Unit of competency details
MEA313 - Inspect, test and troubleshoot piston engine systems and components (Release 1)
Summary
Usage recommendation:
Current
Releases:
| 1 1 (this release) |
12/Feb/2015 |
Companion volumes:
Unit of competency
Assessment requirements
Training packages that include this unit
Qualifications that include this unit
Skill sets that include this unit
Classifications
Classification history
| ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier | 031503 | Aircraft Maintenance Engineering | 14/May/2015 | |
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Unit of competency
Modification History
Release 1 - New unit of competency
Application
This unit of competency requires application of hand skills, the use of maintenance publications, and knowledge of piston engine and system theory to inspect, test and troubleshoot fixed and rotary wing aircraft piston engines and engine system components 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.
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.
Pre-requisite Unit
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MEA306
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Remove and install engine systems and components
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Competency Field
Aviation maintenance
Unit Sector
Elements and Performance Criteria
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Elements describe the essential outcomes.
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Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.
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1.
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Inspect piston engine system and components
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1.1
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Isolation tags already attached to the system or related systems are checked and aircraft/engine configured for safe system inspection and operation in accordance with applicable maintenance manual
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1.2
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Piston engine and/or components are visually or physically checked for external and internal signs of defects in accordance with applicable maintenance manual 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)
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2.
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Test piston engine system
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2.1
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Aircraft and engine system are correctly prepared in accordance with applicable maintenance manual and connected to appropriate test equipment
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2.2
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Built-in system test functions and status displays are activated, where applicable, outputs recorded and interpreted
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2.3
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Assistance is provided with engine and/or system operation during prescribed test procedures to establish serviceability and correct function in accordance with applicable maintenance manual
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3.
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Prepare for troubleshooting
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3.1
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Relevant maintenance documentation and modification status, including system defect reports, where relevant, are used to identify an unserviceability
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4.
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Troubleshoot piston engine system
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4.1
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Available information from maintenance documentation and inspection and test results is used, where necessary, to assist in fault determination
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4.2
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Maintenance manual fault diagnosis guide and logical processes are used to ensure efficient and accurate troubleshooting to line replacement level
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4.3
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Specialist advice is obtained, where required, to assist with the troubleshooting process
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4.4
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Piston engine system faults are located and the causes of the faults are clearly identified and correctly recorded in maintenance documentation, where required
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4.5
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Fault rectification requirements are determined to assist in planning the repair
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Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range of Conditions
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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.
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Piston engines and engine systems include:
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- Engine (all types), main components and accessories/drives
- Control system, including full authority digital engine control (FADEC) (where FADEC is applicable to the enterprise)
- Ignition and starter systems
- Fuel, air systems and super/turbo chargers
- Oil system
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Procedures and requirements include:
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- Industry standard procedures specified by manufacturers, regulatory authorities or the enterprise
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Unit Mapping Information
Release 1 – equivalent to MEA313C Inspect, test and troubleshoot piston engine systems and components
Links
Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=ce216c9c-04d5-4b3b-9bcf-4e81d0950371
Assessment requirements
Modification History
Release 1 - New unit of competency
Performance Evidence
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 and aircraft manuals
- through visual/physical inspection, recognising external and internal signs of defects in piston engines, components and system components
- assisting with testing of piston engine and engine system operation, be able to operate systems, monitor indications, record parameters and recognise correct function
- compiling engine condition monitoring records
- rigging and adjusting engine controls and systems, including FADEC (where FADEC is applicable to the enterprise)
- using fault diagnosis guides and equivalent data to accurately and efficiently troubleshoot the causes of unserviceabilities in piston engines and engine systems, clearly record details and identify the required rectification actions.
The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable across a range of inspection, testing and troubleshooting applications (including the timely involvement of supervisor or other trades) associated with engine systems. It is essential that system testing procedures take into account all safety precautions associated with piston engine system operation, and that awareness be demonstrated of dual inspection requirements associated with work on engine controls. Ability to interpret inspection procedures and specifications (allowable limits) and apply them in practice is critical.
This may be demonstrated through application across a number of engine system groups as listed in the Assessment Conditions. The application of testing procedures and functional rigging checks should also indicate knowledge of system operation.
Knowledge Evidence
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:
- WHS procedures associated with piston engine maintenance, including lifting and handling of heavy objects
- how to obtain MSDS
- use of PPE
- fault diagnosis techniques
- piston engine and engine system layout and operation:
- four stroke engine theory of operation and performance
- cylinder configurations
- construction – components and materials
- carburettors and air induction systems
- fuel injection systems
- fuels and their characteristics
- ignition systems
- lubricating systems and lubricants
- cooling systems
- exhaust systems
- superchargers and turbochargers
- accessory drives and mounts
- controls and rigging of controls
- FADEC systems
- piston engine maintenance requirements and troubleshooting procedures including ground running of engines
- system component operation, including electrical and instrument system interfaces:
- magnetos and ignition harnesses
- spark plugs
- fuel pumps
- fuel filters
- oil pumps
- oil filters
- oil tanks
- vacuum pumps and air pumps
- generators
- starter motors
- oil pressure gauges (direct reading)
- temperature gauges (direct reading)
- tachometers
- manifold pressure gauges
- system and component maintenance requirements and troubleshooting procedures
- relevant maintenance manuals
- relevant regulatory requirements and standard procedures.
Assessment Conditions
- Competency should be assessed in the work environment or simulated work environment using tools and equipment specified in aircraft 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.
- Engine system operation knowledge, the relationship of individual components and the links with other systems will be necessary to supplement evidence of ability to carry out rigging checks and troubleshoot the system within the limits of the aircraft/system fault-finding guide before undertaking any action. The work plan should take account of applicable safety and quality requirements in accordance with the industry and regulatory standards.
- Testing of engines fitted to helicopters (where auxiliary drive is not available) may be carried out through the applicant directing a pilot qualified on type.
- 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:
- engine (all types), main components and accessories/drives
- control system, including FADEC (where FADEC is applicable to the enterprise)
- ignition and starter systems
- fuel, air systems and super/turbo chargers
- oil system.
- 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.
- Individuals being assessed who have already attained MEA353 Maintain basic light aircraft engines and propellers will have satisfied the requirements of this unit with regard to common Range of Conditions variables. The Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement records relating to MEA353 Maintain basic light aircraft engines and propellers may be accepted as also meeting the evidence requirements for this unit in the applicable common areas.
Links
Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=ce216c9c-04d5-4b3b-9bcf-4e81d0950371
