Unit of competency details

MEA101B

Interpret occupational health and safety practices in aviation maintenance

MEA103B

Plan and organise aviation maintenance work activity

MEA105C

Apply quality standards applicable to aviation maintenance processes

MEA107B

Interpret and use aviation maintenance industry manuals and specifications

MEA108B

Complete aviation maintenance industry documentation

MEA109B

Perform basic hand skills, standard trade practices and fundamentals in aviation maintenance

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1

Inspect aircraft structure

1.1

Relevant maintenance documentation is used to identify specific inspection requirements

1.2

Appropriate preparation and access to the aircraft structure is undertaken to allow for proper inspection in accordance with maintenance documentation

1.3

Aircraft structure is visually or physically checked for signs of deformation defects or damage in accordance with maintenance documentation and approved procedures

1.4

Damage or defects  are assessed against damage or wear limits specified by structural repair manual or other approved data to determine if repair or replacement is required

1.5

Maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

2

Prepare to undertake repair

2.1

Extent of damage is correctly assessed to assist in determining repair procedure

2.1

Appropriate repair scheme is identified in accordance with structural repair manual and/or approved data

2.3

Specialist advice  is obtained in establishing an approved repair scheme where a standard repair scheme cannot be identified or damage is out of limits

2.4

All materials and equipment required are organised

3

Repair and maintain aircraft structure

3.1

Structural repairs  are performed, in accordance with approved repair scheme, ensuring that aircraft standard practices are used and process requirements are carried out

3.2

Preventative maintenance techniques are employed to preserve the integrity of aircraft structure

3.3

Work area is cleaned of all waste material or contaminants

3.4

Required maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

4

Remove components

4.1

Structure is supported and prepared in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual to ensure personnel safety and freedom from damage to aircraft or component during component removal

4.2

Component  removal is carried out in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual

4.3

Required maintenance documentation  is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

4.4

Where applicable, removed components are tagged and prepared for transport in accordance with specified procedures

5

Install components

5.1

Structural and/or non-structural components to be installed are checked to confirm correct part numbers, serviceability and modification status

5.2

Component installation is carried out in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual

5.3

Support/safety equipment is removed at an appropriate time to ensure personnel safety and freedom from structural damage

5.4

Required maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge of:

• applicable OHS procedures, including the use of PPE and MSDS
• construction methods and materials used in:

• fuselage sections
• wing sections
• engine nacelles and mounts
• windows and window frames
• doors, locks and access panels

• definition of structural terms, i.e. safe life, damage tolerant, failsafe, stress, strain, shear and cycles
• inspection requirements for metal and composite structure, including:

• ageing aircraft inspection requirements
• safe life structure
• damage tolerant structure
• fail safe structure

• potential causes of structural failure
• NDT methods and application of the various techniques
• construction methods of, and assessing common defects in, aircraft plastic transparencies
• basic constructional features of, and assessing common defects in, glass windscreens
• the various forms of structural corrosion, stating the causes and structural effects of corrosion on aircraft
• the terms associated with composite materials and types of composite materials
• requirements for handling and storing aircraft metals and composite materials, including sealing agents, to industry standards
• means of identifying aircraft structural assembly fasteners (metal and composite) by interpretation of markings, numbering systems, size, shape and colour
• structural and non-structural component methods of attachment, faying surface treatment and fuel tank sealing
• non-pressurised fuselage aircraft doors, related seals and window and transparent panel attachment methods and sealing
• aircraft interior fittings (trim, linings, seats and floor panels) construction and attachment methods
• the location and attachment or stowage methods for emergency equipment
• assessment of structural damage:

• types and classes of mechanical damage
• types of corrosion and determining the extent of damage
• relevant documentation and manuals
• damage limits and repair schemes for metallic and non-metallic structure

• procedures for the fabrication and fitment of metal repairs:

• scab patch
• flush patch
• splice
• lap
• formed section

• corrosion removal and passivation
• procedures for performing composite repairs:

• external patch
• scarf patch
• stepped repairs
• bolted repairs

• repair of integral fuel tanks and sealing of faying surfaces, including specific OHS and PPE requirements
• surface finishes and methods of restoration, including specific OHS and PPE requirements
• how to obtain MSDS
• relevant maintenance and structural repair manuals
• relevant regulatory requirements and standard procedures

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

• applying all relevant OHS procedures, including the selection and use of MSDS and applicable items of PPE
• demonstrating appropriate cleaning procedures to enable structure inspection
• demonstrating correct inspection procedures in accordance with aircraft and procedures manuals
• identifying damage to aircraft metallic (ferrous and non-ferrous) structures and/or components by way of impact, fatigue or the various types of corrosion
• inspecting damage and assessing composite components/structures
• identifying various aircraft metals and their basic properties
• identifying composite materials used in aircraft construction, associated safety precautions and hazards
• correctly interpreting repair scheme drawings, including third angle projection, isometric, sectional formats and hand sketches
• using appropriate hand tools and machines, including riveting equipment, drilling equipment, aligning tools and material fasteners (grip pins)
• applying correct removal, installation and repair techniques for:

