Application
This unit of competency requires application of skills and knowledge relating to the preparation and application of a range of specialty coatings to fixed and rotary wing aircraft and aircraft components using application methods applicable to the specific coating material during the performance of scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. Work may be performed individually or as part of a team.
No licensing requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, but compliance with legislation and regulations for the handling and disposal of hazardous materials is included in the unit.
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).
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1. | Determine specialty coating requirements | 1.1 | Specialty coating requirements are identified from maintenance documentation and enterprise procedures |
1.2 | Enterprise procedures and maintenance publications are used to identify materials and tools to be used for specialty coating application | ||
1.3 | Aircraft or component identification is matched with relevant maintenance documentation | ||
2. | Prepare surface for coating application | 2.1 | Work health and safety (WHS) requirements are identified and complied with and personal protective equipment (PPE) is checked for correct fit and function |
2.2 | Materials and equipment required for specialty coating application are assembled | ||
2.3 | Surfaces are cleaned and degreased in accordance with enterprise procedures | ||
2.4 | Final finishing of surfaces is performed in accordance with enterprise procedures and/or process specifications | ||
2.5 | Reject parts and surfaces are identified, recorded and reported in accordance with standard enterprise procedures | ||
2.6 | Masking is applied to relevant areas | ||
3. | Prepare and apply coating | 3.1 | The required coating is prepared in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications and directions while observing all relevant WHS requirements, including the use of material safety data sheets (MSDS) and items of PPE |
3.2 | Coating mix is inspected in accordance with enterprise procedures and/or process specifications | ||
3.3 | Coating is applied to the required surfaces in accordance with enterprise procedures and/or process specifications while observing all relevant WHS requirements, including the use of MSDS and items of PPE | ||
3.4 | Coating is inspected for coating thickness and quality compliance with enterprise procedures and/or process specifications | ||
3.5 | Defects in the coating are identified and rectified as required | ||
3.6 | Masking materials are removed and final cleaning of surfaces is performed | ||
3.7 | Documentation is completed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures | ||
4. | Clean up work area and maintain equipment | 4.1 | Waste material is removed and disposed of or stored in accordance with legislative, regulatory and enterprise procedures |
4.2 | Equipment is cleaned in accordance with enterprise procedures or manufacturer’s instructions | ||
4.3 | Equipment is checked for serviceability and unserviceable items are dealt with in accordance with enterprise procedures | ||
4.4 | Tools are cleaned and maintained in accordance with enterprise procedures | ||
4.5 | Work area is cleaned and inspected for serviceable condition | ||
Evidence of Performance
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 WHS procedures relating to specialty coating application, including the selection and correct use of PPE
using procedures, process specification and manufacturer’s data to identify coating preparation and application requirements
selecting and applying masking materials
selecting and using correct specialty coating
using MSDS
selecting and using applicable coating application methods
cleaning and preparing surfaces for coating application
correctly disposing of waste materials
cleaning and maintenance of equipment and tools.
The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable across a range of specialty coating application tasks associated with aircraft. It is essential that cleanliness requirements and safety precautions, including the correct use of PPE, and application of environmental protection procedures are fully observed, understood and complied with. Ability to interpret drawing and specification requirements and application procedures and apply them in practice is critical.
This is to be demonstrated through application of various types of specialty coating as listed in the Range of Conditions across a range of aircraft applications.
Evidence of Knowledge
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:
relevant enterprise procedures and maintenance publications
WHS procedures relating to the application of specialty aerospace coatings, including PPE
relevant data from manufacturers of specialty coatings
how to obtain MSDS
criticality of areas of aircraft structure with regard to coating application
cleaning processes and chemicals used to prepare surfaces for coating application
coating application methods
masking materials
environmental legislation and regulations relating to the storage, use and disposal of hazardous materials.
Assessment Conditions
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace using materials, tools and equipment specified in the maintenance manuals and applicable procedures. It is also expected that general and special-purpose tools and ground support equipment would be used where appropriate.
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 minimum of two (2) types of specialty coating on at least three (3) application tasks.
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
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Procedures and requirements include: | Industry standard procedures specified by manufacturers, regulatory authorities or the enterprise |
Specialty coatings include: | Specialised inner layer coatings Engine coatings Leading edge coatings Radome coatings Waterborne heatproof paints Walkway compounds Fuel tank coatings Heatproof coatings Electrical conductive coatings |
WHS requirements are identified from relevant: | Commonwealth/state/territory WHS legislation, regulations and codes Procedures manuals Safety manuals Work instructions Maintenance organisation manuals MSDS Defence regulations and instructions Standing instructions |
Materials and equipment include: | Chemicals Cleaning materials Specialty coating material Various spray guns Brush Roller Trowel PPE Baking oven Heat lamps Electrical test equipment Wet film thickness gauges |
Defects in the coating include: | Sags Runs Delamination Imperfections Dry spray Contamination Over-spray Egress |
Legislative, regulatory and enterprise procedures include: | Commonwealth/state/territory environmental legislation, regulations and codes for the storage and disposal of hazardous and toxic materials MSDS Maintenance organisation manuals Procedures manuals Work instructions Relevant Defence regulations and instructions Standing instructions |
Sectors
Competency Field
Aviation maintenance