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Aircraft Maintenance Practices

  • Module code: AE6002
  • Year: 2018/9
  • Level: 6
  • Credits: 30
  • Pre-requisites: None
  • Co-requisites: None

Summary

This module is the culmination of the course. In the practical element of this module, students put into practice the knowledge and experience gained from all of the other modules in the programme. Students will have completed the maintenance practices modules and will therefore be well aware of the standard procedures and practices associated with aircraft maintenance; they will also have had the opportunity to gain some experience of the skills required. During the module students will be expected to display maturity, integrity and responsibility, and will need to demonstrate key skills such as: problem solving; time management and planning; interpersonal communication; and the ability to work as an individual or as a member of a team. By the end of the module, students will be expected to have demonstrated that they are capable of performing maintenance tasks confidently, correctly and safely with minimal supervision, whilst still appreciating and understanding that they still have a lot to learn. 

The group project element of this module is designed to encourage independent learning and develop the skills required of those holding senior posts in the aviation industry; particularly in the field of aircraft maintenance. It therefore provides an ideal opportunity for the student to develop and demonstrate a number of intellectual, practical and transferable skills. Students will be given a group exercise in which they work together to produce a realistic and cost effective maintenance solution for an airline operation. The details of which (routes, flight schedule, aircraft details etc.) are provided by the course team. The project involves reviewing the "scenario" to determine the exact requirements, planning for successful completion of the project, identifying options and determining costs through research, analysing data collected and formulating an evidence-based solution and presenting the findings. As part of the project, students will produce a project plan, do a group presentation, produce a substantial written report, and maintain a project log book.

Aims

The aims of this module are to:

  • Provide students with an opportunity to perform maintenance activities and develop their analytical skills through defect diagnosis and damage assessment.
  • Give students an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the legal framework within which aircraft engineers work and the human factors that can affect performance and safety.
  • To provide students with an understanding of the broader aspects of aircraft maintenance operations.

Learning outcomes

The aims of this module are to:

  • Provide students with an opportunity to perform maintenance activities and develop their analytical skills through defect diagnosis and damage assessment.
  • Give students an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the legal framework within which aircraft engineers work and the human factors that can affect performance and safety.
  • To provide students with an understanding of the broader aspects of aircraft maintenance operations.

Curriculum content

This module covers the content of EASA Part-66 syllabuses for Module 9 - Human Factors and Module 10 - Aviation Legislation to the category B1.1 licence level.

This module also provides an opportunity for students to put into practice the knowledge and skills they have gained from the other modules by completing a set of aircraft maintenance activities and a group project. The curriculum will include:

  • Human performance and limitations.
  • Social psychology and factors that affect performance.
  • The physical environment, the tasks, communication, human errors and hazards in the workplace.
  • The aviation regulatory framework, Part-66, Part-145, Part-M subpart F and air operations.
  • The certification of aircraft, parts and appliances and continuing airworthiness.
  • Applicable national and international requirements for maintenance programmes and continuing airworthiness.
  • Removal, refitment, replacement and repair of structure, components and equipment; and disassembly and assembly techniques.
  • Inspection, measurement and non-destructive testing.
  • Fault diagnosis and rectification, functional and serviceability testing, and standard inspections and checks.
  • Maintenance cost drivers.
  • Airline logistics and cooperative logistic support strategies.
  • Network diagrams and network analysis.

Teaching and learning strategy

The learning outcomes of this module will be achieved primarily through the completion of practical maintenance activities and a group project. However, the human factors and aviation legislation material will be delivered through lectures for which students will be given comprehensive teaching material.

The practical maintenance activities will generally be carried out in workshops and simulated and/or real maintenance environments. However, fault finding exercises requiring only the use of wiring and/or schematic diagrams can be carried out in a classroom. All activities will be supervised but the aim is to develop the skills and confidence of the students and to reduce their dependency on input from staff.

The group project in this module will be the third group activity in the programme and students will have learnt the fundamentals of project planning in AE5004 Professional Practice for Aircraft Engineers delivered in year two. Therefore, students will be expected to work together as a group to plan, manage and complete the project with minimal input from staff.

Experience gained during the practical elements of the module and informal in-class tests during the lectures on human factors and legislation will enable students to gauge their level of knowledge and understanding and to prepare them for the final examination. Students will also be provided with worked and practice questions to help them develop their fault finding skills. 

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Definitive UNISTATS Category Indicative Description Hours
Scheduled learning and teaching Practical activities 120
Guided independent study 180
Study abroad / placement
Total (number of credits x 10) 300

Assessment strategy

The summative assessment for this module consists of a group project, a portfolio of maintenance activities and an end-of-module written examination.

