Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

MEA505 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Maintain and pack parachutes

Version 1.0
Issue Date: June 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency MEA505 - Maintain and pack parachutes
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency requires application of skills and knowledge relating to the maintenance and packing of parachutes. Maintenance involves inspection, testing, fault diagnosis, replacement of parts, completion of repairs and cleaning during the performance of scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. Maintenance may be performed individually or as part of a team.The unit applies to person carrying parachutes, including emergency and ejection parachutes. It also applies to ballistic parachutes used for the recovery of light aircraft.This unit is part of the Aeroskills Life Support and Furnishing Certificate III and IV training pathways. The unit is used in workplaces that operate under the airworthiness regulatory systems of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace using materials, tools and equipment specified in the maintenance manuals and applicable procedures. It is also expected that general and special-purpose tools and ground support equipment would be used where appropriate.

The work plan should take account of applicable safety and quality requirements in accordance with the industry and regulatory standards.

The following conditions of assessment represent the requirements of the Regulators (ADF and CASA) and maintenance stakeholders and must be rigorously observed.

A person cannot be assessed as competent until it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the workplace assessor that the relevant elements and performance criteria of the unit of competency are being achieved under routine supervision on the following range of tasks:

correctly packing a minimum of three (3) parachutes consecutively and without the need for corrective action by the supervisor

recognising the limits of own authority

replacing canopy/harness, including line sequence tests

correctly repairing a tear in parachute canopy material through patching

inspecting, testing and replacing unserviceable parts of a quick release fitting

recognising a range of faults and their serviceability limits and repairing within limitations/tolerances.

This shall be established via the records in the Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement or, where appropriate, an equivalent Industry Evidence Guide (for details refer to the Companion Volume Assessment Guidelines).

Assessors must satisfy the requirements of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Australian Skills Quality Authority, or its successors).
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Aircraft life support
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Maintain parachute
  • Parachute is inspected for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures
  • Parachute is tested for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures and manufacturer’s specifications
  • Identified faults beyond own authority to rectify are reported to supervisor and faulty parachute is quarantined
  • Unserviceable parts of the parachute are replaced to render parachute serviceable in accordance with standard procedures 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)
  • Basic parachute repairs are completed in accordance with standard procedures
  • Parachute is cleaned in accordance with standard procedures
  • Parachute is presented for inspection by supervisor in accordance with standard procedures
  • Maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures
       
Element: Pack parachute
  • Parachute is packed for use in accordance with standard procedures
  • Parachute is presented for inspection by supervisor in accordance with standard enterprise procedures
  • Relevant documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures
       


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.

Maintain parachute

1.1

Parachute is inspected for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures

1.2

Parachute is tested for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures and manufacturer’s specifications

1.3

Identified faults beyond own authority to rectify are reported to supervisor and faulty parachute is quarantined

1.4

Unserviceable parts of the parachute are replaced to render parachute serviceable in accordance with standard procedures 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)

1.5

Basic parachute repairs are completed in accordance with standard procedures

1.6

Parachute is cleaned in accordance with standard procedures

1.7

Parachute is presented for inspection by supervisor in accordance with standard procedures

1.8

Maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

2.

Pack parachute

2.1

Parachute is packed for use in accordance with standard procedures

2.2

Parachute is presented for inspection by supervisor in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

2.3

Relevant documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

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 WHS practices relating to parachute maintenance processes, including the selection and correct use of PPE, where applicable

handling, storing and organising transport of equipment

delivering briefings to personnel in relation to operating parachutes

using MSDS

using maintenance publications, drawings and documentation relating to parachute maintenance

using applicable testing and measuring equipment, tools and maintenance documentation to:

test parachutes for serviceability

replace unserviceable components in accordance with approved procedures

select and use appropriate parachute cleaning materials

repair parachutes (both hand and machine sewing)

cleaning and maintenance of equipment and tools.

