Elements and Performance Criteria

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
Inspection of aircraft structure includes:
1. Non-ferrous and ferrous alloys and composite (FRP) materials used in aircraft construction
2. Structural fastening and attachment hardware and/or devices
3. Seals and sealants
4. Glass and moulded plastics
5. Application of NDT techniques
6. Doors, hinges and locking mechanisms for damage/misalignment
7. Inspections applicable to each of safe life, damage tolerant and fail safe structure relevant to enterprise
8. 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
Specialist advice
Specialist advice is obtained from:
supervisors
specialist structures personnel
Relevant maintenance documentation
Relevant maintenance documentation includes:
servicing schedules
maintenance manuals
applicable Defence regulations and instructions
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

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 and perform a range of metal and composite structural repair tasks 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.
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
Individuals being assessed who have already attained MEA311D Inspect and repair/modify aircraft structures, or MEA363B Inspect, repair and maintain structures and related components of non-pressurised small aircraft, will have met the requirements of the Performance Criteria and Range Statement variables for Elements 1 to 3 for common Range Statement variables. Those who have attained MEA401C Maintain aircraft structure/components, will have met the Performance Criteria and Range Statement variables requirements for Element 1. Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement records relating to MEA311D Inspect and repair/modify aircraft structures, MEA363B Inspect, repair and maintain structures and related components of non-pressurised small aircraft, and MEA401C Maintain aircraft structure/components, may be accepted as also meeting the evidence requirements for this unit in the applicable areas.