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 vapour cycle air conditioning systems to inspect, test and troubleshoot systems, and to remove and install mechanical and electrical system components during the performance of scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. Maintenance may be performed individually or as part of a team.

Compliance with applicable regulations is required where refrigerant evacuation and recharging is performed.

Applications include all aircraft vapour cycle air conditioning systems and components.

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

MEA201	Remove and install miscellaneous aircraft electrical hardware/components
MEA246	Fabricate and/or repair aircraft electrical components or parts

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.
1.	Inspect vapour cycle air conditioning systems	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	Vapour cycle air conditioning 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)
2.	Test vapour cycle air conditioning systems	2.1	Aircraft and system are correctly prepared in accordance with applicable maintenance manual
		2.2	Vapour cycle air conditioning system is tested in accordance with prescribed test procedures to establish serviceability and correct function in accordance with applicable maintenance manual
3.	Troubleshoot vapour cycle air conditioning systems	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
		3.3	Specialist advice is obtained, where required, to assist with the troubleshooting process
		3.4	Vapour cycle air conditioning system faults are located and the causes of the faults are clearly identified and correctly recorded in maintenance documentation, where required
		3.5	Fault rectification requirements are determined to assist in planning the repair
4.	Remove vapour cycle air conditioning system components	4.1	Aircraft and vapour cycle air conditioning system is 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 component removal
		4.2	Where refrigerant evacuation is necessary, evacuation is performed in accordance with regulatory requirements and maintenance manual procedures
		4.3	Component 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
		4.4	Component is tagged and prepared for transport or storage in accordance with the specified procedures
		4.5	Required maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures
5.	Install vapour cycle air conditioning system components	5.1	Component 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 while observing all relevant WHS requirements, including the use of MSDS and items of PPE
		5.3	Vapour cycle air conditioning system is recharged with refrigerant, where necessary, in accordance with maintenance manual procedures and regulatory requirements
		5.4	Vapour cycle air conditioning system is tested for correct function and freedom from refrigerant leaks if system recharging has been performed
		5.5	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.
Vapour cycle air conditioning systems include:	Refrigeration system compressor, condenser, receiver dryer, thermal expansion valve and evaporator Magnetic clutch and drive system (belt, power take-off, electric motor, hydraulic motor or pneumatic as applicable) Condenser extension and retraction system Blower Throttle system shutoff Temperature control system
Procedures and requirements include:	Industry standard procedures specified by manufacturers, regulatory authorities or the enterprise

Unit Mapping Information

Release 1 – equivalent to MEA362A Maintain aircraft vapour cycle air conditioning systems

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=ce216c9c-04d5-4b3b-9bcf-4e81d0950371

Modification History

Release 2. Application changed. Elements and Performance Criteria changed. Foundation Skills made explicit. Range of Conditions removed, and relevant information moved to Assessment Requirements. Assessment Requirements clarified. Supersedes and is equivalent to MEA285 Repair or overhaul aircraft radio frequency communication and navigation system components.

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to apply hand skills and use test equipment and knowledge of analogue and digital theory to repair or overhaul radio frequency (RF) components from aircraft communication and navigation systems.

Applications include RF communications and navigation system components from fixed and rotary wing aircraft that are repaired or overhauled in aviation maintenance workshops during scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. Work may be performed individually or as part of a team.

Repair of circuit boards is covered by MEAAVI0039 Modify and repair aircraft component single-layer printed circuit boards and MEAAVI0040 Modify and repair aircraft component multi-payer printed circuit boards.

The unit is used in workplaces that operate under the airworthiness regulatory systems of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and the Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DASA).

Any other relevant legislation, industry standards and codes of practice within Australia must be applied.

Pre-requisite Unit

MEAAVI0038 Use electronic test equipment

MEA296 Use electrical test equipment in aviation maintenance activities

Competency Field

Aviation maintenance

Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements	Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes.	Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.
1. Determine requirements	1.1 Interpret communication and navigation system component defect reports (removal tags) or customer orders and match by part and serial numbers to identify requirements 1.2 Prepare circuitry and connect to test equipment to perform functional testing or cycle through prescribed test procedures for evidence of serviceability or malfunction in accordance with the maintenance documentation 1.3 Establish modification status to assist in determining the overhaul requirements for the components 1.4 Identify and document extent of overhaul or repair in accordance with standard enterprise procedures
2. Troubleshoot RF communication and navigation system components	2.1 Use available information from maintenance records and inspection and test results to assist in fault determination 2.2 Troubleshoot aircraft RF communication and navigation system components using maintenance manual fault diagnosis guides and logic processes 2.3 Locate faults and identify and record causes of faults in required maintenance documentation 2.4 Determine requirements for fault rectification in accordance with standard enterprise procedures
3. Dismantle and inspect RF communication and navigation system components	3.1 Dismantle component parts in accordance with maintenance manuals while observing all relevant work health and safety (WHS) requirements 3.2 Assess component parts for serviceability in accordance with the relevant maintenance documentation 3.3 Tag parts requiring specialist repair and specify repair instructions 3.4 Compile and process parts lists in accordance with standard enterprise procedures
4. Repair or modify RF communication and navigation system components	4.1 Repair or replace component parts in accordance with maintenance documentation 4.2 Make required modifications to components or parts in accordance with relevant manufacturers’ bulletins or procedures
5. Assemble, test and adjust RF communication and navigation system components	5.1 Assemble component parts in accordance with specified tolerances and maintenance documents 5.2 Test assembled components and adjust or align in accordance with maintenance documentation and using appropriate test equipment 5.3 Complete and process required maintenance documentation and modification records in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance but not explicit in the performance criteria.

• Reading skills to interpret maintenance manuals, inspection procedures and specifications (allowable limits).
• Writing skills to record and report on defects and faults and their causes.
• Numeracy skills to interpret and communicate technical information and perform and interpret technical testing.

