Installing aircraft interior panels and soft furnishings
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to install aircraft interior panels and soft furnishings, in accordance with approved procedures. It covers both fixed wing and rotary winged aircraft. You will be required to select the appropriate tools and equipment to use, based on the operations to be performed and components to be installed. The panels and trim to be installed will include items such as ceiling panels, window panels, side panels, dado panels, power support units, hard (polyvinyl fluoride film (PVF)) trim, carpets, vinyl floors, blinds, curtains, decorative panels and seat covers. The installation activities will include making all necessary checks and adjustments to ensure that the panels and trim are correctly positioned, aligned and secured and that they function as per the specification.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the installation activities undertaken and to report any problems with these activities that you cannot personally resolve, or that are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to ensure that all tools, equipment and materials used in the installation are correctly accounted for. You will need to complete all necessary job/task documentation accurately and legibly, and to work with a minimum of supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.
Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work and will provide an informed approach to applying installation techniques and procedures. You will understand the panel and trim system being installed and its application and will know about the relevant panel and trim fastening and securing devices, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities to the required specification.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the installation operations. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
- follow all relevant drawings and specifications for the installation being carried out
- use the correct tools and equipment for the installation operations and check that they are in a safe and usable condition
- install, position and secure the equipment and components in accordance with the specification
- ensure that all necessary connections to the equipment are complete
- deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
- check that the installation is complete and that all components are free from damage
- complete the relevant documentation, in accordance with organisational requirements
- leave the work area and aircraft in a safe and appropriate condition, free from foreign object debris on completion of the activities
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the specific safety practices and procedures that you need to observe when working with panels and trim (including any specific legislation, regulations/codes of practice for the activities, equipment or materials)
- the health and safety requirements of the work area in which you are carrying out the activities and the responsibility these requirements place on you
- the hazards associated with installing aircraft panels and trim and with the tools and equipment used and how to minimise them and reduce any risks
- the protective equipment that you need to use for both personal protection (PPE) and protection of the aircraft
- the interpretation of drawings, standards, quality control procedures and specifications used for the installation (including BS, ISO or BSEN schematics, symbols and terminology)
- how to carry out currency/issue checks on the specifications you are working with
- the panels and trim to be installed and their function within the particular system
- the various mechanical fasteners that will be used and their method of installation
- the importance of using the specified fasteners for the particular installation and why you must not substitute others
- the methods and techniques that are used for different types of jointing of soft furnishings
- the quality control procedures to be followed during the installation operations
- procedures for ensuring that you have the correct tools, equipment, components and fasteners for the activities
- the techniques used to position, align, adjust and secure the panels and trim to the aircraft without damage
- methods of lifting, handling and supporting the panels and trim during the installation activities
- the use of seals, sealant, adhesives and the precautions to be taken
- the procedure for the safe disposal of waste materials
- how to conduct any necessary checks to ensure the system integrity, functionality, accuracy and quality of the installation
- how to recognise installation defects (such as cosmetic appearance, poor seals, misalignment, ineffective fastening, foreign object damage or contamination)
- the importance of ensuring that the completed installation is free from dirt, swarf and foreign object damage
- the tools and equipment used in the installation activities and their care and control procedures
- why tool/equipment control is critical, and what to do if a tool or piece of equipment is unaccounted for on completion of the activities
- the problems that can occur with the installation operations and how these can be overcome
- the recording documentation to be completed for the activities undertaken
- the extent of your own responsibility and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Carry out all of the following during the installation activities:
- obtain and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, aircraft installation drawings, planning and quality control documentation, aircraft procedures and specifications)
- adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, COSHH, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations and procedures to realise a safe system of work
- provide and maintain a safe working environment for the installation activities
- obtain the correct tools and equipment for the activity and check that they are in a safe, tested and usable condition and within current calibration date
- obtain clearance to work on the aircraft and observe the power isolation and safety procedures
- ensure that correct part numbers are used, including (where appropriate) left or right handed parts
- follow safe practice/approved installation techniques and procedures at all times
- return all tools and equipment to the correct location on completion of the installation activities
- dispose of waste materials in accordance with approved procedures
Install four items of panel system from the following:
- ceiling panels
- side panels
- power support units
- window panels
- dado panels
- hard trim (PVR)
- other specific item
Install two items of trim system from the following:
- carpets
- blinds
- decorative panels
- vinyl floors
- curtains
- seat covers
Apply all of the following installation methods and techniques:
- positioning and aligning
- functional checks
- manual handling
Use five of the following types of jointing techniques:
- threaded fasteners
- adhesive spray
- screws
- hand gluing
- quick release fasteners
- hook and loop tape
- adhesive brush
- heat gun
- carpet iron
- adhesive tapes
Carry out all of the following quality and accuracy checks during the installation:
- cosmetic appearance
- accuracy of furnishing lines
- freedom from damage
Carry out installations in compliance with one of the following standards:
- Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)/European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
- Ministry of Defence (MoD)
- Military Aviation Authority (MAA)
- Aerospace Quality Management Standards (AS)
- customer standards and requirements
- Federal Aviation Authority (FAA)
- company standards and procedures
- BS, ISO or BSEN standards and procedures
- manufacturers standards and procedures
Complete the relevant paperwork, to include one from the following and pass it to the appropriate people:
- build records
- aircraft flight log
- log cards
- job cards
- other specific recording method
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
You will be able to apply the appropriate behaviours required in the workplace to meet the job profile and overall company objectives, such as:
- strong work ethic
- positive attitude
- team player
- dependability
- responsibility
- honesty
- integrity
- motivation
- commitment