This unit of competency requires application of hand skills and maintenance publications to remove and install structural and non-structural components from fixed wing aircraft with pressurised cabins during the performance of scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. Maintenance may be performed individually or as part of a team.

The unit is part of the Mechanical Certificate IV (Aircraft Maintenance Stream) training pathway and may also be part of a Structures Maintenance Certificate IV 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:

applying relevant WHS practices, including the use of MSDS and PPE

using relevant maintenance documentation and aircraft manuals to:

remove structural components

install structural components

remove doors, door seals, windows and transparent panels

install doors, door seals, windows and transparent panels

checking and adjusting all doors and access panels, including locking mechanisms and ensuring effective sealing.

The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable to other units that require similar techniques. It is essential that shoring, trestling and lifting requirements and safety precautions applicable to the structure being maintained are fully observed, understood and complied with.

This may be demonstrated through application across a representative range of the component groups 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:

structural component methods of construction and attachment

faying surface treatment and fuel tank and pressure hull sealing

aircraft doors and related seals

window and transparent panel construction, attachment methods and sealing

aircraft interior fittings (trim, linings, seats, floor panels, and so on) construction and attachment methods

the location and attachment or stowage methods for emergency equipment:

passenger escape systems

inflatable slides

life jackets

life rafts

location transmitters, beacons

crew and/or passenger seat restraints

relevant maintenance manuals

relevant regulatory requirements and standard procedures

relevant WHS practices

how to obtain MSDS

use of PPE.

Competency should be assessed in the work environment or simulated work environment using tools and equipment specified in maintenance manuals. 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 component handling, attachment methods, adjustment and sealing 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 the unit of competency are being achieved under routine supervision on at least one (1) item from each of the following groups:

removable components of wings, pylons, empennage, landing gear support structure, fairings, nacelles and thrust reversers

removable components or sections of pressurised aircraft fuselage

pressurised fuselage entry, cargo, access doors and associated pressure seals

pressurised fuselage windows, transparent panels and associated seals

trim panels, linings, seats, cabin equipment and consoles, floor panels, coverings (items may be omitted where not applicable to the enterprise)

applicable emergency and safety equipment, including passenger escape systems, inflatable, slides, life jackets, rafts, location transmitters, beacons, and crew and/or passenger seat restraints.

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