Application
This unit of competency requires application of skills and knowledge relating to the maintenance and fitment of anti-G suits worn by aircrew and passengers in high performance aircraft. Maintenance involves inspection, testing, fault diagnosis, replacement of parts, repairs to fabric and cleaning. Fitment involves adjusting the anti-G suit to correctly fit an individual. Maintenance may be performed individually or as part of a team.
The scope of repairs excludes inflatable components of the anti-G suit.
This unit is part of the Aeroskills Life Support and Furnishing Certificate III and IV training pathways.
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. | Maintain anti-G suit | 1.1 | Anti-G suit is inspected for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures |
1.2 | Anti-G suit is tested for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures and manufacturer’s specifications | ||
1.3 | Identified faults beyond own authority to rectify are reported to supervisor and faulty anti-G suit is quarantined | ||
1.4 | Unserviceable parts of the anti-G suit are replaced and fabric repairs are completed in accordance with standards procedures while observing all relevant work health and safety (WHS) requirements, including the use of material safety data sheets (MSDS) and items of personal protective equipment (PPE) | ||
1.5 | Anti-G suit is cleaned in accordance with standard procedures | ||
1.6 | Anti-G suit is presented for inspection by supervisor in accordance with standard procedures | ||
1.7 | Maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures | ||
2. | Fit anti-G suit | 2.1 | Fitting process is explained to the participant so that optimal fit can be achieved |
2.2 | Participant is measured and appropriate size anti-G suit is selected | ||
2.3 | Anti-G suit is adjusted to optimise fit in conjunction with participant feedback | ||
2.4 | Anti-G suit fit is verified by the supervisor | ||
2.5 | Relevant documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures |
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 practices relating to Anti-G suit maintenance processes, including the selection and correct use of PPE, where applicable
using MSDS
using applicable tools and maintenance documentation to:
test/inspect anti-G suits for serviceability
replace unserviceable components and repair fabric in accordance with approved procedures including sewing
select and use appropriate anti-G suit cleaning materials
correctly fit anti-G suits to users
tying of knots, including:
reef knot
bowline
thumb knot
daisy chain
half hitch
cleaning and maintenance of equipment and tools.
The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable across a range of aircraft life support equipment maintenance activities. It is essential that anti-G suit testing and inspection procedures, cleanliness requirements and safety precautions, including the correct use of PPE, are fully observed, understood and complied with. Ability to interpret maintenance and fitting procedures and apply them in practice is critical.
This is to be demonstrated through demonstration of the ability to recognise faults and damage and perform appropriate repairs that are within the bounds of the individual’s authority, and through the demonstration of correct fitting procedures on different sized individuals.
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 Anti-G suit maintenance, including the selection and use of PPE
how to obtain MSDS
G forces and anti-G suit operation during flight
physiological effects of flight
critical nature of maintaining and fitting anti-G suits
forces of ejection
operation of testing and measuring equipment and tools used to maintain anti-G suits
inflation methods used in the maintenance of anti-G suits
types of corrosion and contamination that may affect anti-G suits
modification requirements for anti-G suits
anti-G suit repair procedures and limitations
lacing techniques used in the fitting of anti-G suits
anti-G suit cleaning methods and materials
handling, storage and transit procedures.
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 representative range of maintenance tasks and on the correct fitting of anti-G suits to at least three (3) different sized individuals.
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. | ||
Standard procedures are found in any or all of: | Commonwealth/state/territory WHS legislation, regulations and codes Australian Standards Equipment manufacturers’ specifications and procedures Industry practices Safety manuals Maintenance schedules Work instructions Maintenance organisation manuals MSDS Defence regulations and instructions Standing instructions | |
Typical faults include: | Broken zips and stitching Contamination Corrosion of metal parts, such as zippers Damaged hardware Excessive wear Incorrect manufacture Leaks Tears | |
Anti-G suit replaceable parts include: | Eyelets Press studs Zips | |
Adjustment of fit is effected by: | Lacing of torso and legs Waist extension/reduction |
Sectors
Competency Field
Aircraft life support