Apprenticeship training course

Aircraft certifying technician (level 4)

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Information about Aircraft certifying technician (level 4)

Maintain and certify aircraft of all types from small aeroplanes to airliners, jet fighters and helicopters, both civil and military.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • Mathematical techniques, algebraic expressions, formulae, calculation and physics to understand the theory of flight, aerodynamics and aviation maintenance processes
  • Structure, properties and characteristics of materials used in the construction, maintenance and repair of aircraft components, whole structures and sub-assemblies
  • Fundamentals of electrical, electronic, digital, analogue, aircraft systems and maintenance practices
  • Appropriate bonding and assembly techniques e.g. in composite assembly
  • Statutory military and/ or civil air legislation, quality and organisational requirements for aviation safety and occupational health and safety while carrying out aircraft maintenance techniques
  • Human Factors and how they affect Human performance and aircraft maintenance activities
  • Fundamentals of aircraft propulsion systems including auxiliary power units
  • Fundamentals of aircraft flight control systems including hydraulic systems
  • Fundamentals of aircraft auxiliary systems including undercarriage, doors, cabin interiors, pressurisation and air conditioning
  • Specialist test equipment used within aircraft maintenance
  • Fundamentals of methods of aircraft inspection techniques including the identification, control, repair and prevention of damage, fatigue and corrosion
  • Hazard and risk management systems to determine critical issues where safety incidents may occur for products and services including Safety Management Systems used within the aviation sector
  • Troubleshooting techniques and the use of test equipment and fault analysis tools i.e. Smart troubleshooting trees used in this process
  • Fundamentals of aircraft power and / or electrical power generation systems

  Skills

  • Read, interpret, explain and suggest improvements to engineering data; drawings, specifications, maintenance manuals, computer generated information and aircraft documentation
  • Safe selection and use of hand and mechanical tools and equipment while carrying out maintenance of aircraft
  • Complying with and ensuring others comply with statutory military and/ or civil air legislation, quality and organisational requirements for aviation safety and occupational health and safety while carrying out aircraft maintenance techniques
  • Use, analyse and interpret the results obtained from test equipment, both mechanical and electronic while carrying out aircraft maintenance activities
  • Undertake and where appropriate supervise aircraft functional checks and fault diagnosis e.g. electrical bonding and earthing; flight control rigging and adjustment
  • Correct use of ground equipment required in the support of aircraft maintenance
  • Inspect, repair, remove and replace aircraft major assemblies, components, sub-assemblies and systems. To include the Identification and installation of mechanical fasteners, measuring and marking out and the selection of the correct materials
  • Apply sealing and jointing techniques in a wide range of applications
  • Precisely drill and finish holes in aircraft assemblies
  • Communicate effectively within the working environment with a range of stakeholders at different levels
  • Support and encourage the development of others
  • Identification, control, repair and prevention of damage, fatigue and corrosion

  Behaviours

  • Strong work ethic: motivated, proactive, committed
  • Dependability and responsibility: punctual, reliable
  • Positive attitude: constructive thinking, motivated to succeed, committed to equality and diversity, environmental, social and economic sustainability, safety mind-set
  • Team player: able to work and interact effectively within a team
  • Promote effective written, verbal and non-verbal communication
  • Adaptability: able to adjust to change
  • Honesty and integrity: truthful, sincere and ethical
  • Self-motivation: self-starter, able to make appropriate decisions and lead their own professional development
  • Personal commitment: prepared to make a personal commitment to the industry
  • Leadership: delivers reliable and dependable results in work outputs, quality, work ethics and self-development, as well as encouraging and supporting the development of others
  • Accountability: follows the specified company procedures and controls and be responsible for their monitoring review and development
  • Reflective: reflects on current and past performance and provides information and recommendations for improvements in planning, delivery of working practices as well as training and development
  • Demonstrate due consideration of human factors in performing aircraft maintenance activities
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Engineering and manufacturing
• Qualification level: 4; Equal to higher national certificate (HNC)
• Course duration: 48 months
• Maximum funding: £24,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Aircraft Certifying Engineer
  • Senior Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
  • Licenced Aircraft Engineer
  • B2 Licenced Engineer
  • Licenced Avionics Engineer
  • Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
  • Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor
  • Engineering Manager
  • Air Engineer

View more information about Aircraft certifying technician (level 4) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.