The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable across a range of aircraft life support equipment maintenance activities. It is essential that parachute testing and inspection procedures, cleanliness requirements and safety precautions are fully observed, understood and complied with. Ability to interpret maintenance and packing procedures and apply them in practice is critical.

This is to be demonstrated through demonstration of the ability to recognise faults, replace components and perform appropriate repairs that are within the bounds of the individual’s authority, and through the demonstration of correct packing procedures.

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:

relevant regulations, standards, enterprise procedures and maintenance publications

WHS procedures relating to parachute maintenance, including the selection and use of PPE

how to obtain MSDS

critical nature of maintaining and packing parachutes, i.e. risk of death

approved cleaning methods for aviation life support equipment

components of a parachute and their function

parachute assembly materials of construction

environmental conditions that may affect parachutes and parachute assemblies including ultraviolet degradation

types of corrosion and contamination that may affect parachute assemblies

handling, storage and transit procedures relating to parachutes

physiological effects of flight

sequence of ejection

operation of person carrying parachutes

operation of ballistic parachutes in aircraft recovery

purpose of different types of canopies

modification requirements for parachutes

requirements for a parachute servicing facility

operation of testing and measuring equipment and tools used to maintain parachutes

repair limitations for parachutes

packing tools and measuring equipment required to pack parachutes.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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.

Maintain parachute

1.1

Parachute is inspected for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures

1.2

Parachute is tested for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures and manufacturer’s specifications

1.3

Identified faults beyond own authority to rectify are reported to supervisor and faulty parachute is quarantined

1.4

Unserviceable parts of the parachute are replaced to render parachute serviceable in accordance with standard procedures 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)

1.5

Basic parachute repairs are completed in accordance with standard procedures

1.6

Parachute is cleaned in accordance with standard procedures

1.7

Parachute is presented for inspection by supervisor in accordance with standard procedures

1.8

Maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

2.

Pack parachute

2.1

Parachute is packed for use in accordance with standard procedures

2.2

Parachute is presented for inspection by supervisor in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

2.3

Relevant documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

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.

Standard procedures are found in any or all of:

Commonwealth/state/territory WHS legislation, regulations and codes

Australian Standards

Equipment manufacturers’ specifications and procedures

Industry practices

Safety manuals

Maintenance schedules

Work instructions

Maintenance organisation manuals

MSDS

Defence regulations and instructions

Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASRs) and advisory material

Standing instructions

Faults include:

Broken stitching

Broken quick release fitting springs

Contamination

Corrosion of metal parts

Damaged hardware

Damaged quick release fitting screws

Excessive wear

Expired parachute components

Frayed lines

Incorrect manufacture

Pulled threads

Incorrect rigging line sequence

Seized quick release fitting lugs

Stretched lines

Tears in parachute

Ultraviolet (UV) degradation

Parts of the parachute include:

Canopy

Hardware (e.g. buckles, eyelets, connector links)

Harness

Parachute housing (e.g. pack)

Quick release fitting

Rigging lines

Basic parachute repairs include:

Broken stitching

Corrosion (e.g. fittings)

Damaged hardware

Frayed lines

Pulled threads

Tears in parachute

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
Parachute is inspected for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures 
Parachute is tested for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures and manufacturer’s specifications 
Identified faults beyond own authority to rectify are reported to supervisor and faulty parachute is quarantined 
Unserviceable parts of the parachute are replaced to render parachute serviceable in accordance with standard procedures 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) 
Basic parachute repairs are completed in accordance with standard procedures 
Parachute is cleaned in accordance with standard procedures 
Parachute is presented for inspection by supervisor in accordance with standard procedures 
Maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures 
Parachute is packed for use in accordance with standard procedures 
Parachute is presented for inspection by supervisor in accordance with standard enterprise procedures 
Relevant documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MEA505 - Maintain and pack parachutes
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

MEA505 - Maintain and pack parachutes

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: