Easy Access Rules for Continuing Airworthiness (Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014)

MODULE 1L — BASIC KNOWLEDGE

Level

1L.1Mathematics

Arithmetic:

—Arithmetical terms and signs;

—Methods of multiplication and division;

—Fractions and decimals;

—Factors and multiples;

—Weights, measures, and conversion factors;

—Ratio and proportion;

—Averages and percentages;

—Areas and volumes, squares, cubes.

Algebra:

—Evaluating simple algebraic expressions: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division;

—Use of brackets;

—Simple algebraic fractions.

Geometry:

—Simple geometrical constructions;

—Graphical representation: nature and uses of graphs.

1

1L.2Physics

Matter:

—Nature of matter: the chemical elements;

—Chemical compounds;

—States: solid, liquid, gaseous;

—Changes between states.

Mechanics:

—Forces, moments and couples, and representation as vectors;

—Centre of gravity;

—Tension, compression, shear, and torsion;

—Nature and properties of solids, fluids, and gases.

Temperature:

—Thermometers and temperature scales: Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin;

—Definition.

1

1L.3Electrics

AC and DC circuits:

—Ohm’s law, Kirchhoff’s voltage, and current laws;

—Significance of the internal resistance of a supply;

—Resistance/resistor;

—Resistor colour code, values and tolerances, preferred values, wattage ratings;

—Resistors in series and in parallel.

1

1L.4Aerodynamics/aerostatics

International Standard Atmosphere (ISA), application to aerodynamics and aerostatics.

1

1L.5Workplace safety and environmental protection

•Safe working practices and precautions when working with electricity, gases (especially oxygen), oils, and chemicals;

—Labelling, storage and disposal of hazardous (to workplace safety and environment) materials;

—Remedial action in the event of a fire or another accident with one or more hazards, including knowledge of fire-extinguishing agents.

2

MODULE 2L — HUMAN FACTORS

Level

2L.1General

—The need to take human factors into account in the maintenance domain;

—Incidents attributable to human factors/human error;

—Murphy’s law.

1

2L.2Human performance and limitations

Vision, hearing, information processing, attention and perception, memory.

1

2L.3Social psychology

Responsibility, motivation, peer pressure, teamwork.

1

2L.4Factors that affect performance

Fitness, physical and mental health, stress, sleep, fatigue, alcohol, medication, drug abuse.

1

2L.5Physical environment

Working environment (climate, noise, illumination).

1

2L.6 The ‘Dirty Dozen’ and risk-mitigation

The ‘Dirty Dozen’:

—lack of communication

—lack of teamwork

—lack of assertiveness

—complacency

—fatigue

—stress

—lack of knowledge

—lack of resources

—lack of awareness

—distraction

—pressure

—norms.

Risk-mitigation methods.

2

MODULE 3L — AVIATION LEGISLATION

Level

3L.1Regulatory framework

•Role of the European Commission (EC), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and national aviation authorities (NAAs);

•Scope and limitations of the regulatory framework.

1

3L.2 Continuing airworthiness regulations

—General understanding of the applicable parts of Part-66;

—General understanding of the applicable parts of Part-ML;

—General understanding of the applicable parts of Part-CAO;

—General understanding of Part-M, Part-CAMO and Part-145.

1

3L.3Repairs and modifications (Part-ML)

—Approval of changes (repairs and modifications);

—Standard changes and standard repairs.

2

3L.4Maintenance data (Part-ML)

—Airworthiness directives (ADs), safety information bulletins (SIBs);

—Service bulletins (SBs), instructions for Continuing Airworthiness (ICAs) (AMM, IPC, etc.), aircraft flight manual (AFM), maintenance records, maintenance programmes.

2

3L.5 Licence privileges and how to exercise them properly (Part-66, Part-ML)

Conditions for release to service:

—in a maintenance organisation;

—as independent certifying staff;

—release-to-service procedures.

2

MODULE 4L — WOODEN AND/OR METAL-TUBE STRUCTURE COVERED WITH FABRIC

Level

4L.1Airframe wooden/combination of metal tube and fabric

•General construction principles for wooden structures covered with fabric, metal-tube structures covered with fabric, and combination of wooden and metal-tube structures;

•Wood as a technical material (heartwood, sapwood, grain, etc.);

•Wood defects (types, acceptable/ not acceptable);

•Different woodcuts (tangential cuts, radial cuts, etc.) and their properties (tangential cuts, radial cuts, etc.);

•Metal tubing (mechanical and stress properties of metal tubes);

•Types of welding and welding joints;

•General characteristics of aircraft coverings;

•General characteristics of paint;

—Transmission of loads in and between structures.