The aircraft maintenance activities will be carried out in workshops and simulated and/or real maintenance environments. Students will normally be supervised whilst completing the activities and will receive feedback and advice on how they are performing and progressing. The amount of guidance given will depend on the task being carried out and the ability and confidence of the individual student. To pass the module, students will need to demonstrate that they are capable of performing typical aircraft maintenance activities competently and safely and with due regard to flight safety and the airworthiness of aircraft. Because of the way the assessment is managed, grades are limited to: fail F2, bare pass D-, good B-, excellent A. The final grade awarded depends on the level of competence demonstrated and the amount of guidance needed throughout the module.

The group project will normally be aircraft maintenance engineering related. As part of the project, students will produce a project plan, do a group presentation, produce a substantial written report, and maintain a project log book. All of which will be assessed.

The end-of-module examination will be a 3 hour, two-part paper: part-1 (40%) covering legislation and Human Factors, Part-2 (60%) covering fault finding questions.

Assessment - Aviation Authority Approved programmes

Students completing this module on an aviation authority approved training course will be expected to complete all of the assessment associated with the approved course. A failure to do may result in a loss of the benefits associated with study on an aviation authority approved course.

Details of the assessment students are required to complete on aviation authority approved courses will be given in the relevant course handbook issued at the start of the course. It should be noted that aviation authority assessment will be changed, if and when necessary, to ensure continued compliance with the approval.

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Learning Outcome Assessment Strategy
1. Perform aircraft maintenance activities requiring the synthesis of knowledge, understanding and skills obtained from other modules in the programme. Coursework Written examination
2. Analyse the operation of aircraft systems to confirm serviceability and diagnose defects, and assess damage to aircraft structures and equipment. Written examination
3. Recognise the value of aviation legislation and appraise the impact it has on aircraft maintenance and the work of aircraft maintenance engineers. Written examination
4. Critically evaluate the impact that human factors can have on personal performance, maintenance operations and flight safety. Coursework Written examination
5. Compare and contrast different approaches to maintaining aircraft and produce a realistic maintenance solution for a typical airline operation Coursework
6. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subject matter in the EASA Part-66 syllabus for Human Factors and Aviation Legislation (modules 9 and 10). Coursework Written examination

Elements of Assessment

Description of Assessment Definitive UNISTATS Categories Percentage
Written Exam Written Exam 30%
Written Exam Coursework 50%
Portfolio of maintenance activities Coursework 20%
Total (to equal 100%) 100%

Achieving a pass

It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.

Bibliography core texts

The documents associated with the maintenance of aircraft: Maintenance manuals, structural repair manuals, troubleshooting manuals, service bulletins etc.

All forms of documentation related to the environment in which the student is working: company policies, procedures, and work instructions, aviation authority documentation, maintenance control forms, work packs etc.

Bibliography recommended reading

This module is involves putting into practice the knowledge and experience gained in the other modules of the course. Therefore, the bibliographies of the other course modules should be consulted.

The following Civil Aviation Publications (CAPs) should also be consulted. They can be accessed for free on-line at: http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=33

Civil Aviation Authority (2002)  CAP 715 - Introduction to aircraft maintenance engineering human factors for EASA Part 66

Civil Aviation Authority (2003)  CAP 716 - Aviation maintenance human factors (EASA/EASA 145 approved organisations)

Civil Aviation Authority (2002)  CAP 718 - Human factors in aircraft maintenance and inspection

Civil Aviation Authority (2002)  CAP 719 - Fundamental human factors concepts

Civil Aviation Authority (2003)  CAP 393 - Air navigation: the order and the regulations

Civil Aviation Authority (2004)  CAP 455 - Airworthiness notices

Civil Aviation Authority (2003)  CAP 553 - BCAR Section A airworthiness procedures

Civil Aviation Authority (2004)  CAP 474 - Foreign airworthiness directives

Civil Aviation Authority (2003)  CAP 468 - BCAR Section Licensing - aircraft maintenance engineers

Civil Aviation Authority (2004)  CAP 473 - Foreign airworthiness directives Vols 1 and 2 - CAA additional airworthiness directives

Civil Aviation Authority (2002)  CAP 520  - Light aircraft maintenance

Civil Aviation Authority (2004)  CAP 476  - Mandatory aircraft modifications and inspections summary

Aviation Authority Approval - Course Material

Aviation authorities normally require approved training organisations to produce and maintain training material for the modules associated with the courses they deliver under their approval.  Students on aviation authority approved courses will be provided with training material in accordance with the requirements of the approval and the conditions specified by the training organisation. Partner organisations may charge for this material.

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