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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Inspect piston engine system and components
   • Isolation tags already attached to the system or related systems are checked and aircraft/engine configured for safe system inspection and operation in accordance with applicable maintenance manual
   • Piston engine and/or components are visually or physically checked for external and internal signs of defects in accordance with applicable maintenance manual 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)
2. Test piston engine system
   • Aircraft and engine system are correctly prepared in accordance with applicable maintenance manual and connected to appropriate test equipment
   • Built-in system test functions and status displays are activated, where applicable, outputs recorded and interpreted
   • Assistance is provided with engine and/or system operation during prescribed test procedures to establish serviceability and correct function in accordance with applicable maintenance manual
3. Prepare for troubleshooting
   • Relevant maintenance documentation and modification status, including system defect reports, where relevant, are used to identify an unserviceability
4. Troubleshoot piston engine system
   • Available information from maintenance documentation and inspection and test results is used, where necessary, to assist in fault determination
   • Maintenance manual fault diagnosis guide and logical processes are used to ensure efficient and accurate troubleshooting to line replacement level
   • Specialist advice is obtained, where required, to assist with the troubleshooting process
   • Piston engine system faults are located and the causes of the faults are clearly identified and correctly recorded in maintenance documentation, where required
   • Fault rectification requirements are determined to assist in planning the repair

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.
Piston engines and engine systems include:	Engine (all types), main components and accessories/drives Control system, including full authority digital engine control (FADEC) (where FADEC is applicable to the enterprise) Ignition and starter systems Fuel, air systems and super/turbo chargers Oil system
Procedures and requirements include:	Industry standard procedures specified by manufacturers, regulatory authorities or the enterprise

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Performance Evidence

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 relevant WHS procedures, including the use of MSDS and PPE

using relevant maintenance documentation and aircraft manuals

through visual/physical inspection, recognising external and internal signs of defects in piston engines, components and system components

assisting with testing of piston engine and engine system operation, be able to operate systems, monitor indications, record parameters and recognise correct function

compiling engine condition monitoring records

rigging and adjusting engine controls and systems, including FADEC (where FADEC is applicable to the enterprise)

using fault diagnosis guides and equivalent data to accurately and efficiently troubleshoot the causes of unserviceabilities in piston engines and engine systems, clearly record details and identify the required rectification actions.

The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable across a range of inspection, testing and troubleshooting applications (including the timely involvement of supervisor or other trades) associated with engine systems. It is essential that system testing procedures take into account all safety precautions associated with piston engine system operation, and that awareness be demonstrated of dual inspection requirements associated with work on engine controls. Ability to interpret inspection procedures and specifications (allowable limits) and apply them in practice is critical.

This may be demonstrated through application across a number of engine system groups as listed in the Assessment Conditions. The application of testing procedures and functional rigging checks should also indicate knowledge of system operation.

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Knowledge Evidence

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:

WHS procedures associated with piston engine maintenance, including lifting and handling of heavy objects

how to obtain MSDS

use of PPE

fault diagnosis techniques

piston engine and engine system layout and operation:

four stroke engine theory of operation and performance

cylinder configurations

construction – components and materials

carburettors and air induction systems

fuel injection systems

fuels and their characteristics

ignition systems

lubricating systems and lubricants

cooling systems

exhaust systems

superchargers and turbochargers

accessory drives and mounts

controls and rigging of controls

FADEC systems

piston engine maintenance requirements and troubleshooting procedures including ground running of engines

system component operation, including electrical and instrument system interfaces:

magnetos and ignition harnesses

spark plugs

fuel pumps

fuel filters

oil pumps

oil filters

oil tanks

vacuum pumps and air pumps

generators

starter motors

oil pressure gauges (direct reading)

temperature gauges (direct reading)

tachometers

manifold pressure gauges

system and component maintenance requirements and troubleshooting procedures

relevant maintenance manuals

relevant regulatory requirements and standard procedures.

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