• a range of rivets (blind and solid) using hand, squeeze and pneumatic situations
• a range of close tolerance fasteners (standard and oversize – hillocks and taper locks), including hole preparation
• threaded devices, including internal and external thread cutting, Helicoil inserts and damaged stud replacement
• hardware assembled by close tolerance fits using heat, cooling and force methods, including bearings, bushes and inserts

• performing a range of metal structure and composite material repair techniques, including:

• metal scab patch, flush, splice, lap and formed section repair
• composite external patch, scarf, stepped and bolted repairs
• metal to metal and metal to composite bonding

• applying structural corrosion removal/treatment techniques
• restoring aircraft structure sealing and surface finishes
• using relevant maintenance documentation and aircraft manuals to:

• remove and install structural and non-structural components
• remove and install aircraft interior fittings
• remove and install doors, door seals, windows and transparent panels

• checking and adjusting all doors and access panels, including locking mechanisms
• removing and installing emergency equipment

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to inspect and maintain aircraft structure, perform a range of metal and composite structural repair tasks and remove and install structural and non-structural components that are representative of the scope of the listed variables in accordance with relevant maintenance documentation while applying all relevant OHS procedures and standard processes.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable across a range of inspection, testing and repair applications associated with aircraft maintenance. It is essential that the procedures take into account all aircraft and personal safety precautions relating to aircraft structure.

Evidence of transferability of skills and knowledge related to inspection, testing and repair of aircraft structure is essential. This may be demonstrated through application across a number of aircraft systems or aircraft types. Ability to interpret inspection and repair procedures and specifications and apply them in practice is critical. The application of the procedures should also clearly indicate knowledge of structural flight loads and aerodynamic requirements.

A person cannot be assessed as competent until it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the workplace assessor that the relevant elements of the unit of competency are being achieved under routine supervision across the variables in the Range Statement as follows:

• inspection and/or testing of at least one item from each of Groups 1 to 8
• recognition of each type of damage in Groups 9 to 12
• one repair task from each of Groups 13 to 20
• one removal and installation task from each of Groups 21 to 25.

This shall be established via the records in the Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency should be assessed in the work environment or simulated work environment using tools and equipment specified in maintenance documentation. It is also expected that general purpose tools and test equipment found in most routine situations would be used where appropriate.

Method of assessment 

Guidance information for assessment 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Note 

Range statements listed below are numbered to facilitate specification of the assessment requirements included in the Evidence Guide

Inspection and repair of aircraft structure and removable components of structure 

Inspection of aircraft structure includes:

• Non-ferrous and ferrous alloys and composite (FRP) materials used in aircraft construction
• Structural fastening and attachment hardware and/or devices
• Seals and sealants
• Glass and moulded plastics
• Application of NDT techniques
• Doors, hinges and locking mechanisms for damage/misalignment
• Inspections applicable to each of safe life, damage tolerant and fail safe structure relevant to enterprise
• Ageing aircraft inspection programs

Damage or defects 

Damage or defects may include:

9. Impact damage

10. Fatigue cracking

11. Corrosion

12. Delamination of composites and bonded structures

Structural repairs 

Structural repairs may include the following:

13. Remove corrosion by chemical and mechanical methods

14. Restore protective coatings

15. Apply sealants and jointing compounds

16. Freehand precision hole generation

17. Remove and install structural hardware and fastening devices

18. Remove and replace bushes, bearings and bearing surfaces

19. Metal scab patch, flush, splice, lap and formed section repair

20. Composite external patch, scarf, stepped and bolted repairs

Removable components 

Removable components of structure:

• are those that are installed using bolts and/or screws. Where component removal and installation requires the removal and installation of rivets the applicable unit is MEA311D Inspect and repair/modify aircraft structures

Components 

Components may include:

21. Removable components of wings, tail booms, pylons, empennage, skids, fairings and nacelles

22. Removable components or sections of non-pressurised fuselages

23. Non-pressurised fuselage entry, cargo, access doors and associated seals (including checking and adjustment of all doors and access panels and associated locking mechanisms)

24. Non-pressurised fuselage windows and transparent panels

25. Floor panels

Specialist advice  

Specialist advice is obtained from:

• supervisors
• specialist structures personnel

Documentation 

Relevant maintenance documentation includes:

• servicing schedules
• maintenance manuals

Application  

Application of this unit may relate to:

• scheduled or unscheduled maintenance, including special inspections required after events, such as heavy landings, overstress or flight through heavy turbulence
• individual or team-related activities

Procedures and requirements 

Refer to industry standard procedures specified by manufacturers, regulatory authorities or the enterprise