2

4L.2Materials

•Types of wood (solid wood, laminated wood, plywood, wood composites), suitable wood materials and their properties (spruce, firs, etc.), wood defects (acceptable / not acceptable), stability, deterioration (temperature, humidity, ageing, etc.);

•Types of covering and technologies (natural and synthetic polymers), deterioration;

•Types of glues, adhesives, paints and other associated materials;

•Types of metal-tubing material (steel, light alloy tubes, etc.);

•Welding seams, fittings, screws and bolts (material and properties);

•Proper storage of those materials;

—Plastics (overview and understanding of their properties).

2

4L.3Identifying damages and defects

•Inspection procedures;

•Damage identification in wooden structures (heavy landing, rot, glue failure, fungi, shrinkage, stress damage, cracks, fatigue, etc.);

•Damage identification in metal-tube structures (hard landing, stress, corrosion, fatigue, dents, cracks, fatigue, etc.);

•Damage identification in welded seams;

•Damage identification in fabric coverings (tears, strains, UV damage, hard landing, etc.).

3

4L.4 Standard repair and maintenance procedures

•Repair and conservation of wooden aircraft structures: wing rib, wing spar, bolt and brushing holes, patches (fabric, splayed, surface, plug, scarf);

•Repair and reapplication of fabric on aircraft (fabric, tape, lacing, threads, seams, fabric protection, stitching, knots, fasteners, finishing tape, rings and grommets, dope);

•Repair and corrosion protection/prevention methods for metal-tube aircraft structures (welding, patch plates, reinforcement tubes, sleeves, etc.);

•Repair, removal and application of paint and dope on airframes in wooden / combination of metal tube and fabric (surface preparation, application and finish).

3

MODULE 5L — COMPOSITE STRUCTURE

Level

5L.1Airframe fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP)

•General construction principles of airframes in FRP and its properties;

•Characteristics of laminated structures (matrix and fibres);

•Fibre (fibre orientation, strength characteristics, isotropic, anisotropic, filament, strands, tows, yarns, rovings, impreg and prepreg);

•Fabric weave styles (plain weave, twill weave, atlas weave, unidirectional) and non-woven material (stitched and knotted) and their characteristics;

•Matrix (thermosetting, thermoplastic, curing stages);

•Characteristics of sandwich structures and their supporting cores (honeycombs, foams, wooden cores, pseudo-cores);

•General characteristics of accelerators and additives/modifiers;

•Transmission of loads in and between structures.

2

5L.2Materials

•Types of fibres (fibreglass, E-glass, aramid, carbon/graphite, boron, ceramic, lightning protection fibre);

•Types of matrices (different types, properties and application);

•Types of resin filler materials (fumed silica, glass powder, hollow glass, phenolic and plastic microballoons, cotton, flox, colour pigments, fire retardants);

•Types of sandwich structure core materials (honeycombs: aramid paper, kraft paper, thermoplastic, aluminium, fibreglass, carbon; foams: polystyrene, phenolic, polyurethane, polypropylene, PVC, polymethacylimide; balsa wood);

•Behaviour, interaction, and technological aspects of composites made of those materials;

•Storage and handling of those materials.

2

5L.3 Identifying damages and defects

•Inspection procedures (visual inspection, tapping, NDT testing, etc.);

•Types of manufacturing defects and damages and their causes (fibre breakage, matrix imperfections, delamination, debonding, improper drilling, environmental degradation, impact damage, fatigue, erosion, corrosion, UV damage, hard landing, stress, etc.).

3

5L.4Standard repair and maintenance procedures

•Repairs of aircraft structures: wing, rib, wing spar, aerofoil, bolt and brushing holes, patches, sandwich core and faceplate repairs, bolted and bonded repairs;

•Proper construction and repair fittings, and load-bearing points for composites and composite sandwich structures;

•Creation and use of repair moulds from the airframe or intact parts (types, procedures, coatings, etc.);

•Proper procedure for the mixing of resins, fibre layering and curing of composites;

•Bonding metals and other materials;

•Composite painting and finish.

