This unit of competency requires application of hand skills, theory knowledge and maintenance publication procedures to disassemble aircraft piston engines during workshop repair and/or overhaul.

Applications include fixed and rotary wing aircraft piston engines and components and work may be performed individually or as part of a team.

The unit is part of the Mechanical Certificate IV (Component Workshop Maintenance Stream) training pathway. It is used in workplaces that operate under the airworthiness regulatory systems of the Australian defence Force (ADF) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

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 procedures, including the use of MSDS and PPE

using relevant maintenance documentation, enterprise procedures, specifications and aircraft/component manuals to:

recognise state of serviceability and overhaul or repair requirements for piston engines

accurately and efficiently troubleshoot unserviceabilities and document the causes for piston engines and components

dismantle and inspect piston engine component parts for serviceability

identify and initiate procurement for piston engine component parts/hardware that are discarded

identify and process engine components that require detailed inspection, repair, overhaul or modification.

Evidence of transferability of skills and knowledge related to repair and overhaul is essential. This shall be demonstrated through application across a number of different piston engines. Ability to assess component serviceability and interpret parts requirements will be necessary to supplement the required evidence. Capability to interpret inspection procedures and specifications (allowable limits) and apply them in practice is critical.

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:

how to obtain relevant MSDS

the use of applicable items of PPE

WHS procedures

fault diagnosis techniques

system and component operation

engine cleaning and disassembly procedures and component inspection for serviceability, including identification of life expired components

enterprise documentation requirements.

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

Knowledge of system operation and the relationship of individual components will be necessary to supplement evidence of ability to troubleshoot component faults 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 a representative range of the engine types maintained by 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).

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

Aviation maintenance