Assessor Resource

MEA341
Apply basic aircraft design characteristics

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit of competency requires application of basic knowledge of aerodynamic shape and structural methods for aeroplanes and rotary wing aircraft.

The unit is part of Diploma and Advanced Diploma 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).

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

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.

Research and evaluate aeroplane aerodynamic shape

1.1

Common wing plan forms are identified and relative advantages and disadvantages are evaluated

1.2

Common wing configurations are identified and relative advantages and disadvantages are identified

1.3

Aerofoil characteristics are discussed in terms of aircraft performance

1.4

Aeroplane stability and control is discussed in terms of aerodynamic design

1.5

Types of primary and secondary flight control surfaces are identified and control balancing is discussed

1.6

Types of lift augmentation device are identified and compared

1.7

Factors that affect an aircraft in subsonic and high speed flight are identified

2.

Research and evaluate rotary wing aerodynamic design

2.1

Common rotor configurations are identified and discuss their aerodynamic characteristics discussed

2.2

Rotary wing aircraft control and stability are discussed

3.

Research and evaluate basic aircraft structural design

3.1

The loads acting on an aircraft structure are identified

3.2

The methods of construction of airframes and power plant support structures are identified and compared

3.3

The materials of construction commonly used in aircraft structures are identified and their relative advantages and disadvantages discussed

3.4

Fabrication methods commonly used in aircraft structure are identified and discussed

3.5

Maintenance requirements for aircraft structure are identified

4.

Research and evaluate basic landing gear design and construction

4.1

The configurations of landing gear are identified and discussed in terms of relative advantages and disadvantages

4.2

The relative benefits of fixed and retractable landing gear are identified and discussed

4.3

Construction materials used in landing gear components are identified and discussed

5.

Apply basic aircraft design characteristics

5.1

Given required aircraft use and performance characteristics an appropriate aerodynamic shape is determined

5.2

An appropriate method of construction, materials of construction and fabrication method are proposed

5.3

An appropriate landing gear configuration is proposed

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:

identifying the effects of aerodynamic shape and types of flight controls on aircraft performance, stability and control

identifying the influence of rotor design on rotary wing aircraft stability and control

identifying the loads acting on aircraft structure, types of structure and related maintenance requirements

identifying the types and designs of landing gear and their applications.

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:

theory of flight, including rotary wing

loads acting on aircraft structures and structural fatigue, including rotary wing

aircraft design characteristics, including rotary wing

types of aircraft structure

methods of aircraft construction

materials of construction

structural maintenance requirements

use of non-destructive testing (NDT) in structural maintenance

basic landing gear design characteristics

use of ultra-high strength steels in landing gear design and related maintenance requirements.

This unit may be assessed off the job in a training environment equipped to provide exposure to the relevant aircraft design characteristics and to theory of flight.

The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required and must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials. The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate.

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently perform all elements of the unit as specified by the criteria, including required knowledge, and be capable of applying the competency in new and different situations and contexts.

Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways including direct observation, teacher’s reports, project work, samples and questioning. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Assessors must satisfy the requirements of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Australian Skills Quality Authority, or its successors).

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1.

Research and evaluate aeroplane aerodynamic shape

1.1

Common wing plan forms are identified and relative advantages and disadvantages are evaluated

1.2

Common wing configurations are identified and relative advantages and disadvantages are identified

1.3

Aerofoil characteristics are discussed in terms of aircraft performance

1.4

Aeroplane stability and control is discussed in terms of aerodynamic design

1.5

Types of primary and secondary flight control surfaces are identified and control balancing is discussed

1.6

Types of lift augmentation device are identified and compared

1.7

Factors that affect an aircraft in subsonic and high speed flight are identified

2.

Research and evaluate rotary wing aerodynamic design

2.1

Common rotor configurations are identified and discuss their aerodynamic characteristics discussed

2.2

Rotary wing aircraft control and stability are discussed

3.

