of safe life, damage tolerant and fail safe structure relevant to enterprise
ageing aircraft inspection programs
recognition of each type of damage:
impact damage
fatigue cracking
corrosion
delamination of composites and bonded structures
one (1) repair task from each of the following groups:
remove corrosion by chemical and mechanical methods
restore protective coatings
apply sealants and jointing compounds
freehand precision hole generation
remove and install structural hardware and fastening devices
remove and replace bushes, bearings and bearing surfaces
metal scab patch, flush, splice, lap and formed section repair
composite external patch, scarf and stepped repairs.
This shall be established via the records in the Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement or, where applicable, 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).
Where the unit is to be used for CASA licensing purposes the Assessor must also meet the criteria specified in the CASR Part 147 Manual of Standards.
Individuals being assessed who have already attained MEA369 Inspect and maintain structures and related components of non-pressurised small aircraft, MEA370 Repair the structure of non-pressurised small aircraft and MEA371 Perform major repairs and modifications to small aircraft metal structure will have met the requirements of the Performance Criteria and Range of Conditions variables for Elements 1 to 3 for common variables.
Those who have attained MEA410 Maintain aircraft structure/components will have met the Performance Criteria and Range of Conditions variables requirements for Element 1.
The Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement records relating to the units listed above may be accepted as also meeting the evidence requirements for this unit in the applicable areas.