This unit of competency requires application of mathematics and physics principles required to support the development and application of aircraft, aircraft system and component maintenance competencies.

It also complies with the requirements of the licensing syllabus in the Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR) Part 66 Manual of Standards.

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 on at least one occasion, and must include:

performing arithmetical calculations typically required in aviation maintenance that apply the methods listed in knowledge evidence

applying physics principles, laws and techniques listed in knowledge evidence that are applicable to aircraft and aircraft systems.

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:

arithmetic:

terms and signs

methods of multiplication and division

fractions and decimals

factors and multiples

weights, measures and conversion factors

ratio and proportion

averages

percentages

areas and volumes

squares, cubes, square and cube roots

algebra:

how to evaluate simple algebraic expressions (add, subtract, multiply, divide, brackets, and simple fractions)

linear equations and their solution

indices and powers, negative and fractional indices

simultaneous equations and second degree equations with one unknown

binary and other applicable numbering systems

logarithms

geometry:

simple geometrical constructions

graphical representation (nature and use, graphs of equations and functions)

trigonometry:

simple trigonometry

trigonometrical relationships

use of tables

rectangular and polar coordinates

matter:

nature of matter (chemical elements, atoms and molecules)

chemical compounds

states and change between states

mechanics:

forces, moments and couples – representation as vectors

centre of gravity

elements of theory of stress, strain and elasticity (tension, compression, shear and torsion)

nature and properties of solid, fluid and gas

pressure and buoyancy in liquids (barometers)

linear movement – uniform motion in a straight line, motion under constant acceleration including motion under gravity – Newton’s Laws of Motion

rotational motion – uniform circular motion – centrifugal and centripetal forces

periodic motion – pendular movement

simple theory of vibration, harmonics and resonance

velocity ratio, mechanical advantage and efficiency

mass

force, inertia, work, power, energy (potential, kinetic and total), heat and efficiency

momentum and conservation of momentum

impulse

gyroscopic principles

friction – nature and effects and coefficient of friction

specific gravity and density

viscosity, fluid resistance and effects of streamlining

effects of compressibility of fluids

static, dynamic and total pressure, Bernoulli’s Theorem and venturi

thermodynamics:

temperature – thermometers and temperature scales (Celsius, Fahrenheit and Kelvin), heat definition

heat capacity and specific heat

heat transfer – convection, radiation and conduction

volumetric expansion

first and second laws of thermodynamics

gases – ideal gas laws, specific heat at constant volume and constant pressure, work done by expanding gas

isothermal, adiabatic expansion and compression, engine cycles, constant volume and constant pressure, refrigerators and heat pumps

latent heat of fusion and evaporation, thermal energy and heat of combustion

optics:

nature of light and speed of light

laws of reflection and refraction – reflection at plane surfaces, reflection by spherical mirrors, refraction and lenses

fibre optics

wave motion and sound:

wave motion – mechanical waves, sinusoidal wave motion, interference phenomena and standing waves

sound – speed of sound, production of sound, intensity, pitch and quality, and Doppler effect.

The unit may be assessed off the job in a training classroom environment using problems and application of knowledge relevant to aviation maintenance competencies and relevant knowledge requirements.

The unit must be linked in its assessment and application to those units that apply to actual maintenance of aircraft.

Evidence of knowledge about aviation maintenance settings in which mathematical techniques and physics principles, laws and techniques are applied is essential.

A person cannot be assessed as competent until it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the workplace assessor that the relevant elements and the performance criteria of the unit of competency are being achieved off the job in simulated settings.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Aviation maintenance