Research and evaluate basic aircraft structural design

3.1

The loads acting on an aircraft structure are identified

3.2

The methods of construction of airframes and power plant support structures are identified and compared

3.3

The materials of construction commonly used in aircraft structures are identified and their relative advantages and disadvantages discussed

3.4

Fabrication methods commonly used in aircraft structure are identified and discussed

3.5

Maintenance requirements for aircraft structure are identified

4.

Research and evaluate basic landing gear design and construction

4.1

The configurations of landing gear are identified and discussed in terms of relative advantages and disadvantages

4.2

The relative benefits of fixed and retractable landing gear are identified and discussed

4.3

Construction materials used in landing gear components are identified and discussed

5.

Apply basic aircraft design characteristics

5.1

Given required aircraft use and performance characteristics an appropriate aerodynamic shape is determined

5.2

An appropriate method of construction, materials of construction and fabrication method are proposed

5.3

An appropriate landing gear configuration is proposed

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.

Common wing plan forms include:

Straight

Tapered

Swept

Delta

Variable geometry

Canard

Common wing configurations include:

Mid-wing

Low wing

High wing

Common rotor configurations include:

Main rotor and tail rotor

Two main rotors

Two blade main rotor

Multiple blade main rotor

Hinged main rotor blades

Rigid rotor

Configurations of landing gear include:

Tricycle

Tail wheel

Tail skid

Floats

Skis

Helicopter skids

Helicopter wheels and brakes

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:

identifying the effects of aerodynamic shape and types of flight controls on aircraft performance, stability and control

identifying the influence of rotor design on rotary wing aircraft stability and control

identifying the loads acting on aircraft structure, types of structure and related maintenance requirements

identifying the types and designs of landing gear and their applications.

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:

theory of flight, including rotary wing

loads acting on aircraft structures and structural fatigue, including rotary wing

aircraft design characteristics, including rotary wing

types of aircraft structure

methods of aircraft construction

materials of construction

structural maintenance requirements

use of non-destructive testing (NDT) in structural maintenance

basic landing gear design characteristics

use of ultra-high strength steels in landing gear design and related maintenance requirements.

This unit may be assessed off the job in a training environment equipped to provide exposure to the relevant aircraft design characteristics and to theory of flight.

The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required and must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials. The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate.

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently perform all elements of the unit as specified by the criteria, including required knowledge, and be capable of applying the competency in new and different situations and contexts.

Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways including direct observation, teacher’s reports, project work, samples and questioning. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Assessors must satisfy the requirements of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Australian Skills Quality Authority, or its successors).
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Common wing plan forms are identified and relative advantages and disadvantages are evaluated 
Common wing configurations are identified and relative advantages and disadvantages are identified 
Aerofoil characteristics are discussed in terms of aircraft performance 
Aeroplane stability and control is discussed in terms of aerodynamic design 
Types of primary and secondary flight control surfaces are identified and control balancing is discussed 
Types of lift augmentation device are identified and compared 
Factors that affect an aircraft in subsonic and high speed flight are identified 
Common rotor configurations are identified and discuss their aerodynamic characteristics discussed 
Rotary wing aircraft control and stability are discussed 
The loads acting on an aircraft structure are identified 
The methods of construction of airframes and power plant support structures are identified and compared 
The materials of construction commonly used in aircraft structures are identified and their relative advantages and disadvantages discussed 
Fabrication methods commonly used in aircraft structure are identified and discussed 
Maintenance requirements for aircraft structure are identified 
The configurations of landing gear are identified and discussed in terms of relative advantages and disadvantages 
The relative benefits of fixed and retractable landing gear are identified and discussed 
Construction materials used in landing gear components are identified and discussed 
Given required aircraft use and performance characteristics an appropriate aerodynamic shape is determined 
An appropriate method of construction, materials of construction and fabrication method are proposed 
An appropriate landing gear configuration is proposed 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MEA341 - Apply basic aircraft design characteristics
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

MEA341 - Apply basic aircraft design characteristics

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: