Development testing aeronautical electronic equipment
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to carry out development tests on aeronautical electronic equipment, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to carry out tests on a range of aeronautical electronic equipment, such as power supplies, motor control equipment, sensors and actuators, digital systems, automatic flying control system (AFCS) system, displays/indication and gauging, communication, navigation, radar, armament, flight guidance and control, computing and pitot static equipment, to establish that they functioning at optimal level and to specification. You will be required to carry out tests which will include voltage and current levels, resistance values, waveform, clock/timer switching, pulse width/rise time, open/short circuit, logic state, frequency modulation/demodulation, and signal-to-noise ratio/interference levels.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for carrying out the testing activities, 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 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 the procedures for carrying out the required tests, and will provide an informed approach to applying the necessary test procedures. You will understand the aeronautical equipment being worked on, the test equipment being used, and the various testing procedures and their application, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities to the required specification. In addition, you will be expected to review the outcome of the tests, compare the results with appropriate specifications, determine the action required, and to record/report the results in the appropriate format.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the testing activities, especially those for isolating the equipment, and taking the necessary safeguards to protect yourself and others against direct and indirect electric shock. 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 the appropriate procedures for use of tools and equipment to carry out the required tests
- set up and carry out the tests using the correct procedures and within agreed timescales
- record the results of the tests in the appropriate format
- review the results and carry out further tests if necessary
- leave the aircraft and equipment in a safe and appropriate condition, free from foreign object debris
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the health and safety requirements of the area in which the testing activity is to take place and the responsibility these requirements place on you
- your responsibilities under regulations relevant to the electronic testing activities being undertaken
- 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 permit-to-work procedure that applies to the testing activities and placing of warning notices
- the specific safety precautions to be taken when carrying out testing of electronic equipment
- the hazards associated with testing electronic equipment and circuits, and with the equipment that is used, and how to minimise them and reduce any risks
- the importance of wearing protective clothing and other appropriate safety equipment (PPE) during the testing activities
- 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 importance of keeping the work area clean, tidy and free from waste or surplus materials
- how the testing activities may affect the work of others and the procedure for informing them of the work to be carried out
- the procedures and precautions to be adopted to eliminate/protect against electro-static discharge (ESD)
- how to obtain and interpret drawings, boolean algebra, truth tables, logic symbols, circuit diagrams, specifications, manufacturers' manuals, test procedures and documents needed to carry out the tests
- the principles of how the electronic circuit functions, its operating sequence, the function/purpose of individual units/components and how they interact
- how to determine the most suitable test points within the circuit
- how to set up and apply the appropriate test equipment
- how to check that tools and equipment are free from damage or defects, are in a safe, tested and usable condition and are configured correctly for their intended purpose
- how to ensure that the test equipment is correctly calibrated
- the various testing methods and procedures, and how to apply them to different operating conditions
- why tool/equipment control is critical and what to do if a tool or piece of equipment is unaccounted for on completion of the testing activities
- how to analyse test results, and how to use comparison and sequential techniques
- the environmental control requirements and company operating procedures relating to functional testing
- the documentation required and the procedures to be followed at the conclusion of the tests
- the extent of your own authority 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 testing activities:
- obtain and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, aircraft electronic equipment test procedures, 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 testing 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
- ensure that safe working distance procedures are set up (where appropriate)
- where appropriate, apply electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection procedures
- carry out the tests using the specified techniques and procedures
- make any permitted adjustments to components and equipment, to bring the system to the specification requirements
- return all tools and equipment to the correct location on completion of the testing activities
Carry out tests on four of the following types of electronic equipment:
- power supplies (such as switched mode, series regulation)
- motor control systems (such as closed loop servo, proportional control, inverter control)
- sensor/actuator circuit (such as linear, rotational, temperature, photo-optic, flow, level, pressure)
- digital circuit (such as process control, microprocessor, logic devices, display devices)
- signal processing circuit (such as frequency modulating/demodulating, amplifiers, filters)
- automatic flight control systems (AFCS)
- displays/indication and gauging
- navigation
- armament
- communication
- passive warning and optical/surveillance
- computing
- radar
- other specific electronic equipment
Carry out tests using a range of tools and test equipment, to include four of the following:
- oscilloscope
- signal tracer
- computer-aided diagnostic equipment
- ammeter
- signal generator
- special purpose testing equipment
- logic analyser
- multimeter
- temperature measuring devices
- logic probe
- automatic test equipment
Carry out ten of the following tests/measurements, as applicable to the equipment being tested:
- logic states
- open/short circuit
- frequency modulation/demodulation
- dc voltage/current levels
- resistance
- condition of assemblies and components
- ac voltage/current levels
- heat dissipation
- signal noise/interference levels
- pulse width/rise time
- performance of circuit
- electro-magnetic compatibility (EMC)
- signal-to-noise ratio
- VSWR
- power output
Carry out all of the following checks to ensure the accuracy and quality of the tests performed:
- the test equipment is correctly calibrated
- test equipment used is appropriate for the tests being carried out
- ESD precautions and procedures are applied
- test procedures to be used are up to date and follow laid-down procedures
- test equipment is operated within its specified range
Provide a record/report of the test outcomes, using one of the following:
- written or typed report
- electronic mail
- specific company documentation
- computer based presentation
- specific test report
Carry out development testing activities in compliance with relevant regulations and guidelines, from two of the following:
- Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)/European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
- Ministry of Defence (MoD)
- Military Aviation Authority (MAA)
- Aerospace Quality Management Standards (AS)
- Federal Aviation Authority (FAA)
- BS, ISO or BSEN standards and procedures
- company policy and procedures
- customer policy and procedures
- aircraft manufacturer's requirements
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