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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Inspect aircraft structure
  2. Maintain aircraft structure
  3. Remove components
  4. Install components

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.

Inspection of aircraft structure and removable components of structure include:

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

Preparation for application of non-destructive testing (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

Inspection after abnormal events

Damage or defects include:

Impact damage

Fatigue cracking

Corrosion

Delamination of composites and bonded structures

Minor repairs include:

Performing minor repair tasks classified as elementary maintenance, including:

repair of non-structural fairings, cover plates and cowlings

stop drilling of cracks and bonding to acrylic or Perspex windscreens

minor repairs to fabric surfaces

restoration of preservative or protective materials

Removable components include:

Those that are installed using bolts and/or screws. Where component removal and installation requires the removal and installation of rivets the applicable unit is MEA371 Perform major repairs and modifications to small aircraft structure

Components include:

Removable components of wings, tail booms, pylons, empennage, skids, fairings and nacelles

Removable components or sections of non-pressurised fuselages

Non-pressurised fuselage entry, cargo, access doors and associated seals, including checking and adjustment of all doors and access panels and associated locking mechanisms

Non-pressurised fuselage windows and transparent panels

Floor panels

Specialist advice is obtained from:

Supervisors

Specialist structures personnel

Maintenance documentation includes:

Servicing schedules

Maintenance manuals

Procedures and requirements include:

Industry standard procedures specified by manufacturers, regulatory authorities or the enterprise

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 all relevant WHS procedures, including the selection and use of MSDS and applicable items of PPE

demonstrating appropriate cleaning procedures to enable structure inspection

demonstrating correct inspection procedures 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

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

performing metal, composite and fabric repairs classified as elementary maintenance

restoring aircraft structure sealing and surface finishes

using relevant maintenance documentation and aircraft manuals to:

remove and install structural and non-structural components

remove and install aircraft interior fittings

remove and install doors, door seals, windows and transparent panels

checking and adjusting all doors and access panels, including locking mechanisms

removing and installing emergency equipment.

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 minor repair of aircraft structure other than primary structure is essential. This may be demonstrated through application across a number of aircraft structures or aircraft types. Ability to interpret inspection and minor repair procedures and apply them in practice is critical.

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:

applicable WHS procedures, including the use of PPE and MSDS

construction methods and materials used in:

fuselage sections

wing sections

engine nacelles and mounts

windows and window frames

doors, locks and access panels

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

inspection following abnormal events

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

aircraft fabric coverings and methods for performance of minor repairs classified as elementary maintenance

the various forms of structural corrosion, stating the causes and structural effects of corrosion on aircraft

the terms associated with composite materials and types of composite materials

non-structural component methods of attachment and faying surface treatment

non-pressurised fuselage aircraft doors, related seals and window and transparent panel attachment methods and sealing

aircraft interior fittings (trim, linings, seats and floor panels) construction and attachment methods

the location and attachment or stowage methods for emergency equipment

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

how to perform minor repairs to metal and composite structure that are classified as elementary maintenance

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.