Overview of the role

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

Details of standard

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in the engineering sector, in the aviation industry.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to maintain and certify aircraft of all types from small aeroplanes to airliners, jet fighters and helicopters, both civil and military. This occupation is found across the aviation sector where certification is essential.

They carry out approved processes to maintain and certify the airworthiness of the aircraft; this includes troubleshooting, the rectification of defects, modifications and scheduled maintenance activities. It involves highly skilled, complex and specialist work in maintaining aircraft systems according to Standard Operating Procedures, using relevant hand tools and equipment. An Aircraft Maintenance Licence or equivalent authorisation will be required to carry out this role. They must be able to research data sources, ensuring that on completion of a task all aircraft documentation is accurately completed and certified. They resolve problems using the approved data, processes and understand the limits of their authority/approval

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for complying with civil and or military regulatory and organisational requirements. They must work both individually and as part of a larger team, including carrying out supervisory duties and oversight of work completed.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with flight crew, shift leaders, customers, colleagues and possibly the regulator.

Aircraft Certifying Engineers work in a hangar environment conducting base maintenance and outside conducting line maintenance activities

Typical job titles include:

Air engineer Aircraft certifying engineer Aircraft maintenance engineer Aircraft maintenance supervisor B2 licenced engineer Engineering manager Licenced aircraft engineer Licenced avionics engineer Senior aircraft maintenance engineer

Entry requirements

Individual employers will set the recruitment and selection criteria for their Apprenticeships. In order to optimise success, candidates will typically have 4 GCSEs at Grade C/4 or equivalent, including mathematics, English and a Science

Occupation duties

Duty KSBs

Duty 1 Certify and ensure that aircraft maintenance activities are carried out in compliance with current company policy and procedures and regulatory Airworthiness requirements

K5 K6 K11 K12 K13 K14

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 2 Ensure a safe working environment and just culture in the workplace

K6

S1 S2 S3 S11

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 3 Ensure that the staff working under their supervision and others in their environment obey Health and Safety and Environmental regulations.

K5 K6

S2 S3 S6

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 4 Perform, assist and record task and dynamic risk assessment for themselves and others in the environment.

K5 K6

S1 S3 S6

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 5 Report and record physical, psychological or emotional limitations or injuries relating to themselves or other team members.

K5 K6

S3 S11

B1 B2 B3 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 6 Liaise with other engineers, contractors and supervisors as necessary to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft or component.

K5

S1 S3 S4

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 7 Identify and immediately report any incidents and defects with the aircraft, tooling or test equipment to the relevant authority.

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K12 K13

S1 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S10 S12

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 8 Communicate effectively to resolve issues with a wide range of stakeholders including flight crew, shift leaders, customers, colleagues and the regulator.

K5 K6

S1 S4

B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 9 Plan and conduct scheduled maintenance, inspection and rectification tasks within allotted time scales to ensure the safety and integrity of the aircraft, its systems and components.

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S12

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 10 Ensure the safe and efficient performance of each task by themselves and others

K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11

S1 S2 S3 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 11 Ensure all personal and team authorisations and mandatory training are current and documented and assist with the further development of the staff.

K5

S1 S3 S11

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 12 Ensure all documentation is completed correctly before the end of the shift and a detailed handover of any work in progress is completed and recorded.

K1 K5 K6

S1 S3 S4 S5 S6

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 13 Maintain a record of personal engineering experience and training as required by company procedures and the regulator to provide evidence of competence.

K1 K5 K6

S1

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13

Duty 14 Conduct audits of the hangar and/or facilities in accordance with company procedures or regulatory requirements

K1 K5 K6

S1 S3

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13


KSBs

Knowledge

K1: Mathematical techniques, algebraic expressions, formulae, calculation and physics to understand the theory of flight, aerodynamics and aviation maintenance processes Back to Duty

K2: Structure, properties and characteristics of materials used in the construction, maintenance and repair of aircraft components, whole structures and sub-assemblies Back to Duty

K3: Fundamentals of electrical, electronic, digital, analogue, aircraft systems and maintenance practices Back to Duty

K4: Appropriate bonding and assembly techniques e.g. in composite assembly Back to Duty

K5: 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 Back to Duty

K6: Human Factors and how they affect Human performance and aircraft maintenance activities Back to Duty

K7: Fundamentals of aircraft propulsion systems including auxiliary power units Back to Duty

