This standard identifies the competences you need to prepare aircraft components for surface finishing/coating on a range of substrates (such as ferrous and non-ferrous metals and composite materials), to enable coating systems to be applied, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to carry out the preparation on a variety of substrates, using both hand and mechanical tools, including the use of chemical paint strippers where required. The process will also include degreasing using solvents, and cleaning the surface prior to the application of the aircraft coatings.

Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the preparation activities undertaken, and to report any problems with the activities, equipment or materials that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will need to ensure that all tools, equipment and materials used in the preparation work are correctly accounted for on completion of the activities, and you must complete all necessary job/task documentation accurately and legibly.

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 be sufficient to provide a sound basis for your work, and will provide an informed approach to applying the appropriate surface preparation techniques and procedures to aircraft component surfaces. You will understand the preparation procedures used, and will know about the tools and techniques, 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 preparation activities, and when using the associated tools and equipment. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout. You will also understand your responsibilities for safety, and the importance of taking the necessary safeguards to protect yourself and others in the workplace.

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1. work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, directives and other relevant guidelines
2. obtain and follow the relevant instructions, standards and other specifications
3. identify the conditions of the surface to be prepared
4. select the appropriate tools and equipment, and check that they are in a safe and usable condition
5. carry out the preparation activities using appropriate tools and techniques
6. check the prepared surface to ensure that it meets the required specification
7. deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be resolved
8. shut down and secure the preparation equipment to a safe condition on completion of the activities
9. reinstate the work area on completion of the activities, in line with agreed organisational procedures

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1. the specific safety precautions to be taken whilst preparing aircraft components for surface finishing operations (including any specific legislation, regulations or codes of practice relating to the activities, equipment or materials)
2. the health and safety requirements of the work area in which you are carrying out your surface preparation activities, and the responsibility these requirements place upon you
3. the environmental impact of the operations you are carrying out, and with the materials that are used, and how the impact can be minimised
4. the hazards associated with carrying out surface preparation activities, and with the materials and equipment used, (such as dust/debris, hand/arm vibration, working at heights, using chemicals), and how these hazards can be minimised
5. the requirements for working in confined spaces, and the importance of emergency procedures and safe systems of work (including permits to work, required air quantities (RAQs) and local exhaust ventilation (LEV) to maintain safe conditions; the provision of adequate and safe lighting, and avoidance of sources of ignition)
6. how particular procedures, cleaning materials and arisings can result in a compartment or space (such as an accommodation space or tented enclosure) becoming a confined space
7. the personal protective equipment (PPE) to be worn during the surface preparation activity, and its care and correct use
8. how to obtain the required work procedures, specifications and instructions, and how to interpret their requirements
9. the reasons for carrying out surface preparation, and the affects on the final finishing activities if preparations are not carried out correctly
10. the various types of substrate that may require preparing, and the types of tools and preparation methods that may be used on them
11. the damage that may result from using inappropriate tools and preparation techniques
12. the types of defects and contamination to be found on unpainted and painted surfaces
13. the preparation methods and techniques for mixing stripper solutions
14. the tools and equipment used in the activities, and their care, preparation and control procedures
15. 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
16. quality control techniques and procedures used during the preparation activities
17. how to recognise defects (such as remaining residues, foreign object damage, contamination, and surface defects due to the process)
18. the various types of test that are carried out on the prepared surfaces to check compliance with the specification
19. the procedure for the safe disposal and correct separation of waste materials
20. the recording documentation to be completed for the preparation activities undertaken and, where appropriate, the importance of marking and identifying specific pieces of work in relation to the documentation
21. the extent of your own authority, and whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot resolve

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1. Carry out all of the following during the surface preparation activities:

   1. ensure that you have the correct documentation for the preparation operations (such as drawings, job instructions, aircraft standards)
   2. adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, COSHH, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations
   3. obtain the correct tools and equipment for the activity, and check that they are in a safe and usable condition
   4. apply appropriate and safe preparation techniques and procedures at all times
   5. dispose of waste items and materials in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner, in line with company procedures
   6. return all tools and equipment to the correct location on completion of the activities
   7. leave the work area in a safe condition and free from foreign object debris

2. Carry out surface preparation activities on aircraft components, to include both of the following:

   1. unpainted surfaces            
   2. painted surfaces

3. Carry out surface preparation activities on two of the following types of substrate:

   1. ferrous metals                                            
   2. non-ferrous metals          
   3. composite materials
   4. other materials (such as ceramic, compliant rubber/polymer, plastics)

4. Prepare the surfaces using tools and techniques appropriate to the substrate, to include carrying out four of the following:

   1. degreasing and cleaning
   2. re-activating treatments
   3. masking appropriate areas or perishable items
   4. preparing surfaces using hand or power tools
   5. preparing surfaces using hand abrasives
   6. flattening down
   7. removing paint back to primer
   8. sealing/filling/fairing blemishes
   9. removing all paint back to bare metal
   10. washing down prepared areas
   11. carrying out surface pre-treatments

5. Carry out the surface preparation activities on two of the following types of aircraft component:

   1. aircraft detail components
   2. major assemblies
   3. blades and shafts (helicopters only)
   4. complete aircraft
   5. sub-assemblies
   6. other specific components

6. Use two of the following methods to check that the prepared surfaces meet the specified standards:

   1. visual examination
   2. swabs
   3. press tape
   4. surface profile comparators

7. Carry out surface preparations on aircraft components, in accordance with one of the following standards:

   1. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
   2. customer standards and requirements
   3. Ministry of Defence (MoD)
   4. company standards and procedures
   5. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA)
   6. paint/coating manufacturer's recommendations

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8. Complete the relevant paperwork, to include one from the following, and pass it to the appropriate people:

   1. build/production records
   2. quality control documentation
   3. aircraft log
   4. other specific records

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​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

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2

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31 Mar 2020

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Current

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Original

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Semta

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SEMAER2-33

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Engineering, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Engineering Professionals, Science and Engineering Technicians

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5234

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Aeronautical; Engineering; surface finishing/coating; ferrous and non-ferrous metals and composite materials;

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