Carrying out the application of transfers, decals and livery to aircraft components
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to apply transfers, decals and livery to aircraft/aircraft components, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to use the appropriate application drawings and specifications to apply the various types of decals, transfers and livery to the aircraft. You will be expected to position, align and secure the decals and transfers in the correct locations, using the specified/appropriate techniques. Decals and transfers will include self-adhesive, spray-through stencils, stencils used to mark out, mask and then spray, standard single colour livery, and multi-colour livery.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the application of the decals, transfers and livery, and for the disposal of surplus product, and contaminated solvents and materials. You will be required to report any problems with the application 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 application of the decals, transfers and livery 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 the application of transfers, decals and livery to aircraft components. You will understand the decals and transfers being used, and their application, and will know about the application 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 application 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.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, directives and other relevant guidelines
- ensure the material surfaces to be treated are suitably prepared for the finishing operations to be carried out
- check that the finishing equipment and treatment solutions are set up and maintained at satisfactory operating conditions and levels
- carry out the application process in accordance with operating procedures and the component specification
- ensure that the treated workpiece achieves the required characteristics and meets the finishing specification
- deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
- dispose of waste and excess materials in line with agreed organisational procedures
- shut down the finishing equipment to a safe condition on completion of the processing activities
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the safe working practices and procedures to be observed when carrying out the application of transfers, decals and aircraft livery (such as general workshop and site safety, protecting other workers from the effects of the work, atmospheric controls)
- the specific safety precautions to be taken whilst carrying out the application of transfers, decals and aircraft livery (including any specific legislation, regulations or codes of practice relating to the activities, equipment or materials)
- the hazards associated with applying transfers, decals and livery to aircraft, and with the materials and equipment used (such as inhalation of fumes, fire and explosion, contact with solvents and other chemicals), and how these hazards can be minimised
- the information to be found in manufacturers' data sheets and in Chemical Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply (CHIPS) data sheets
- 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
- how particular procedures and materials can result in a compartment or space (such as an accommodation space or tented enclosure) becoming a confined space
- the personal protective equipment (PPE) to be worn during the coating/finishing activity, and its care and correct use
- the environmental impact of the operations you are carrying out, and with the materials you are using, and the minimisation of this impact
- the various types of drawing and specifications that are used during the application activity
- the surface treatment methods and techniques to be undertaken, prior to applying transfers, decals and livery
- how to mark out the components for positioning of the transfers, decals or livery painting operations
- methods used to apply transfers and decals to the aircraft components
- the preparation methods and techniques for mixing paints and varnishes
- the procedures for the transportation and storage of transfers, decals, and finishing materials
- the equipment operating, care and control procedures (such as the operation of spray guns)
- cleaning and maintenance procedures for spray guns, spray booths, mini spray guns and ovens
- safe operation of compressed air facilities, and how to set the different air pressures
- the surface treatments available, and their characteristics and use (to include degreasers, solvents and soap washes, colours, epoxy, acrylic and urethane lacquers)
- recognition of defects (such as misalignment, distortion, bubbles, foreign object damage, contamination and surface defects)
- the tools and equipment used in the activities, and their calibration, care, preparation 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
- problems that can occur with the application of the transfers, decals or livery, and how these can be overcome
- the procedure for the safe disposal and correct separation of waste materials
- the recording documentation to be completed for the finishing 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 application process:
- ensure that you have the correct documentation for the application of the transfers, decals or livery (such as manufacturer's specifications, job instructions, aircraft standards)
- adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, COSHH, CHIPS data, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations
- obtain the correct tools and equipment for the activity, and check that they are in a safe and usable condition
- apply appropriate and safe application techniques and procedures at all times
- dispose of waste items and materials in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner, in line with company procedures
- clean and return all tools and equipment to the correct location on completion of the activities
- leave the work area in a safe condition and free from foreign object debris
Apply transfers and decals to two of the following aircraft components:
- aircraft detail components
- major assemblies
- sub-assemblies
- complete aircraft
- other specific components
Apply transfers and decals to parent materials, to include one of the following:
- bare metal (ferrous)
- bare metal (non ferrous)
- composite
- previously painted surfaces
Carry out two of the following before applying the decals or transfers:
- degreasing and cleaning
- masking
- mixing of colour
- flattening down
Use two of the following to apply transfers and decals:
- self-adhesive and varnish
- stick-on decals
- spray-through stencil
- stencil, mark out, then spray
- spray-through decals
- main colour, and mask out for further colours
Use appropriate techniques to achieve tolerances and gloss levels for three of the following:
- standard single colour livery
- aircraft numbers
- flight deck/cockpit markings
- multi-colour livery
- hazard markings
- evacuation route markings
- statutory marks
- galley markings
- aircraft name
- other specific markings
Use stick-on templates and at least two of the following consumables:
- masking medium and tape
- rubbing paper
- abrasive pads
- cleaning materials
* *
Apply transfers, livery and decals which comply with one of the following standards:
- Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
- customer standards and requirements
- Ministry of Defence (MoD)
- company standards and procedures
- Federal Aviation Authority (FAA)
- transfer/decal manufacturer's recommendations
* *
Complete the relevant paperwork, to include one from the following, and pass it to the appropriate people:
- build/production records
- aircraft log
- quality control documentation
- other specific records
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