Servicing parachute assemblies
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to carry out servicing activities on parachute assemblies, 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 equipment to the appropriate level and cleaning the various parts using suitable solutions. You will carry out a thorough examination of the parachute 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 parachute, make any required adjustments and, where appropriate, check and test the equipment.
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 that 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 an understanding of the type of parachute 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:
P1 work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
P2 follow the relevant servicing schedules to carry out the required work
P3 carry out the servicing activities within the limits of your personal authority
P4 carry out the servicing activities in the specified sequence and in an agreed timescale
P5 carefully examine the parachute assemblies and replace worn or damaged components
P6 report any instances where the servicing activities cannot be fully met or where there are identified defects outside the planned schedule
P7 complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements
P8 dispose of waste materials in line with organisational and environmentally safe procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1 how to work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
K2 the hazards associated with servicing parachute assemblies, and how they can be minimised
K3 the importance of wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and of keeping the work area clean and tidy
K4 the servicing/maintenance schedules and specifications that are used during the servicing, 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)
K5 the types of faults, defects or wear characteristics that are likely to occur with the parachute assemblies
K6 how to determine when components require adjustment, repair or replacement
K7 the components to be replaced in the parachute assemblies, and the method of replacement
K8 the importance of the correct securing and locking of connections
K9 how to identify the components to be used for the various types of parachute assemblies being serviced
K10 the quality control procedures to be followed during the servicing procedures
K11 how to conduct any necessary checks to ensure that the parachute assemblies’ function to specification
K12 the issues that can occur with the servicing of parachute assemblies, and the importance of informing appropriate people of any defects
K13 the importance of tool control, and the organisational tool control procedures to be used
K14 the tools and equipment used in the servicing activities, and their calibration/care and control procedures
K15 the importance of ensuring that, when the servicing is completed, the parachute assembly is free from dirt and foreign objects (FOD)
K16 the disposal methods for waste and petrol, oil and lubricants (POL)
K17 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
K18 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 servicing and maintenance of the parachute assemblies:
- use the correct issue of the servicing or maintenance schedule
- adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations and procedures to realise a safe system of work
- check the calibration dates of tools and equipment to be used
- use approved servicing and maintenance techniques 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 the equipment to an appropriate level (such as removal of harness, pack elastics)
- cleaning the equipment (such as rigid pack, metallic components) using appropriate solutions
- monitoring the condition/deterioration of components
- Plus, three more from the following:
- replacing all `lifed' components
- replacing all damaged or defective components
- reassembling the equipment
- carrying out any required modifications to the equipment, where applicable
- carrying out adjustments to components and connections
- checking equipment operation and performance
- testing the equipment, in accordance with the relevant air publication (AP)
- Carry out a thorough examination of the parachute, to include checking/examining all of the following:
- the parachute canopy, rigging lines, vent control lines, for correct sequence of attachment, damage, deterioration, contamination and security of attachment
- main and controller drogue - all rigging lines, anti-squid line and connecting strop for damage, security of attachment, and assembled in the correct sequence
- harness assembly for damage, deterioration and correct assembly
- PSP connector, screws and fasteners, for correct operation and security of attachment
- rigid pack and containers for damage, dents, cracks, freedom from loose particles, burrs and sharp edges
- mechanical lock and metallic labels for damage, corrosion, security of attachment
- inner and outer closure flaps, stowage trays, for damage and security of attachment
- drogue withdrawal line for damage and `in-use life'
- all grommets, screws and fasteners for security of attachment
- all shackles and screwed couplings, for damage and security of attachment
- Replace a range of parachute components, to include four of the following:
- back pad assembly
- mechanical lock assembly
- rigid pack outer closure flaps
- padded apron
- drogue withdrawal line
- rigid pack inner closure flaps
- canopy withdrawal line
- controller drogue anti-squid line
- split pin
- quick release connector
- drogue connecting strop
- castellated nut
- lap strap sub-assembly
- extender strap
- auxiliary parachute
- harness yoke
- drogue-to-parachute attachment line
- rigging lines and stowage flap
- front lift webs
- parachute withdrawal line (seat portion)
- attachment gaiter
- rivets
- head support panel grommets
- strap and pack sub-assembly
- rubber band
- auxiliary parachute connecting strop
- assembly pin, transit and flag
- rigid pack
- parachute container
- 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)/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 procedures
- customer standards and requirements
- organisational standards and procedures
- manufacturers standards and procedures
- Complete the relevant servicing records, to include one from the following, and pass it to the appropriate people:
- servicing/maintenance schedule/log
- job cards
- aircraft service/flight log
- other specific recording method