This unit of competency requires application of hand skills and the use of maintenance documentation/publications in the removal and installation of basic aircraft instrument system components of fixed and rotary wing aircraft that have basic instrument systems during scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. Work may be performed individually or as part of a team.

The unit is part of the Avionic Certificate IV (Aircraft Maintenance Stream) training pathway.

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).

Where a CASA licensing outcome is sought this unit forms part of the CASA requirement for the granting of the chosen maintenance certification licence under Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR) Part 66, in accordance with the licensing provisions in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

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:

locating and identifying flight instrument system components comprising:

piston engine system temperature, pressure, speed (including mechanical and electrical tachometers), manifold pressure/boost (including aneroid type, sylphon bellows and dual compartment type)

gas turbine engine indicating system temperature, pressure, speed, torque, fuel flow and vibration (may be omitted if not relevant to the enterprise)

auxiliary direct reading systems, including hydraulic pressure, pneumatic pressure and vacuum, and fuel storage quantities

flight systems, including attitude, altitude, air speed and OAT

locating and identifying direct reading compasses

locating and identifying remote reading gyro compass system components (may be omitted if not relevant to enterprise)

correct handling and observance of maintenance precautions relating to gyroscopes, gimbals, pitot/static systems (connections, heating and protrusions)

applying relevant WHS practices.

It is essential that cleanliness requirements and safety precautions applicable to the system being maintained are fully observed, understood and complied with, as well as work practices associated with electrostatic sensitive devices.

Evidence of transferability of skills and knowledge related to removal and installation is essential. This is to be demonstrated by application across a range of aircraft instrument system components as listed in the Assessment Conditions.

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:

component attachment methods

connection of hardware and plugs

handling precautions relating to:

electrostatic sensitive devices

gyroscopes and gimbals

basic instrument system and component operating principles:

atmospherics and barometry

terminology and unit of measurement conversion

aircraft instrumentation requirements

instrument panel layout

pressure sensing elements

pitot static systems and testing requirements

gyroscopic principles

direct reading compasses

remote reading gyro compasses

temperature sensors

fluid quantity indication systems

general layout and components of the following systems:

flight systems, including:

altitude (direct reading altimeters)

attitude, including directional gyros and artificial horizons (both air and electrically driven), turn and slip and turn coordinator

airspeed

OAT

remote reading gyro compass system

piton engine indication systems, including:

direct reading temperature

direct reading pressure (e.g. oil pressure)

speed, including mechanical and electric tachometers

manifold pressure/boost, including aneroid, sylphon bellows and dual compartment types

gas turbine engine indication systems, including:

temperature and pressure

speed, including mechanical and electric tachometers

torque

fuel flow

vibration

auxiliary direct reading systems, including:

electrical

hydraulic pressure

pneumatic pressure and vacuum

basic fuel quantity indication

relevant WHS practices

relevant maintenance manuals

relevant regulatory requirements and standard procedures.

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace using tools and equipment specified in maintenance manuals. It is also expected that general-purpose tools, test and ground support equipment found in most routine maintenance situations would be used where appropriate.

An understanding of the attachment methods, connection of hardware, and the need for adjustment or calibration and system operation as they relate to the work must be demonstrated before undertaking any action. 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 at least one (1) component from each of:

pitot/static system components, ASIs, VSIs and counter pointer altimeters

DGs and AHs, both air and electrically driven

turn and bank and slip/turn coordinators

remote reading gyro compass system (may be omitted if not relevant to the enterprise)

direct reading compasses

piston engine indication system components (direct reading measuring instruments and temperature indication)

gas turbine engine indication system components (may be omitted if not relevant to the enterprise)

electrical systems indication (voltage, current, power and frequency)

basic fuel quantity indication system components

pneumatic/vacuum indication system components.

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).

Where the unit is to be used for CASA licensing purposes the Assessor must also meet the criteria specified in the CASR Part 147 Manual of Standards.

Individuals being assessed who have already attained MEA275 Maintain basic light aircraft instrument systems and components will have met all of the criteria for this unit. The Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement records relating to MEA275 Maintain basic light aircraft instrument systems and components may be accepted as also meeting the evidence requirements for this unit.

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

Aviation maintenance