Installing aircraft assisted escape systems (AAES)
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to install aircraft assisted escape systems (AAES), in accordance with approved procedures. It includes units and components associated with ejection seats, canopy jettison and fragmentation systems, parachute assemblies and other systems, as applicable to the aircraft type. You will be required to select the appropriate tools and equipment to use, based on the operations to be performed and the components to be installed.
The aircraft assisted escape system components to be installed will include items such as parachute/life-raft deployment systems, seat-mounted oxygen systems, pipework, hoses, mechanical and electrical controls and safety cartridges. The installation activities will include making all necessary checks and adjustments to ensure that components are correctly positioned and aligned, have appropriate travel and/or working clearances and are tightened to the correct torque.
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 ensure that all tools, equipment and materials used are correctly accounted for on completion of the activities and that all necessary job/task documentation is completed accurately and legibly. 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 instructions and procedures for aircraft assisted escape systems. You will understand the assisted escape system being installed, and its application, and will know about the components, tools and equipment used, and the installation requirements, 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 working on the aircraft assisted escape system, for which personnel must be authorised and fully conversant. 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
- leave the aircraft and the escape system in a safe and appropriate condition, free from foreign object debris on completion of the activities
- complete the relevant documentation, in accordance with organisational requirements
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the specific safety practices and procedures that you need to observe when working with aircraft assisted escape systems and explosive cartridges (such as 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 isolation and lock-off procedures or permit-to-work procedure that applies
- the hazards associated with installing aircraft assisted escape systems, and with the tools and equipment used and how to minimise them and reduce any risks
- 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 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)
how to extract and use information from engineering drawings and related specifications (to include symbols and conventions to appropriate BS, ISO or BSEN standards) in relation to work undertaken
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 aircraft assisted escape system
- the various mechanical fasteners that will be used and their method of installation (such as threaded fasteners, special securing and locking 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 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 elimination of stress on pipe work /connections and the importance of supporting at suitable intervals
- the use of seals, sealant and adhesives and the precautions that need 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 leaks, 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 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 of the aircraft assisted escape system:
- obtain and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, installation drawings, technical instructions, 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
Install three of the following aircraft assisted escape systems:
- ejection seats/gun
- canopy jettison/fragmentation systems
- command ejection system
- parachute/personal survival pack systems
Carry out all of the following activities, using appropriate tools and techniques:
- positioning and aligning
- setting travel or working clearance
- making electrical connections
- bolt locking (such as split pins, wire locking, lock nuts)
- earth bonding
- lifting operations (such as manual or automated)
- torque setting
Install aircraft assisted escape system components, which include five of the following:
- pipe work
- personal survival packs
- safety devices
- explosive cartridges
- hoses
- parachutes
- cylinders/actuating mechanisms
- mechanical controls (such as plungers, springs, rollers)
- electrical mechanisms (such as solenoids, indicators, motors, switches)
- seat-mounted oxygen systems
- other specific components
Use three of the following types of securing/connection device:
- quick-release fasteners
- locking devices
- torque load bolts
- plugs and sockets
- screws
- threaded fasteners
Install aircraft assisted escape system components in accordance 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
- computer records
- job cards
- aircraft service/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