Undertaking fault diagnosis on installed aircraft armament systems
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to undertake fault diagnosis on installed aircraft armament systems, in accordance with approved procedures. It covers both fixed wing and rotary winged aircraft. You will be required to diagnose faults on installed armament systems such as guns, defensive aids, rocket, missile, depth charge, bomb and weapon release systems, involving two or more of the following interactive technologies: mechanical, electrical, fluid and air/gas systems, at assembly and sub-assembly or component level. You will be expected to use a variety of fault diagnosis methods and techniques and to utilise a number of diagnostic aids and equipment. From the evidence gained, you will be expected to identify the fault and its probable cause and to suggest appropriate action to remedy the problem.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the fault diagnostic activities undertaken and to report any problems with these activities, or with the tools and equipment used 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 fault diagnosis procedures to installed aircraft armament systems. You will understand the various fault diagnosis methods and techniques used and their application. You will know how to apply and interpret information obtained from diagnostic aids and equipment, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities and identifying faults or conditions that are outside the acceptable specification. You will know about the interaction of the other associated, integrated technologies and will have sufficient knowledge to carry out fault diagnosis of the installed armament systems effectively.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the fault diagnosis activities, especially those for isolating the equipment. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout and will understand your responsibility for taking the necessary safeguards to protect 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
- review and use all relevant information on the symptoms and problems associated with the system
- investigate and establish the most likely causes of the faults
- select, use and apply diagnostic techniques, tools and aids to locate faults
- complete the fault diagnosis within the agreed time and inform the appropriate people when this cannot be achieved
- determine the implications of the fault for other work and for safety considerations
- use the evidence gained to draw valid conclusions about the nature and probable cause of the fault
- record details on the extent and location of the faults in an appropriate format
- leave the aircraft and the system 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 health and safety requirements of the area in which you are carrying out the fault diagnostic activities
- the specific safety precautions to be taken when carrying out the fault diagnosis of installed aircraft armament systems (such as any specific legislation, regulations or codes of practice relating to the activities, equipment or materials)
- the isolation procedures or permit-to-work procedure that applies
- the requirements and importance of understanding and applying human factors as defined by the regulatory requirements and the potential impact if these are not adhered to
- the importance of wearing protective clothing and other appropriate safety equipment (PPE) during the fault diagnostic process
- the types of safety equipment to be used and where to obtain it
hazards associated with carrying out fault diagnosis on installed armament systems (such as handling oils and greases, electrical contact, using faulty or damaged tools and equipment, using practices/procedures that do not follow laid-down procedures) and how to minimise them and reduce any risks
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)
- where to obtain and how to interpret, drawings, circuit diagrams, specifications, manufacturers' manuals and other documents needed in the fault diagnostic process
- the various fault finding techniques that can be used and how they are applied (such as half-split, input-to- output, emergent problem sequence, six point technique, function testing, unit substitution, injection and sampling techniques and equipment self-diagnostics)
- how to evaluate the various types of information available for fault diagnosis (such as user reports, monitoring equipment, sensory input, equipment history records, and operation of the equipment)
- how to make use of sensory information by sight, sound, smell, touch
- the procedures to be followed to investigate faults and how to deal with intermittent conditions
- how to use the various aids and reports available for fault diagnosis
- the types of equipment that can be used to aid fault diagnosis (such as mechanical measuring instruments, electrical measuring instruments) and how to check that it is calibrated or configured correctly for the intended use and that it is free from damage and defects
- 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 application of specific fault finding methods and techniques best suited to the problem
- how to analyse characteristics and evaluate possible causes of specific faults/problems
- how to relate previous reports/records of similar fault conditions
- how to evaluate the likely risk of running the equipment with the fault and the effects that the fault could have on the overall operation
- how to prepare a report which complies with the company policy on fault diagnosis
- 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 fault diagnostic activities:
- plan the fault diagnosis to cause minimal disruption to normal working
- obtain and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings and other relevant maintenance documentation)
- 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 diagnostic 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 certification/calibration date
- obtain clearance to work on the aircraft and observe all relevant safety procedures
- ensure the safe isolation of equipment (such as mechanical or electrical)
- carry out the fault diagnostic activities, using approved techniques and procedures
- identify the fault and determine appropriate corrective action
- return all tools and equipment to the correct location on completion of the activities
Carry out fault diagnosis on four of the following installed aircraft armament systems:
- gun
- rockets
- bombs and components
- defensive aids
- missile
- role equipment
- weapon release equipment
- depth charge
- search and rescue equipment
- other specific system
Undertake fault diagnosis on two of the following aircraft armament system operating technologies:
- mechanical
- electrical
- fluid
- air/gas pressure
Collect evidence regarding the fault from three of the following sources:
- the person who reported the fault
- sensory input (such as sight, sound, smell, touch)
- monitoring equipment
- equipment records/history
- investigation reports
- operation of the equipment
- fault records
- fault records
Use a range of fault diagnostic techniques, to include three of the following:
- half-split technique
- function testing
- emergent problem sequence
- injection and sampling
- six point technique
- input-to-output technique
- unit substitution
Use diagnostic aids and equipment, to include three of the following:
- equipment self-diagnostics
- flow charts
- troubleshooting guides
- technical publications
- circuit diagrams/specifications
- logic diagrams
Use two of the following types of test equipment to help in the fault diagnosis:
- mechanical measuring equipment (such as measuring instruments, dial test indicators, torque instruments)
- electrical/electronic measuring instruments (such as multimeters, automated test equipment)
- pressure gauges
- other specific test equipment
Find faults that have resulted in two of the following breakdown categories:
- intermittent problem
- continuous faults
- partial failure/out-of-specification operation
Provide a record of the outcome of the fault diagnosis, using one of the following:
- step-by-step analytical report
- preventative maintenance log/report
- corrective action report
- computer records
- company-specific reporting procedure
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