Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:08 AM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Apply specialty coatings to aircraft

Apply specialty coatings to aircraft

Unit of competency
National Code
MEA417A
State Code
W8465
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
10/05/2012
Field of Education
031599 - Aerospace Engineering And Technology, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
10/05/2012
Nominal Hours
80
Description
This unit covers the competencies required to apply a range of specialty coatings to aircraft. 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. Determine specialty coating requirements
  • 1.1. Specialty coating requirements are identified from maintenance documentation and enterprise procedures
  • 1.2. Enterprise procedures and maintenance publications are used to identify materials and tools to be used for specialty coating application
  • 1.3. Aircraft or component identification is matched with relevant maintenance documentation
2. Prepare surface for coating application
  • 2.1. OHS requirements are identified and complied with and PPE is checked for correct fit and function
  • 2.2. Materials and equipment required for specialty coating application are assembled
  • 2.3. Surfaces are cleaned and degreased in accordance with enterprise procedures
  • 2.4. Final finishing of surfaces is performed in accordance with enterprise procedures and/or process specifications
  • 2.5. Reject parts and surfaces are identified, recorded and reported in accordance with standard enterprise procedures
  • 2.6. Masking is applied to relevant areas
3. Prepare and apply coating
  • 3.1. The required coating is prepared in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and directions
  • 3.2. Coating mix is inspected in accordance with enterprise procedures and/or process specifications
  • 3.3. Coating is applied to the required surfaces in accordance with enterprise procedures and/or process specifications
  • 3.4. Coating is inspected for coating thickness and quality compliance with enterprise procedures and/or process specifications
  • 3.5. Defects in the coating are identified and rectified, as required
  • 3.6. Masking materials are removed and final cleaning of surfaces is performed
  • 3.7. Documentation is completed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures.
4. Clean up work area and maintain equipment
  • 4.1. Waste material is removed and disposed of or stored in accordance with legislative, regulatory and enterprise procedures
  • 4.2. Equipment is cleaned in accordance with enterprise procedures or manufacturer's instructions
  • 4.3. Equipment is checked for serviceability and unserviceable items are dealt with in accordance with enterprise procedures
  • 4.4. Tools are cleaned and maintained in accordance with enterprise procedures
  • 4.5. Work area is cleaned and inspected for serviceable condition
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
Specialty coatings
Specialty coatings may include:
specialised inner layer coatings
engine coatings
leading edge coatings
radome coatings
waterborne heatproof paints
walkway compounds
fuel tank coatings
heatproof coatings
electrical conductive coatings
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 equipment
Materials and equipment may include:
chemicals
cleaning materials
specialty coating material
various spray guns
brush
roller
trowel
PPE
baking oven
heat lamps
electrical test equipment
wet film thickness gauges
Defects in the coating
Defects in the coating may include:
sags
runs
delamination
imperfections
dry spray
contamination
over-spray
egress
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 correctly apply a range of aerospace specialty coatings to aircraft surfaces in accordance with specified procedures and drawings 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 specialty coating application tasks associated with aircraft. It is essential that 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 drawing and specification requirements and application procedures and apply them in practice is critical.
Evidence of transferability of skills and knowledge related to the application of a range of specialty coatings is essential. This is to be demonstrated through application of various types of specialty coatings as listed in the Range Statement across a range of aircraft applications. 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 minimum of two (2) types of specialty coating on at least three (3) application tasks. 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
AUE40 MEA417 Apply specialty coatings to aircraft Unit of competency