Servicing aircrew protective helmets and electrical headsets
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to carry out servicing activities on aircrew protective helmets and electrical headsets, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to select the appropriate tools and equipment to use, based on the servicing activities to be carried out, and to check that they are in a safe and serviceable condition. The servicing activities to be carried out will involve dismantling the helmet to the appropriate level, and cleaning the various parts using suitable solutions. You will carry out a thorough examination of the protective shell and associated parts, in line with the relevant schedule, identifying and replacing any `lifed' items, damaged, worn or defective parts. You will then reassemble the helmet and headset, make any required adjustments and where appropriate, check and test the equipment operation and performance.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the servicing activities undertaken, and to report any problems with these activities that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work either with a high level of supervision or as a member of a team, and you will take personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out. Where team working is involved, you must demonstrate a significant personal contribution during the team activities in order to satisfy the requirements of this standard, and you must demonstrate competence in all the areas required by the standard.
Your underpinning knowledge will provide a sound basis for your work, and will provide an informed approach to applying the appropriate servicing techniques and procedures. You will have a basic understanding of the equipment being serviced, and its application, and will know about the servicing requirements and equipment used, 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 servicing 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 legislation, regulations, directives and other relevant guidelines
- follow the relevant servicing schedules to carry out the required work
- carry out the servicing activities within the limits of your personal authority
- carry out the servicing activities in the specified sequence and in an agreed timescale
- report any instances where the servicing activities cannot be fully met or where there are identified defects outside the planned schedule
- complete relevant servicing records accurately and pass them on to the appropriate person
- dispose of waste materials in accordance with safe working practices and approved procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the specific safety precautions and procedures to be observed whilst carrying out the servicing of the aircrew protective helmets and headsets (including any specific legislation, regulations or codes of practice relating to the activities, equipment or materials)
- the health and safety requirements of the work area in which you are carrying out the servicing activities, and the responsibility these requirements place on you
- the hazards associated with servicing aircrew protective helmets and electrical headsets, and how they can be minimised
- the personal protective equipment (PPE) that you need to use during the servicing activities, and where it can be obtained
- the servicing/maintenance schedules and specifications that are used during the servicing activities, and the importance of following the procedures listed in these documents (to include Urgent Technical Instructions (UTI), satisfying Routine Technical Instructions (RTI), Maintenance Instructions (MI), Preliminary Warning Instructions (PWI) and Serious Defect Signals)
- the types of faults, defects or wear characteristics that are likely to occur with the aircrew protective helmets and electrical sets
- how to determine when components require adjustment, repair or replacement
- the components to be replaced in the protective helmets and headsets, and the method of replacement
- the importance of the correct securing and locking of connections
- how to identify the components to be used for the various types of protective helmets and headsets being serviced
- the quality control procedures to be followed during the servicing procedures
- how to conduct any necessary checks to ensure that the equipment functions to specification
- problems that can occur with the servicing procedures, and the importance of informing appropriate people of any defects
- the importance of tool control, and the organisational tool control procedures to be used
- the tools and equipment used in the servicing activities, and their calibration/care and control procedures
- the importance of ensuring that, when the servicing is completed, the equipment is free from dirt, swarf and foreign objects (FOD)
- the disposal methods for waste and petrol, oil and lubricants (POL)
- 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 whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot resolve
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Carry out all of the following during the servicing of the aircrew protective helmets and electrical headsets:
- use the correct issue of the servicing or maintenance schedule
- adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, COSHH, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations
- check the calibration dates of tools and equipment to be used
- use approved servicing techniques and procedures at all times
- return all tools and equipment to the correct location on completion of the activities
- leave the work area in a safe and tidy condition
Carry out all of the following servicing activities, using appropriate methods and techniques:
- dismantling equipment to an appropriate level (such as removal of oxygen mask, visor cover and fabric covers)
- cleaning the equipment (such as visor, protective shell and headsets), using appropriate solutions
- monitoring the condition/deterioration of components
Plus three more from the following:
4. replacing all `lifed' components
5. replacing all damaged or defective components
6. reassembling the equipment
7. carrying out any required modifications to the equipment
8. carrying out adjustments to components and connections (such as friction settings, tuning and adjusting microphones)
9. checking the equipment operation and performance
10. testing equipment in accordance with the relevant air publication (AP)
Carry out a thorough examination of the helmet and headset, to include checking all of the following:
- the protective shell for damage and softness of shell
- all of the protective shell for screws/fasteners for security
- visors for scratches, abrasions and cracks
- visor hinge mechanism for corrosion, damage, security, and adjust friction settings as required
- ear capsules for damage, wear, hardening, discoloration and security
- `Mic/Tel' leads for deterioration or fraying
- chin and neck strap for wear, damage, fraying and deterioration
- oxygen mask hooks for damage, security and bending/distortion
- electrical headsets for signs of damage and deterioration
- ear pads and headbands for hardening or cracking
- ear shells for free movement in their stirrups
- the microphone switch moves freely, and adjustable parts move freely without undue slackness
- boom microphone (if fitted) for insecurity and damage
Replace a range of components, to include four of the following:
- visor (clear or tinted)
- pads (such as crown, brow or neck)
- side arm (outer and inner)
- elastic straps
- base assembly oxygen mask hook
- ear capsule tensioning webbing
- strap assembly cable retaining
- transducer
- strap assembly (chin or neck)
- microphone switch
- headset electrical
- microphone boom
- ear capsule
- earphone
- down lead assembly
- fabric cover
- lining assembly (brow or neck)
- headband
- visor cover assembly
- earphone shell
- 'Mic/Tel' lead (down lead and jack plug connector)
Carry out servicing requirements, in accordance with one of the following types of instructions
- Urgent Technical Instructions (UTI)
- satisfying Routine Technical Instructions (RTI)
- Maintenance Instructions (MI)
- Preliminary Warning Instructions (PWI)
- Serious Defect Signals
Carry out servicing work which complies with one of the following standards:
- Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
- Ministry of Defence (MoD)
- Federal Aviation Authority (FAA)
- customer standards and requirements
- company standards and procedures
Complete relevant servicing records, to include one from the following, and pass it to the appropriate people:
- service/maintenance schedule/log
- job cards
- aircraft service/flight log
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Additional Information
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