3

MODULE 6L — METALLIC STRUCTURE

Level

6L.1Metallic airframe

•General construction principles for metal-structure airframes;

•General knowledge of the properties of metal as a technical material (classification; physical, mechanical and electrical properties; manufacturing properties; chemical properties);

•General knowledge of the properties of pure metals and alloys;

•Metal grain structure of pure metals and alloys and its impact on behaviour (grain boundaries; corrosion; hardening; annealing; differences between forged, machined and cast metals);

•Stresses in structural members (tension, compression, torsion, shearing, bearing, bending);

•Types of corrosion and corrosion protection (electrochemical oxidation, galvanic corrosion, stress-corrosion cracking, corrosion in passivated materials, high-temperature corrosion);

•Types of rivets and fasteners (solid shank rivet, blind rivets, self-plugging rivets (mechanical and friction lock), pull-thru rivets, pin rivets, head styles, taper-lok, rivet nut, lockbolt, high shear fastener, identification, measuring);

•Types of welding and welding joints;

•Transmission of loads in and between structures.

2

6L.2Materials

•Types of iron and steel, and their alloys in aviation (cast, forged, tempering, corrosion, strength properties);

•Types of aluminium and aluminium alloys in aviation in airframes, rivets, and fasteners (strength properties, corrosion);

•Common alloying elements for steel and aluminium (influence on the mechanical and physical properties of the alloy);

•Common paint and surface protection materials;

•Common adhesives for use with metals.

2

6L.3Identifying damages and defects

•Inspection procedures (sheet metal, structure, bonded joints, soldered joints, welded and brazed joints, riveted joints, corrosion);

•Identification and classification of cracks, fatigue, and corrosion in metallic structures.

3

6L.4Standard repair and maintenance procedures

•Metal and sheet metal (marking out and calculation of bend allowance, cutting, drilling, bending and forming, inspection of metal work);

•Welding, brazing, soldering and bonding (soldering methods, welding and brazing methods, bonding methods);

•Riveting (riveted joints, rivet spacing and pitch; tools used for riveting and dimpling; inspection of riveted joints);

•Repairing by patching, insertion, and replacement of parts;

•Corrosion treatment;

•Problems in multiple-material systems.

3

MODULE 7L — AIRFRAME: GENERAL, MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

Level

7L.1 Theory of flight — gliders and aeroplanes

Aerodynamics and flight controls:

•Airflow around a body;

•Boundary layer, laminar and turbulent flow;

•Thrust, weight, aerodynamic resultant;

•Generation of lift and drag angle of attack, polar curve, stall.

Operation and effect of roll control, pitch control, yaw control and rudder limiters:

•Control using dual-purpose controls;

•High-lift devices, slots, slats, flaps, flaperons;

•Drag-inducing devices, lift dumpers, speed brakes, dive brakes;

•Effects of wing fences, saw tooth leading edges;

•Boundary layer control using vortex generators, stall wedges or leading-edge devices;

—Operation and effect of trim tabs, balance and antibalance (leading) tabs, servo tabs, spring tabs, mass balance, control surface bias, aerodynamic balance panels.

1

7L.2 Airframe structure — gliders and aeroplanes

•Fuselage: construction (truss type, monocoque, semimonocoque), attach points (wing, tail plane, undercarriage);

•Wings: construction (monospar, multispar, box beam), configurations (cantilever, semicantilever, strut/wire braced), fairing;

•Stabilisers: construction, control surface attachments;

•Flight control surfaces: construction and attachment, balancing (mass and aerodynamics);

•Tow hooks (Schweizer and Tost hook);

•Aircraft assembly, storage, jacking, chocking, securing and associated safety precautions;

•Effects of environmental conditions on aircraft handling and operation.

1

7L.3 Air conditioning (ATA 21)

Heating and ventilation for small aircraft.

1

7L.4 Electrical power, cables, and connectors (ATA 24)

•Installation and operation of batteries;

•Power generation / power sources (AC/DC) on small aircraft, voltage regulation, power distribution and circuit protection;

•Cable types, construction and characteristics, high-tension and coaxial cables, testing and installation precautions;

•Connector types, pins, plugs, sockets, insulators, current and voltage rating, coupling, identification codes, pin insertion and removal;

•Crimping (crimping, tools, testing of crimp joints);

•Continuity, insulation and bonding techniques and testing;

•Wiring protection techniques (cable looming and loom support, cable clamps, protective sleeving techniques (including heat shrink wrapping), shielding).

