Application
This unit of competency applies to aircraft alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) electrical systems, including power generation, control and distribution circuits and lighting systems. It involves evaluation of systems for compliance with design and performance standards and with airworthiness regulatory requirements within both civil and military environments.
Also covered is documentation of the evaluation process within management systems, such as configuration management (CM) and integrated logistic support (ILS).
It is suitable for people working as paraprofessionals within aircraft design teams, within the engineering departments of aircraft maintenance organisations or employed within Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisations (CAMOs) and Approved Engineering Organisations (AEOs), and for those pursuing qualifications or careers in those fields.
This 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. | Prepare to evaluate aircraft electrical system | 1.1 | Confirm and apply safe electrical working practice |
1.2 | Review the effects of electricity on humans and identify dangerous high currents and voltages and regulatory requirements related to extra low, low and high voltage applications and relate these to aircraft electrical system operation and maintenance | ||
1.3 | Determine parameters and context of applications and purpose of evaluation | ||
1.4 | Confirm personal functions and responsibilities, team and support functional group interdependencies and communications | ||
1.5 | Confirm that tasks and responsibilities are appropriate to qualifications and delegations and that appropriate support, including technical and professional assistance, is available | ||
1.6 | Determine chain of responsibility for the activity evaluation, reporting arrangements and timelines | ||
1.7 | Identify work health and safety (WHS) and regulatory requirements with particular emphasis on safety, codes of practice, performance requirements and standards, including airworthiness regulatory requirements for aircraft electrical systems, risk management and organisational procedures | ||
2. | Identify principles and techniques required for evaluation of aircraft electrical system | 2.1 | Identify features and functions of aircraft electrical AC and DC systems and components |
2.2 | Review aircraft electrical system design and layout requirements and techniques | ||
2.3 | Identify system power generation and control requirements | ||
2.4 | Identify electrical distribution system circuit and protection requirements | ||
2.5 | Identify interfaces with aircraft and avionic systems and their power requirements | ||
2.6 | Identify internal and external aircraft lighting requirements | ||
3. | Evaluate aircraft electrical system and system components | 3.1 | Evaluate proposed modifications to aircraft electrical systems and system components |
3.2 | Evaluate aircraft electrical system and system component maintenance requirements | ||
3.3 | Evaluate aircraft electrical system and system component reliability and defect history | ||
3.4 | Evaluate proposed component substitutions | ||
3.5 | Evaluate application for compliance with WHS Acts, regulations, codes, directives and standards/specifications, including those related to risk management | ||
4. | Report results | 4.1 | Report results of scoping, principles and techniques identification and evaluation of applications |
4.2 | Provide documentation, such as system schematics, wiring diagrams and data required by CM and/or ILS, and as required for compliance with airworthiness regulations | ||
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:
identifying WHS, regulatory and electrical safety requirements, risk management procedures, features and functions of aircraft electrical systems and components, and system design principles and techniques, including:
load analysis and operating environment
system control
indicating and circuit protection requirements
interface requirements between the distribution circuits and aircraft hydro-mechanical and avionic systems/system components
reviewing effects of electricity on humans, dangerous high currents and voltages and automated systems, regulatory requirements related to extra low, low and high voltage applications and relating these to aircraft electrical applications
determining and confirming:
parameters and context of tasks
chain of responsibility
personal functions and responsibilities
team and support functional group interdependencies and communications
appropriate qualifications and delegations
appropriate support, including technical and professional assistance
investigating associated CM and ILS requirements and drafting required data
identifying and drafting data required for compliance with airworthiness regulations
assessing and applying:
basic aircraft electrical system load analysis and design procedures
design standards
regulatory requirements
graphics skills and techniques
evaluating system components and specifications against system design and operating criteria
reporting and documenting results of scoping, principles and techniques identification and evaluation of applications, system schematics and wiring diagrams.
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:
features of aircraft electrical AC and DC systems, control and distribution, circuit protection and lighting system
interface with aircraft hydro-mechanical systems, such as hydraulic, pneumatic, environmental, anti-ice, flight control and engine control
interface with avionic systems, such as instrumentation, communications, navigation, pulse, on-board computer systems and in-flight entertainment
requirements and procedures for electrical system load analysis
electrical system components and related specifications
wiring types, standards and specifications, including optical fibre
operating environment effects
airworthiness regulator design standards
compliance requirements of the WHS Act and regulations, codes of practice, standards, risk assessment
scope of trade, technical and professional support services required in electrical system applications
management data interface with CM and ILS.
