Installing aircraft communication systems
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to install aircraft communication systems, in accordance with approved procedures. It covers both fixed wing and rotary winged aircraft. You will be required to use appropriate installation drawings and specifications to install the various items of equipment. You will be expected to position, align and secure equipment in its correct locations, using specified/appropriate techniques and fastening devices. The communication equipment will include intercom (clear), intercom (secure), high frequency (HF) radio, very high frequency (VHF) radio, ultra high frequency (UHF) radio, cockpit voice recorder, crash position indicators, digital data links, secure radio links, flight entertainment systems, satellite communications (SATCOM) and selective calling (SELCAL).
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the installation activities undertaken and to report any problems with the activities, components or equipment that you cannot personally resolve, or that are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected 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 aircraft communication systems being installed, and their application, and will know about the installation, techniques, tools and methods, 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 aircraft and the work area 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 aircraft communication systems (including any specific legislation, regulations/codes of practice for the activities, equipment or materials)
- the health and safety requirements of the work area where you are carrying out the activities and the responsibility these requirements place on you
- the hazards associated with installing aircraft communication systems, 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 precautions to be taken to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage to circuits and sensitive components (such as use of earthed wrist straps)
what constitutes a hazardous voltage and how to recognise victims of electric shock
how to reduce the risks of a phase to earth shock (such as insulated tools, rubber matting and isolating transformers)
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 components to be installed and their function within the particular communications system
- the various mechanical fasteners that will be used and their method of installation (such as open and blind rivets, threaded fasteners, special securing devices)
- the importance of using the specified fasteners for the particular installation and why you must not substitute others
- why securing devices need to be locked and labelled and the different methods that are used
- the torque loading requirements of the fasteners and what to do if these loadings are exceeded or not achieved
- 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 components to the aircraft without damage
- methods of lifting, handling and supporting the components/equipment during the installation activities
- the use of seals, sealant, adhesives and anti-electrolysis barriers and the precautions to be taken
- why electrical bonding is critical and why it must be both mechanically and electrically secure
- 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 poor seals, misalignment, ineffective fasteners, foreign object damage or contamination)
- the importance of ensuring that the completed installation is free from dirt, swarf and foreign object damage and of ensuring that any exposed components or pipe ends are correctly covered/protected
- the tools and equipment used in the installation activities and their calibration/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 and where appropriate, the importance of marking and identifying specific pieces of work in relation to the documentation
- 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, installation drawings, planning and quality control documentation, aircraft standards 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 all relevant isolation and safety procedures
- 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 aircraft communication systems which include both of the following:
- VHF radio
- intercom (clear)
plus four more items from the following:
3. secure radio links
4. cockpit voice recorder
5. crash position indicators
6. SELCAL
7. HF radio
8. SATCOM
9. flight entertainment systems
10. GPS systems
11. UHF radio
12. digital data links
13. intercom (secure speech)
14. aircraft communication address reporting system (ACARS)
15. interphone (such as internal communications)
16. audio integrating (such as microphones, headphones, cockpit loudspeakers)
17. integrated automatic tuning (such as digital data links)
18. audio and video monitoring (such as voice recorders, passenger conversation/movement, external cameras)
19. other specific communication system
Install ten of the following aircraft communication system components:
- aerials
- tuning units
- transponders
- intercom station boxes
- receiver units
- unit trays
- control units
- transformers
- satellite beacons
- transmitter units
- microphone units
- speakers
- switches
- relays
- circuit breakers
- instruments/gauges/indicators
- other specific communications components
Use all of the following installation methods and techniques:
- levelling and aligning
- earth bonding
- taking electrostatic discharge ESD precautions
- securing and locking
Make three of the following types of mechanical securing connection:
- threaded fasteners
- locking devices
- screws
- torque load bolts
- quick-release fasteners
Make five of the following types of electrical connection:
- co-axial
- overall screened
- terminal blocks
- tray-mounted sockets
- tri-axial
- module blocks
- free plugs and sockets
- earth bonding points
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
- log cards
- job cards
- aircraft flight log
- 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