2

7L.5 Equipment and furnishing (ATA 25)

•Emergency equipment requirements;

—Seats, harnesses, and belts.

2

7L.6 Fire protection and other safety systems (ATA 26)

•Portable fire extinguisher;

—Rescue systems (safety parachute, recovery parachute, launching systems, including safety measures for pyrotechnics).

2

7L.7 Flight controls (ATA 27)

—Primary controls: aileron, elevator/stabilator, rudder, dual-purpose controls (stabilator, ruddervator, flaperons);

—Secondary controls: elevator trim systems, wing flaps, slats and spoilers / dive breaks;

—System operation: manual;

—Gust locks, balancing and rigging of flight controls;

—Simple stall-warning systems.

3

7L.8 Fuel system (ATA 28)

•System layout;

•Fuel tanks;

•Supply systems;

•Indications and warnings;

•Refuelling and defuelling.

2

7L.9 Hydraulic power (ATA 29)

•System layout;

•Hydraulic fluids;

•Hydraulic reservoirs and accumulators, pressure generation (electric, mechanical), filters, pressure control, power distribution, indication and warning systems.

2

7L.10 Ice and rain protection (ATA 30)

•Hydrophobic coatings;

—Pitot probe heating.

1

7L.11 Landing gear (ATA 32)

•Construction (tricycle, tailwheel, outrigger wheels, skids), shock absorbing;

•Extension and retraction systems: normal and emergency operation;

•Indications and warnings;

•Wheels, brakes, tyres, and steering;

—Standard repair and maintenance procedures for the landing gear.

2

7L.12 Lights (ATA 33)

•External lights: navigation, anticollision, landing, taxiing;

—Internal lights: cockpit.

2

7L.13 Oxygen (ATA 35)

•System layout: storage system (containers), delivery system (continuous flow, diluter demand and pressure demand) and masks/nasal cannula;

•System operation, including charging and discharging;

—The ‘PRICE’ check.

2

7L.14 Pneumatic/vacuum (ATA 36)

•System layout;

•Sources, pumps, control and distribution;

—Indication and warnings.

2

7L.15 Water ballast (ATA 41)

Water tanks (main tank, fin tank), drain valves, vents.

2

7L.16 Fasteners

•Screw threads: nomenclature, forms, dimensions and tolerances, and measuring;

•Bolts, studs and screws: types (specifications, identification, markings, international standards), nuts (self-locking, anchor, standard types), machine screws (aircraft specifications), studs (types and uses, insertion and removal), self-tapping screws, dowels;

•Locking devices: tab and spring washers, locking plates, split pins, pal-nuts, wire locking, quick-release fasteners, keys, circlips, cotter pins;

•Aircraft rivets: types of solid and blind rivets: specifications and identification, heat treatment.

2

7L.17 Pipes, hoses, and connectors

•Types and connectors of pipes and hoses for hydraulic, fuel, oil, pneumatic and air;

•Bending, belling/flaring, inspection, testing and installation of pipes and hoses.

2

7L.18 Springs

Types of springs, materials, characteristics, applications, inspection, and testing.

2

7L.19 Bearings

•Purpose of bearings, loads, material, construction;

•Types of bearings, their application, testing, cleaning, inspection, lubrication requirements, and common defects in bearings and their causes.

2

7L.20 Transmission

•Gear types, their application, gear ratios, reduction and multiplication gear systems, driven and driving gears, idler gears, mesh patterns, inspection of gears, backlash/play;

•Types, application and inspection of belts and pulleys, chains and sprockets;

•Inspection of screw jacks, lever devices, push–pull rod systems.

2

7L.21 Control cables

•Types of cables, end fittings, turnbuckles, compensation devices, pulleys, cable system components, Bowden cables and aircraft flexible control systems;

•Swaging of end fittings;

•Inspection and testing of control cables, Bowden cables, and aircraft flexible control systems.

2

7L.22 Fits and clearances

Common system of fits, clearances and tolerances, drill sizes for bolt holes, classes of fits, schedule of fits and clearances for aircraft and engines, limits for bow, twist and wear, standard methods for checking shafts, bearings and other parts.

2

7L.23 Aircraft weight and balance

Calculation of centre-of-gravity / balance limits: use of relevant documents, preparation of aircraft for weighing, aircraft weighing.

