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, remove and install normally aspirated 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.
Applications include normally aspirated piston engines of basic light fixed wing aircraft and basic rotary wing aircraft, and fixed pitch propellers.
The unit is part of the Mechanical Certificate IV (Aircraft Maintenance Stream) training pathway.
Where a Civil Aviation Safety Authority (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
MEA101 |
Interpret work health and safety practices in aviation maintenance |
MEA103 |
Plan and organise aviation maintenance work activities |
MEA105 |
Apply quality standards applicable to aviation maintenance processes |
MEA107 |
Interpret and use aviation maintenance industry manuals and specifications |
MEA108 |
Complete aviation maintenance industry documentation |
MEA109 |
Perform basic hand skills, standard trade practices and fundamentals in aviation maintenance |
Competency Field
Aviation maintenance
Unit Sector
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
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1. |
Inspect piston engine system and components |
1.1 |
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 |
1.2 |
Piston engine and components/systems 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. |
Test piston engine |
2.1 |
Aircraft and engine are correctly prepared in accordance with applicable maintenance manual |
2.2 |
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. |
Troubleshoot piston engine |
3.1 |
Available information from maintenance documentation and inspection and test results is used, where necessary, to assist in fault determination |
3.2 |
Maintenance manual fault diagnosis guide and logical processes are used to ensure efficient and accurate troubleshooting to line replacement level |
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3.3 |
Specialist advice is obtained, where required, to assist with the troubleshooting process |
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3.4 |
Piston engine faults are located and the causes of the faults are clearly identified and correctly recorded in maintenance documentation, where required |
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3.5 |
Fault rectification requirements are determined to assist in planning the repair |
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4. |
Remove piston engine and engine system components |
4.1 |
Aircraft is prepared and supported and rendered safe in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual and isolation tags are fitted, where necessary, to ensure the safety of personnel and freedom from damage during engine removal |
4.2 |
Removal is carried out in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual while observing all relevant WHS requirements, including the use of MSDS and items of PPE |
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4.3 |
Engine is tagged and prepared for transport or storage in accordance with the specified procedures |
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4.4 |
Required maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures |
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5. |
Install piston engine and engine system components |
5.1 |
Engine to be installed is checked to confirm correct part or model numbers, modification status and serviceability |
5.2 |
Installation is carried out in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual |
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5.3 |
Support/safety equipment is removed at the appropriate time to ensure personnel safety and freedom from structural damage |
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5.4 |
Required maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures |
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6. |
Inspect and maintain fixed pitch propeller |
6.1 |
Engine is rendered safe for propeller inspection in accordance with maintenance manual or enterprise procedures |
6.2 |
Fixed pitch propeller is inspected for security, damage and deterioration in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual while observing all relevant WHS requirements, including the use of MSDS and items of PPE |
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6.3 |
Metal propeller nicks and dents within damage limits are blended out in accordance with maintenance manual procedures |
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7. |
Remove fixed pitch propeller |
7.1 |
Engine is rendered safe and the aircraft is prepared for propeller removal in accordance with maintenance manual or enterprise procedures |
7.2 |
Propeller is removed in accordance with maintenance manual procedures while observing all relevant WHS requirements, including the use of MSDS and items of PPE |
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7.3 |
Removed propeller is tagged and prepared for transport or storage in accordance with specified procedures |
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7.4 |
Required maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures |
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8. |
Install fixed pitch propeller |
8.1 |
Engine is rendered safe and the aircraft is prepared for propeller installation in accordance with maintenance manual or enterprise procedures |
8.2 |
Propeller to be installed is checked to confirm correct part or number, modification status and serviceability |
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8.3 |
Installation is carried out in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual |
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8.4 |
Required maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures |
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range of Conditions
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 components/systems include: |
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Engine and/or system operation includes: |
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Fixed pitch propellers: |
Fixed pitch propeller may include a spinner and the propeller will be made from:
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Procedures and requirements include: |
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Unit Mapping Information
Release 1 – equivalent to MEA353A Maintain basic light aircraft engines and propellers
Links
Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=ce216c9c-04d5-4b3b-9bcf-4e81d0950371