Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 2:42 PM AWST

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Remove light corrosion from aircraft

Remove light corrosion from aircraft

Unit of competency
National Code
MEA414A
State Code
W8462
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
23/01/2012
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
17/06/2014
Field of Education
031503 - Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
Original Release Date
17/06/2014
Nominal Hours
80
Description
This unit covers the competencies required to remove light corrosion from the surfaces of aircraft structure. No licensing requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, but compliance with legislation and regulations governing handling and disposal of hazardous materials is included in the unit. This unit is used in workplaces that operate under the airworthiness regulatory systems of the ADF and CASA.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Identify corrosion damage
  • 1.1. Signs of corrosion are identified through visual inspection
  • 1.2. The type of corrosion is identified
  • 1.3. The severity of corrosion damage is determined and damage more severe than light surface corrosion is documented and reported in accordance with standard enterprise procedures
2. Remove light corrosion
  • 2.1. The applicable corrosion removal method is selected in accordance with enterprise procedures
  • 2.2. OHS requirements are identified and complied with and PPE is checked for correct fit and function
  • 2.3. Materials and tools required for corrosion removal are assembled
  • 2.4. Surface is prepared and corrosion removed using the selected removal method
3. Clean area and equipment
  • 3.1. Surface is cleaned of all chemical residue and mechanical media, in accordance with enterprise procedures, ready for the next process
  • 3.2. Equipment is cleaned in accordance with enterprise procedures or manufacturer's instructions
  • 3.3. Equipment is checked for serviceability and unserviceable items are dealt with in accordance with enterprise procedures
  • 3.4. Waste material is removed and disposed of or stored in accordance with legislative, regulatory and enterprise procedures
  • 3.5. Documentation is completed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures
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.
Application
Application of this unit may relate to:
scheduled or unscheduled maintenance
individual or team-related activities
Procedures and requirements
Refer to industry standard procedures specified by manufacturers, regulatory authorities or the enterprise
Signs of corrosion
Signs of corrosion may include:
surface deformed
paint blistered or flaked
powder
discolouration
Types of corrosion
The type of corrosion may be:
uniform etch
pitting
intergranular
exfoliation
filiform
galvanic
OHS requirements
OHS requirements are identified from relevant:
state/territory/Commonwealth OHS legislation, regulations and codes
procedures manual
safety manual
work instructions
maintenance organisation manual
MSDS
Defence regulations and instructions
standing instructions
Materials and tools
Materials and tools may include:
micro grinder
sanders
plastic media blasting equipment
abrasive pads
wet/dry abrasive papers
chemicals
PPE applicable to task
Selected removal methods
Selected removal methods may include:
light mechanical using micro grinder, sander or plastic media blasting
manual removal using wet/dry abrasive papers or abrasive pads
chemical
Legislative, regulatory and enterprise procedures
Legislative, regulatory and enterprise procedures may include:
state/territory/Commonwealth environmental legislation, regulations and codes for the storage and disposal of hazardous and toxic materials
MSDS
maintenance organisation manual
procedures manual
work instructions
relevant Defence regulations and instructions
standing instructions
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 remove light corrosion from the surfaces of aircraft structure in accordance with specified procedures while using the correct PPE and observing all relevant safety precautions and environmental protection 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 tasks involving the removal of light corrosion damage from the surfaces of aircraft structure. It is essential that applicable processes, cleanliness requirements and safety precautions, including the correct use of PPE, and application of environmental protection procedures are fully observed, understood and complied with. Ability to interpret corrosion removal procedures and apply them in practice is critical.
Evidence of transferability of skills and knowledge related to the removal of light corrosion is essential. This is to be demonstrated through corrosion removal using mechanical, manual and chemical means across a range of aircraft tasks. The work plan should take account of applicable safety and quality requirements in accordance with the industry and regulatory standards.
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 on a representative range of light corrosion removal tasks using applicable mechanical, manual and chemical removal methods as listed in the Range Statement. This shall be established via the records in the Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement or, where appropriate, an equivalent Industry Evidence Guide.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace using materials, tools and equipment specified in the maintenance manuals and applicable procedures. It is also expected that general and special purpose tools and ground support equipment would be used where appropriate.
Method of assessment

Guidance information for assessment
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
AUF88 MEA414 Remove light corrosion from aircraft Unit of competency