2

7L.24 Workshop practices and tools

•Common hand-tool types, power-tool types, precision tool types and equipment, their operation, care, control, calibration, and standards;

•Operation, function and use of electrical general test equipment;

•Proper handling of engineering drawings, diagrams and standards, and comprehension of the information presented thereupon (symbols, schematics and diagrams);

•Use of workshop materials;

•Dimensions, allowances and tolerances, standards of workmanship;

•Lubrication equipment and methods.

2

7L.25 Disassembly, inspection, repair, and assembly techniques

•Types of defects and visual inspection techniques; corrosion removal, assessment and reprotection;

•General repair methods, structural repair manual; ageing, fatigue and corrosion control programmes;

•Non-destructive inspection techniques, including penetrant, radiographic, eddy current, ultrasonic and borescope methods;

•Disassembly and reassembly techniques;

•Troubleshooting techniques.

2

7L.26 Abnormal events

Inspection following lightning strike, HIRF penetration, heavy landing, and flight through turbulence.

2

7L.27 Maintenance procedures

Maintenance planning, modification procedures, stores procedures, maintenance inspection / quality control / quality assurance, additional maintenance procedures, control of life-limited components.

2

MODULE 8L — POWER PLANT

Level

8L.1 Engine fundamentals — general

—Potential energy, kinetic energy, Newton’s laws of motion, Brayton cycle;

—The relationship between force, work, power, energy, velocity, and acceleration;

—Mechanical, thermal, and volumetric efficiencies.

2

8L.2 Piston-engine fundamentals and performance

—Operating principles: 2-stroke, 4-stroke, Otto, Diesel, and Rotary (Wankel);

—Piston displacement and compression ratio;

—Engine configuration and firing order;

—Power calculation and measurement;

—Factors that affect engine power;

—Mixtures/leaning, pre-ignition.

2

8L.3 Piston-engine construction

—Crank case, crank shaft, cam shafts, sumps;

—Accessory gearbox;

—Cylinder and piston assemblies;

—Connecting rods, inlet and exhaust manifolds;

—Valve mechanisms;

—Propeller reduction gearboxes.

2

8L.4 Piston-engine fuel system (non-electronic)

—Carburettors (types, construction and principles of operation, icing and heating);

—Fuel injection systems (types, construction, and principles of operation).

2

8L.5 Starting and ignition systems

—Starting systems, preheat systems;

—Magneto types, construction, and principles of operation;

—Ignition harnesses, spark plugs;

—Low- and high-tension systems.

2

8L.6 Air-intake, exhaust, and cooling systems

—Construction and operation of induction systems, including alternate air systems;

—Exhaust systems, engine cooling systems — air and liquid.

2

8L.7 Supercharging/turbocharging

—Principles and purpose of supercharging and its effects on engine parameters;

—Construction and operation of supercharging/turbocharging systems;

—System-associated terminology;

—Control systems;

—System protection.

2

8L.8 Lubrication systems of piston engines

System operation/layout and components.

2

8L.9 Engine indication systems

•Indication systems specific to general combustion engines (coolant temperature, oil pressure and temperature, exhaust gas temperature, fuel pressure and flow);

•Indication systems specific to piston engines (cylinder head temperature, manifold pressure, engine speed);

•Indication systems specific to turbine engines (exhaust gas temperature, engine thrust indication, engine speed);

•Indication systems specific to electric engines (voltage).

2

8L.10 Electric aircraft engines

—Types and construction of electric motors (AC and DC motors, rotor, stator, bearings, windings, commutator, self-commutated, externally commutated, outrunner and inrunner, motor cooling, etc.);

—Power electronics;

—Transformer, transducer, and inverter;

—Engine control systems;

—Power storage systems (common high-density batteries, chemistry batteries, load cycles, degradation, effects of charging and overcharging, thermal runaway);

—Battery management systems (general functions, battery balancing, monitoring);

—Wiring of electric power storage, power electronics, and electric motor;

—High-energy safety procedures.

2

8L.11 Turbine-engine fundamentals and performance

—Constructional arrangement and operation of turbojet and turboprop engines;

—Thrust: thrust horsepower, shaft horsepower, specific fuel consumption;

—Engine pressure ratio;

—Pressure, temperature, and velocity of gas flow;

—Engine ratings, static thrust, limitations.