K8: Fundamentals of aircraft flight control systems including hydraulic systems Back to Duty

K9: Fundamentals of aircraft auxiliary systems including undercarriage, doors, cabin interiors, pressurisation and air conditioning Back to Duty

K10: Specialist test equipment used within aircraft maintenance Back to Duty

K11: Fundamentals of methods of aircraft inspection techniques including the identification, control, repair and prevention of damage, fatigue and corrosion Back to Duty

K12: 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 Back to Duty

K13: Troubleshooting techniques and the use of test equipment and fault analysis tools i.e. Smart troubleshooting trees used in this process Back to Duty

K14: Fundamentals of aircraft power and / or electrical power generation systems Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Read, interpret, explain and suggest improvements to engineering data; drawings, specifications, maintenance manuals, computer generated information and aircraft documentation Back to Duty

S2: Safe selection and use of hand and mechanical tools and equipment while carrying out maintenance of aircraft Back to Duty

S3: 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 Back to Duty

S4: Use, analyse and interpret the results obtained from test equipment, both mechanical and electronic while carrying out aircraft maintenance activities Back to Duty

S5: Undertake and where appropriate supervise aircraft functional checks and fault diagnosis e.g. electrical bonding and earthing; flight control rigging and adjustment Back to Duty

S6: Correct use of ground equipment required in the support of aircraft maintenance Back to Duty

S7: 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 Back to Duty

S8: Apply sealing and jointing techniques in a wide range of applications Back to Duty

S9: Precisely drill and finish holes in aircraft assemblies Back to Duty

S10: Communicate effectively within the working environment with a range of stakeholders at different levels Back to Duty

S11: Support and encourage the development of others Back to Duty

S12: Identification, control, repair and prevention of damage, fatigue and corrosion Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Strong work ethic: motivated, proactive, committed Back to Duty

B2: Dependability and responsibility: punctual, reliable Back to Duty

B3: Positive attitude: constructive thinking, motivated to succeed, committed to equality and diversity, environmental, social and economic sustainability, safety mind-set Back to Duty

B4: Team player: able to work and interact effectively within a team Back to Duty

B5: Promote effective written, verbal and non-verbal communication Back to Duty

B6: Adaptability: able to adjust to change Back to Duty

B7: Honesty and integrity: truthful, sincere and ethical Back to Duty

B8: Self-motivation: self-starter, able to make appropriate decisions and lead their own professional development Back to Duty

B9: Personal commitment: prepared to make a personal commitment to the industry Back to Duty

B10: 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 Back to Duty

B11: Accountability: follows the specified company procedures and controls and be responsible for their monitoring review and development Back to Duty

B12: 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 Back to Duty

B13: Demonstrate due consideration of human factors in performing aircraft maintenance activities Back to Duty


Qualifications

English and Maths

Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.

Other mandatory qualifications

Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering (Foundation Competence).

Level: 2

Ofqual regulated

In order to meet the requirements set out by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), all individuals undertaking this apprenticeship must complete a period of mandatory protected training leading to the successful achievement of this mandated qualification.

EASA Part 66 B licence Modules or Equivalent Military Authorisation

Level: 4

Aerospace and Aviation (Development Competence)

Level: 4

Ofqual regulated

Professional recognition

This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:

  • Professional Engineering Insitute (PEI) licensed by the Engineering Council for Engineering Technician (EngTech)


Additional details

Occupational Level:

4

Duration (months):

45

Review

this apprenticeship will be reviewed in accordance with our change request policy.

Status: Approved for delivery
Level: 4
Reference: ST0019
Version: 1.1
Date updated: 31/05/2022
Approved for delivery: 1 July 2016
Route: Engineering and manufacturing
Typical duration to gateway: 45 months (this does not include EPA period)
Maximum funding: £27000
LARS Code: 114
EQA Provider: Ofqual
Employers involved in creating the standard: BAE Systems, Harrods Aviation (SME), Inflite MRO services, London Executive Aviation (SME), Monarch Aircraft Engineering, BBGA (Representative Body), TAG Farnborough Engineering Ltd (SME), Virgin Atlantic Airways, AQMS (SME), Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, Gama Aviation (SME), MOD, Multiflight (SME)

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date Latest end date
1.1 Standard, funding band and end-point assessment plan revised 09/11/2020 Not set Not set
1.0 Retired 01/07/2016 08/11/2020 Not set

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