This unit of competency requires application of hand skills, standard trade practices and systems knowledge in the testing and troubleshooting of aircraft instrument and display systems and components during both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. 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:

using hand skills, tools and test equipment in the testing, adjustment and troubleshooting of instrument and display systems

recognition of system and component defects/external damage, correct installation, connection of plugs, terminations, and attaching hardware (including cabling/harnesses) for the systems listed in Range of Conditions

interpreting the information presented on instrument and display systems

applying logic processes and using appropriate wiring diagrams and manuals to isolate instrument and display system malfunctions

performing system functional tests and checks to isolate system faults and assess post-maintenance serviceability

effectively using maintenance documentation and relevant fault diagnosis guides in the troubleshooting process

applying standard procedures

observing all relevant WHS procedures.

It is essential that system testing procedures, cleanliness requirements and safety precautions applicable to the instrument system being maintained are fully observed, understood and complied with. Ability to interpret inspection procedures and specifications (allowable limits) and apply them in practice across a range of inspection, testing and troubleshooting applications (including the timely involvement of supervisors or other trades) is critical.

Evidence of transferability of skills and knowledge related to testing and troubleshooting is essential. This may be demonstrated through application across a range of aircraft instrument and display systems (where display systems are applicable to the enterprise) 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:

standard trade practices relating to tool and test equipment usage and installation/securing of system components

the basic layout (block diagram level) of the systems listed in the Range of Conditions

the operating principles of the systems listed in the Range of Conditions and associated with:

the properties and effects of atmospheric conditions on aircraft instruments and systems

pressure and temperature sensing elements and their use in aircraft instruments

gyroscopes and their use in aircraft instrument and reference systems

electrical fundamentals and display screen generation

the various methods of navigation and how they are used by both conventional and electronic navigational instruments and systems

maintenance requirements and troubleshooting procedures

WHS procedures relating to instrument and display systems and components

relevant maintenance manuals

relevant regulatory requirements and standard procedures, including software management control.

Competency should be assessed in the work environment or simulated work environment, using procedures, tools and equipment specified in maintenance documentation. It is also expected that general purpose tools, test and ground support equipment found in most routine situations would be used where appropriate. The level of troubleshooting is limited in its application to the use of fault diagnosis guides or other similar information to enable troubleshooting to line replaceable item level.

The application of testing procedures should clearly indicate knowledge of system operation, the relationship of individual components and the links with other systems (if applicable) within the limits of the aircraft/system fault-finding guide 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 this unit of competency are being achieved under routine supervision on a system and on at least one (1) major system component of each of the following groups:

flight instruments – pitot/static systems, ASIs, machmeters, air data systems and instruments, VSIs, altimeters, altitude alerting and reporting, turn and bank, DGs, AHs, angle of attack, stall warning/avoidance, GPWS and FDRs

engine Instruments – engine speed, pressure, temperature, performance, vibration and torque

instrument navigation systems – INS, IRS, compasses and AHRS

miscellaneous – pressure, fuel quantity, fuel flow, position, voltage, frequency, current and power

display systems – EFIS, EICAS, FMCS, ECAM and HUD (may be omitted if not applicable to the enterprise)

integrated modular avionics (may be omitted if not applicable to the enterprise).

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 MEA213 Inspect, test and troubleshoot advanced aircraft instrument systems, will have covered a significant proportion of the Performance Criteria for Elements 1, 2 and 3 and will have covered many of the Range of Conditions variables. The Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement records relating to MEA213 Inspect, test and troubleshoot advanced aircraft instrument systems, may be accepted as also meeting the evidence requirements for this unit in the applicable areas.

The relationship between MEA213 Inspect, test and troubleshoot advanced aircraft instrument systems and MEA212 Inspect, test and troubleshoot basic aircraft instrument systems and components, may also be taken into account where MEA212 Inspect, test and troubleshoot basic aircraft instrument systems and components has been attained, but not MEA213 Inspect, test and troubleshoot advanced aircraft instrument systems. Advice in MEA212 Inspect, test and troubleshoot basic aircraft instrument systems and components regarding the coverage of MEA275 Maintain basic light aircraft instrument systems and components, may also be taken into consideration where applicable.

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

Aviation maintenance