2

8L.12 Inlet and compressor

—Compressor inlet;

—Axial and centrifugal compressor types, constructional features, operating principles and applications;

—Compressor (stator, rotor, blisk, disk, blades, compressor stall and surge);

—Compressor ratio.

2

8L.13 Combustion chamber, starting and ignition system

—Constructional features and principles of operation;

—Operation of engine start systems and components;

—Ignition systems and components (exciter, ignition plugs and glow plugs).

2

8L.14 Turbine section and exhaust

—Operation and characteristics of different turbine blade types, nozzle guide vanes;

—Gas producer turbine and power turbine, blade-to-disk attachment;

—Causes and effects of turbine blade stress and creep;

—Engine exhaust nozzle and noise reduction.

2

8L.15 Other turbine-engine components and systems

—General knowledge of the type features and principles of bearings and seals in turbine engines;

—System operation, layout and components of lubrication systems in small turbine engines (separate lubrication, as part of the fuel system);

—System operation, layout and components of air and fuel systems in small turbine engines;

—Turboprop reduction gears.

2

8L.16 Turbine-engine inspection and ground operation

—Standard procedures for starting and ground run-up and interpretation of engine power output and parameters;

—Inspection of engine and components to criteria, tolerances and data specified by the engine manufacturer;

—Foreign object damage (FOD).

2

8L.17 Propeller

—Propeller fundamentals (blade element theory, blade angles, angle of attack, rotational speed, propeller slip, aerodynamic/centrifugal/thrust forces, torque, relative airflow, vibration and resonance);

—Propeller construction (methods of construction and materials used in wooden/composite/metal propellers, blade station, blade face, blade shank, blade back/thrust face and hub assembly, fixed pitch, controllable pitch, constant speed propeller, propeller/spinner installation);

—Propeller pitch control (speed control and mechanical/electrical pitch change methods, feathering, propeller accumulators, overspeed protection);

—Environmental protection (de-icing and metal tipping);

—Propeller balancing (static and dynamic) and blade tracking;

—Damage assessment, erosion, corrosion, impact damage, delamination and decay;

—Standard treatment and repair methods for propellers.

2

8L.18 Full authority digital engine control (FADEC)

—Operation of engine control and fuel-metering systems in piston and turbine engines, including electronic engine control (FADEC);

—System layout and components.

2

8L.19 Lubricants and fuels

—Properties and specifications of standard, alternate and drop-in fuels, fuel additives, and lubricants.

2

8L.20 Engine and propeller installation

—Construction of nacelles;

—Configuration of firewalls, cowlings, acoustic panels, engine mounts, antivibration mounts, hoses, pipes, feeders, connectors, wiring looms, control cables and rods, liftingpoints and drains;

—Extension and retraction systems, including propeller position control;

—Propeller installation.

2

8L.21 Engine monitoring and ground operation

—Procedures for starting and ground run-up;

—Interpretation of engine power output and parameters;

—Inspection of engine and components to criteria, tolerances and data specified by the engine manufacturer;

—Foreign object damage (FOD).

2

8L.22 Engine/propeller storage and preservation

—Preservation and depreservation of the engine, the propeller, and accessories/systems.

2

MODULE 9L — BALLOONS: HOT-AIR BALLOONS

Level

9L.1 Theory of flight — hot-air balloons

—Aerostatics and controls;

—Principles;

—Effect on envelopes, wind effect, altitude, and temperature effects.

1

9L.2 General airframe of hot-air balloons

Components and assembly of a hot-air balloon:

—Identification plate;

—Envelope;

—Heater system / burner;

—Suspension cables;

—Basket;

—Lines and ropes (crown line, actuationline).

2

9L.3 Envelope

—Shape and assembly of envelope (poles, equator, panels, gores, special shapes);

—Fabrics, seams, and materials;

—Crown ring;

—Deflation port/parachute and ripping panel;

—Load tapes (horizontal and vertical) and rip stoppers;

—Turning vent;

—Mouth;

—Skirt/scoop;

—Diaphragms/catenaries (special shapes).

3

9L.4 Heater system / burner

—System layout (burner, fuel tanks, fuel lines);

—Types of burners (whisper-/cow-burner, main/take-off burner);

—Functionality, materials, use, inspection, and care of:

—fuel tanks (propane cylinders, material, valves, fittings, fuel quantity gauge),

—fuel lines / gas hoses,

—burner (piezo igniter, pilot light and valve, blast valve, heat exchanger / burner coils, nozzle, etc.).

