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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 components/systems 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
   • Aircraft and engine are correctly prepared in accordance with applicable maintenance manual
   • 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. Troubleshoot piston engine
   • 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 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
4. Remove piston engine and engine system components
   • Aircraft is prepared and supported and rendered safe in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual and isolation tags are fitted, where necessary, to ensure the safety of personnel and freedom from damage during engine removal
   • Removal is carried out in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual while observing all relevant WHS requirements, including the use of MSDS and items of PPE
   • Engine is tagged and prepared for transport or storage in accordance with the specified procedures
   • Required maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures
5. Install piston engine and engine system components
   • Engine to be installed is checked to confirm correct part or model numbers, modification status and serviceability
   • Installation is carried out in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual
   • Support/safety equipment is removed at the appropriate time to ensure personnel safety and freedom from structural damage
   • Required maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures
6. Inspect and maintain fixed pitch propeller
   • Engine is rendered safe for propeller inspection in accordance with maintenance manual or enterprise procedures
   • Fixed pitch propeller is inspected for security, damage and deterioration in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual while observing all relevant WHS requirements, including the use of MSDS and items of PPE
   • Metal propeller nicks and dents within damage limits are blended out in accordance with maintenance manual procedures
7. Remove fixed pitch propeller
   • Engine is rendered safe and the aircraft is prepared for propeller removal in accordance with maintenance manual or enterprise procedures
   • Propeller is removed in accordance with maintenance manual procedures while observing all relevant WHS requirements, including the use of MSDS and items of PPE
   • Removed propeller is tagged and prepared for transport or storage in accordance with specified procedures
   • Required maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures
8. Install fixed pitch propeller
   • Engine is rendered safe and the aircraft is prepared for propeller installation in accordance with maintenance manual or enterprise procedures
   • Propeller to be installed is checked to confirm correct part or number, modification status and serviceability
   • Installation is carried out in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual
   • Required maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

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 components/systems include:	Normally aspirated engine (all types), main components and accessories/drives Control system Starter system Fuel and air systems Exhaust system Oil system (if dry sump) (where applicable to the enterprise)
Engine and/or system operation includes:	Testing of engines fitted to helicopters (where auxiliary drive is not available) shall be carried out through the applicant directing a pilot qualified on type
Fixed pitch propellers:	Fixed pitch propeller may include a spinner and the propeller will be made from: metal composite wood
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

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

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

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

correctly removing and installing piston engine, engine components and fixed pitch propellers, including spinners

inspecting propellers for security, damage and deterioration

blending out metal propeller nicks and dents that are within maintenance manual limits.

The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable across a range of inspection, testing, troubleshooting and removal and installation tasks (including the timely involvement of supervisor or other trades) associated with engines, engine systems and fixed pitch propellers. 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.

This shall be demonstrated through application across a number of engine systems or types and propellers made from different materials. Ability to interpret inspection procedures and specifications (allowable limits) and apply them in practice is critical. 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 engine and propeller maintenance, including lifting and handling of heavy objects

how to obtain MSDS

use of PPE

relevant maintenance manuals

relevant regulatory requirements and standard procedures

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

accessory drives and mounts

normally aspirated piston engine maintenance requirements and troubleshooting procedures

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

generators

starter motors

oil pressure gauges (direct reading)

temperature gauges (direct reading)

tachometers

manifold pressure gauges

maintenance requirements and troubleshooting procedures

removal and installation procedures for piston engines and engine components:

removal procedures and handling

control linkages

electrical wiring

engine instrument connections

installation and rigging

ground running

system component removal, installation and system testing

propellers, materials and damage and deterioration criteria:

fixed pitch propeller types, terminology and theory:

tractor/pusher

matching to engine and aircraft

leading edge/trailing edge

blade stations

forces acting on a propeller

propeller balance

materials and construction methods:

metal propeller metals, construction and surface protection

wooden propeller materials, construction and surface protection

composite propeller materials, construction and surface protection

damage and deterioration

methods of blending out of minor damage to metal propellers

propeller removal and installation procedures.

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