Assessment Conditions
This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, that is, the candidate is not in productive work, then a simulated working environment must be used that reflects realistic workplace situations and conditions.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure its correct interpretation and application.
Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:
identify and apply WHS, regulatory and risk management procedures
review dangers and effects of electricity on humans
determine parameters and context of tasks, personal, team, licensed technical and professional assistance, support personnel functions and responsibilities, and chain of responsibility
investigate sustainability implications of aircraft electrical system applications as specified in CM and/or ILS requirements
assess and apply basic aircraft electrical system design and maintenance/repair requirements, software basic analysis and graphics skills and techniques
evaluate aircraft electrical systems and components for compliance with WHS and airworthiness regulatory requirements
report and document results including provision of CM and ILS input data.
Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.
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. | ||
Aircraft electrical systems include: | AC power generation and control DC power generation and control Batteries Electrical power distribution circuits and circuit protection External lighting circuits Internal lighting circuits Electrical interfaces with aircraft systems, such as: hydraulic landing gear and brakes doors pneumatic air conditioning and pressurisation flight controls engine controls anti-ice and de-ice fire detection and extinguishing Electrical interfaces with avionic systems, such as: caution and warning instrumentation communications navigation pulse on-board computer systems (e.g. automatic flight and engine control, flight management and on-board maintenance) in-flight entertainment | |
Electrical system components include: | Alternators, generators, inverters and transformer/rectifiers Batteries and emergency batteries Regulators and indicators, such as voltage, current and frequency Switches Relays Wiring and related hardware Fuses and circuit breakers Rheostats Rotary and linear actuators Lighting, including strobe lights Indication and warning lights | |
Standards and guidance material include: | ASTM F2639-07 Standard Practices for Design, Alteration and Certification of Airplane Electrical Wiring Systems ARINC Report 609 Design Guidance for Aircraft Electrical Power Systems CASA AC 21-38(0) Aircraft Electrical Load Analysis and Power Source Capacity CASA AC 21-99 Aircraft Wiring and Bonding ADF AAP7001 .054 Airworthiness Design Requirements Manual FAR Part 23 Airworthiness Standards for Airplanes in the Normal, Utility, Aerobatic or Commuter Categories FAR Part 25 Airworthiness Standards for Airplanes in the Transport Category FAR Part 27 Airworthiness Standards for Rotorcraft in the Normal Category FAR Part 29 Airworthiness Standards for Rotorcraft in the Transport Category EASA CS-23 Certification Specifications for Aeroplanes in the Normal, Utility, Aerobatic or Commuter Categories EASA CS-25 Certification Specifications for Airplanes in the Transport Category EASA CS-27 Certification Specifications for Rotorcraft in the Normal Category EASA CS-29 Certification Specifications for Rotorcraft in the Transport Category RTCA DO-160D Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment Military Specification MIL-E-7016F: Electrical Load and Power Source Capacity, Aircraft, Analysis of SAE Aerospace AS50881 Wiring Aerospace Vehicles CASA AC21.16(0) Approval of material, parts, processes and appliances CASA AC21.145(0) Manufacture of parts during the course of maintenance CASA AC21.601(0) Australian Technical Standards Order Authorisation CASA CAAP35 -7(0) Design approval of modifications and repairs FAA AC 43-13-1B Acceptable Methods, Techniques and Practices – Aircraft Inspection and Repair | |
Configuration management (CM) | CM is a process for control and documentation of the design and development process and for the management of system, component and software throughout the service life | |
Integrated logistic support (ILS) | ILS is an integrated approach to the management of logistic disciplines originally developed for the management of military systems from design concept to final disposal at life-of-type. It covers: reliability engineering, maintainability engineering and maintenance planning supply and support support and test equipment manpower and personnel training and training support technical data and publications computer resources support facilities packaging, handling, storage and transportation design interface | |
Appropriate technical and professional assistance includes: | Assistance from individuals with CASA maintenance certification licenses or those with supervisory authorisations in the ADF regulatory system Professional support from engineers employed within: organisations with CASA continuing airworthiness management or maintenance approvals approved engineering organisations under the ADF regulatory system Engineers employed within organisations recognised by overseas airworthiness organisations | |
WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures include: | WHS Acts and regulations Relevant standards Industry codes of practice Risk assessments Registration requirements Safe work practices Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASRs) AAP7001 .053 ADF Technical Airworthiness Management Manual Overseas airworthiness authorities, where applicable, e.g. Federal Aviation Administration, Transport Canada, European Aviation Safety Agency | |
Sectors
Competency Field
Avionic engineering