Overview of assessment

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to apply scientific principles and techniques in avionic engineering situations. Competency in this unit cannot be claimed until all prerequisites have been satisfied.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

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, supervisor’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.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

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 an appropriate simulation 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. The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate.

The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required. The candidate must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials.

Method of assessment

This unit could be assessed in conjunction with any other units addressing the safety, quality, communication, materials handling, recording and reporting associated with applying scientific principles and techniques in avionic engineering situations or other units requiring the exercise of the skills and knowledge covered by this unit.

Guidance information for assessment

Required knowledge includes:

physics:

linear kinematics

planar kinematics

Newton’s Laws of Motion

friction

momentum and center of gravity

gravity

circular motion

orbital motion

rotational motion

oscillation

electronic fundamentals:

determination of required values and characteristics for:

resistors, including light and voltage dependent resistors

capacitors

inductors

transformers

diodes

transistors

power amplifiers

oscillators

silicon controlled rectifiers

thyristor power control circuits

opto-couplers

selection of appropriate test equipment

digital electronics:

clocked sequential circuits

registers

oscillators

timers

interfacing circuits

program logic array

state machines

data communications:

selection of data transmission methods

universal asynchronous receiver transmitter construction

multiplexers and demultiplexers

data encryption/decryption theory

aerodynamics:

drag and speed

power/thrust available and power/thrust required

manoeuvring flight

stability and control

strength of materials:

bending and shear in beams

forces in trusses and frames

engineering concepts of stress and strain

properties of areas

torsion

mechanical properties of materials

two dimensional stress and strain, including elastic constants

computer software/programming:

high level languages

algorithm design and testing

Pascal and Turbo-Pascal programming

limitations of avionic techniques and associated technologies, software and hardware

the procedure for ensuring coherent units for meaningful solutions to equations

the concept of significant figures

the uncertainty of computations based on experimental data

procedures for determining the significance of figures in calculations

procedures for estimating errors in derived quantities

the method of application of the avionic techniques and associated technologies, software and hardware

the significance of the calculation solution style in relation to the original task

the significance of the non calculation solution style in relation to the original task

Required skills include:

applying advanced scientific principles relevant to avionic engineering

analysing the given situation to determine what is required in the manner of a solution

analysing the given situation to determine which avionic scientific principles are selected

selecting appropriate avionic techniques and associated technologies, software and hardware to suit the application/s

applying appropriate avionic principles in determining the required solution

applying and manipulating formulas and calculations for engineering applications

using the correct units to solve engineering calculations

checking the validity of equations using a systematic method for ensuring coherent units

applying avionic techniques and associated technologies, software and hardware in a manner appropriate to the application and identified scientific principles

referring solutions to the original aim of the application

quoting solutions in appropriate units and using appropriate significant figures

presenting solutions referring to the original aim of the application

Avionic engineering

Avionic engineering refers to:

the engineering discipline concerned with the conceptual development, research, design, manufacture, implementation, installation, commissioning and maintenance of aerospace electrical, instrument, radio and electronic systems and components and related test equipment for civil and military applications

Sources of information

Sources of information includes:

reference texts

manufacturer catalogues and industrial magazines

websites

use of phone, email and fax information gathering

Avionic engineering applications

Avionic engineering applications refer to:

the description or definition of an objective or challenge within a real or simulated engineering environment or state requiring a conceptual development, design, manufacture and/or implementation and/or installation, commissioning and maintenance response to affect a solution or improvement with regard to:

electrical systems and related wiring and components (power generation, distribution, control interfaces with hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and caution and warning systems)

mechanical and electro-mechanical flight instruments and indication systems (quantity, pressure, temperature, position) and components

electronic systems and components (communications, radio navigation, pulse, display, automatic flight control, flight management, and engine management)

automatic test stations, adapters and software