This unit of competency is part of the Mechanical Certificate IV (Aircraft Maintenance Stream) training pathway and may also be part of a Structures Certificate IV training pathway. It requires application of hand skills and standard trade practices in the removal and installation of aircraft hydro-mechanical system and landing gear components fitted to both fixed and rotary wing aircraft during the performance of scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. Maintenance may be performed individually or as part of a team.

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 and tools to remove and install hydraulic and fuel system components

jacking of the aircraft as required for landing gear component removal and installation

correctly installing and securing of aircraft hardware

using hand skills and tools to remove and install landing gear components and the correct handling of heavy components

using maintenance manuals to prepare the aircraft for component removal and installation and correct interpretation of removal and installation instructions

applying standard procedures

observing all relevant WHS procedures including the use of MSDS and relevant items of PPE.

It is essential that system cleanliness requirements and safety precautions applicable to the system being maintained are fully observed, understood and complied with.

Evidence of transferability of skills and knowledge related to removal and installation is essential. This may be demonstrated through application across a number of aircraft systems or aircraft types, but must cover a sufficient range of tasks to demonstrate familiarity with attachment methods, connection hardware and couplings peculiar to each type of system, and of safe handling of heavy components.

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 usage and installation/securing of aircraft hardware

hydraulic fluids (mineral and synthetic) and handling precautions

hydraulic seal types and applications

how to locate and correctly remove and install components of hydraulic systems

aircraft fuels and handling precautions

fuel seal types and applications

how to locate and correctly remove and install fuel system components

electrical circuit isolation and plug removal and installation

how to jack the aircraft for landing gear component removal and installation

how to locate and correctly remove and install landing gear components, including the handling of heavy components

WHS procedures relating to hydraulic systems, fuel systems and landing gear components

how to obtain MSDS

the selection and use of items of PPE

relevant maintenance manuals

relevant regulatory requirements and standard procedures.

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 applicable general-purpose tools, test and ground support equipment found in most routine situations would be used where appropriate.

An understanding of system operation as it relates 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 this unit of competency are being achieved under routine supervision on each type of system and on at least one (1) component of each group listed in the Range of Conditions, as follows:

hydraulic systems – preparation of a system for safe component removal and replacement of at least one (1) component from each of the following groups of components:

hydraulic accumulators, filters, reservoirs, valves, pumps, motors, actuators, regulators and direct reading gauges

rigid and flexible pipelines, hoses and fittings

fuel systems – preparation of a system for safe component removal and replacement of at least one (1) component from each of the following groups of components:

fuel system filters, valves, pumps, rigid and flexible storage cells/tanks

rigid and flexible pipelines, hoses and fittings

landing gear components – one (1) each of:

wheel assemblies or skids

brake units

struts/oleos.

Coverage of brakes and struts/oleos are not required where the aircraft is rotary wing and is fitted with skids or floats.

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.

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

Aviation maintenance