Other foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit.

Unit Mapping Information

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to MEA285 Repair or overhaul aircraft radio frequency communication and navigation system components.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=ce216c9c-04d5-4b3b-9bcf-4e81d0950371

Modification History

Release 1. Application changed. Elements and Performance Criteria changed. Foundation Skills made explicit. Range of Conditions removed, and relevant information moved to Assessment Requirements. Assessment Requirements clarified. Supersedes and is equivalent to MEA114 Certify aeronautical product maintenance.

Performance Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has completed all the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit, and demonstrated the ability to:

• certify aeronautical product maintenance on multiple different tasks fully representative of:

• scheduled maintenance
• unscheduled maintenance
• configuration changes
• modification incorporation
• repairs

• interpret and apply airworthiness compliance requirements without error in performing, recording and certifying each activity listed above
• communicate information on technical and airworthiness issues both orally and in writing.

Knowledge Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has knowledge of:

• Airworthiness Directive (AD) requirements under Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) Part 39
• maintainers’ responsibilities under CASR Parts 66, 145 and 42 Subpart F
• aviation maintenance personnel licensing requirements under CASR Part 66
• maintenance organisations requirements under CASR Part 145 and 42 Subpart F
• design organisations under CASR Part 21J and the concept of airworthiness and how it underpins the legislative framework and compliance requirements
• Maintenance Training Organisations (MTOs) under CASR Part 147
• airworthiness compliance requirements, regulatory systems and procedures relevant to performing, recording and certifying maintenance activities, as follows:

• international and national regulatory bodies and recognition agreements, including bilateral agreements
• Australian airworthiness regulatory bodies and the legislative framework
• the basis of airworthiness certification and determination of non-conformity
• procedures for release of aeronautical product to service following maintenance
• procedures for certification of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance activities
• procedures for certification of the incorporation of modifications
• procedures for certifying the completion of repairs
• determining and applying configuration management (CM) procedures
• compiling and processing service difficulty reports
• compiling and processing technical investigation reports
• compiling and processing condition reports.

Assessment Conditions

The following conditions of assessment represent the requirements of the regulators (DASA and CASA) and maintenance stakeholders and must be rigorously observed.

Skills must have been demonstrated under routine supervision in the workplace but without intervention for the purpose of log entries or in a simulated environment in a CASR Part 147 MTO that reflects workplace conditions and contingencies encountered in certifying aeronautical product maintenance, and covering interpreting and applying airworthiness control and certification requirements. The following conditions must be met for this unit:

• use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including workplace procedures, manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals, and reference materials relevant to certifying aeronautical product maintenance.

Evidence of tasks demonstrating competency must be recorded in a log of industrial experience and achievement.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

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 2. Application changed. Elements and Performance Criteria changed. Foundation Skills made explicit. Range of Conditions removed, and relevant information moved to Assessment Requirements. Assessment Requirements clarified. Supersedes and is equivalent to MEA285 Repair or overhaul aircraft radio frequency communication and navigation system components.

Performance Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has completed all the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit, and demonstrated the ability to:

• repair and overhaul aircraft radio frequency (RF) communication and navigations system components during scheduled or unscheduled maintenance on a representative range of components, applicable to the enterprise, from the following systems:

• very high frequency (VHF) communications
• high frequency (HF) communications
• ultra-high frequency (UHF) communications
• satellite communications
• emergency location transmitters (ELT)
• Aeronautical Radio Incorporated (ARINC) Communication Addressing and Reporting System
• intercommunication and public address systems
• automatic direction finding (ADF) navigation systems
• very high frequency omni-directional range (VOR) navigation systems
• instrument landing systems (ILS)
• global positioning systems (GPS)

• recognise the serviceability state and repair or overhaul requirements for aircraft RF communication and navigation system components
• perform functional testing by applying logic processes and using test equipment and appropriate wiring diagrams and manuals to isolate component faults and assess post-repair/overhaul serviceability
• apply testing procedures, cleanliness requirements and safety precautions at all times and as relevant to the systems or components being maintained
• demonstrated high precision, high reliability soldering techniques and handling of components, including application of anti-static equipment, during repair or replacement of above system components.

Knowledge Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has knowledge of:

• component and system operation
• the basic function and operation of components of RF communication and navigation systems to enable testing for fault isolation and confirmation, to determine repair or overhaul requirements, and serviceability status post-repair or overhaul
• basic principles and functions relating to radio frequency communication and navigation system components and associated with:

• advanced analogue fundamentals
• digital fundamentals
• alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) electrical systems
• electromagnetic radiation
• antenna and transmission line (including waveguide) characteristics
• radio transmission/signal propagation and frequency modulation
• GPS

• satellite communications (industry specific)
• work health and safety (WHS) requirements for aircraft RF communication and navigation systems and components
• maintenance documentation for aircraft RF communication and navigation systems and components.

Assessment Conditions

The following conditions of assessment represent the requirements of the regulators (DASA and CASA) and maintenance stakeholders and must be rigorously observed.

Skills must have been demonstrated under routine supervision in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions and contingencies encountered in repairing or overhauling aircraft RF communication and navigation system components. The following conditions must be met for this unit:

• use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:

• workplace procedures, manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals, and reference materials relevant to repairing or overhauling aircraft RF communication and navigation system components
• tools and equipment specified in maintenance documentation
• general and special-purpose tools and test equipment.

Assessment should be made across a sufficient number of components to establish the ability to apply attained skills and knowledge across the full range of RF components with the aid of applicable maintenance manuals and data.

Evidence of tasks demonstrating competency must be recorded in a log of industrial experience and achievement.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=ce216c9c-04d5-4b3b-9bcf-4e81d0950371