3

9L.5 Basket and basket suspension (including alternative devices)

—Common assembly of and materials for hot-air balloon baskets;

—Rigging points, burner frame, burner support rods, metal frame, basket padding and leather trim;

—Basket weave, grab handles, cylinder attachment, take-off aid and rope;

—Basket wire and basket wire routing;

—Basket floor, basket frame / load-bearing frame, sliders, rawhide protective covering.

3

9L.6 Instruments

Basic operation, maintenance, and testing of:

—altimeter (mechanical and electronic);

—variometer (mechanical and electronic);

—pyrometer / temperature sensors;

—Mode S transponder;

—VHF radio;

—Emergency locator transmitter (ELT) and personal locator beacon (PLB).

2

9L.7 Equipment

—Required equipment for free-ballooning operation and its care.

2

9L.8 Hot-air balloon handling and storage

—Ground procedures for hot-air balloons, rigging and launch preparation;

—Safe handling of propane;

—Effects of environmental conditions on hot-air balloon handling.

2

9L.9 Disassembly, inspection, repair, and assembly techniques

—Types of defects and visual inspection techniques;

—Allowable damage to and tolerance of envelope, basket, lines, ropes, etc.;

—Common test procedures (grab test);

—General repair methods for envelopes, load ring, ropes and lines, basket;

—Inspection methods for envelopes, ropes and lines, basket;

—Ageing, fatigue;

—Disassembly and reassembly techniques;

—Troubleshooting techniques.

3

MODULE 10L — BALLOONS: GAS (FREE/TETHERED) BALLOONS

Level

10L.1 Theory of flight — gas balloons

Aerostatics and controls:

—Principles;

—Effect on envelopes, wind effect, altitude, and temperature effects.

1

10L.2 General airframe of gas balloons

Components and assembly of a gas balloon:

—Identification plate;

—Envelope;

—Valve;

—Netting;

—Load ring (hoop);

—Basket;

—Lines and ropes (drag rope, mooring line, valve line, emergency opening rope, ripping line, neckline).

2

10L.3 Envelope

—Shape and assembly of envelope (poles, equator, panels);

—Fabrics, seams, and materials;

—Deflation opening and parachute;

—Load belt;

—Ripping panel;

—Appendix;

—Emergency opening;

—Holding-down patches;

—Ballonets;

—Electrostatic properties.

3

10L.4 Netting

—Netting assembly (net ring, net, mesh);

—Mesh dimensions (knots, sizes, angles);

—Materials for netting and accessories;

—Electrostatic properties.

3

10L.5 Valves, parachutes, and other related systems

—Construction, operation, maintenance and testing of manoeuvring/helium valves, pressure relief valves, gas-tight parachutes, and ballonet fans;

—Construction, operation, maintenance and testing of parachute-centring belt and pull-down belts.

3

10L.6 Load ring

—Function, material, and common problems (steel pipe, strops, toggles).

3

10L.7 Basket (including alternative devices)

Common assembly of and materials for hot-air/gas balloon baskets:

—Metal frame, basket padding and leather trim;

—Basket weave, grab handles, basket strops and toggles, ballast system (bags, support and sand dumpers);

—Basket wire and basket wire routing;

—Basket floor, basket frame / load-bearing frame, sliders, rawhide protective covering.

3

10L.8 Ropes and lines

Functionality, materials, use, inspection, and care of:

—Shroud lines / envelope ropes / bridles;

—Trail rope /drag rope and trail-rope bag;

—Holding ropes;

—Valve line/ valve cord and parachute rope;

—Emergency opening rope;

—Appendix pull-close rope;

—Appendix anchor line;

—Inflation aid.

3

10L.9 Instruments

Basic operation, maintenance, and testing of:

—Altimeter (mechanical and electronic);

—Variometer (mechanical and electronic);

—Mode-S transponder;

—VHF radio;

—Emergency locator transmitter (ELT) and personal locator beacon (PLB).

2

10L.10 Tethered gas balloon (TGB) systems

Functionality, operation, materials, use, inspection, and care of:

—Launch platform;

—Winch system: winch (electric, hydraulic, emergency operation), tether cable (cable, sheaves, swivel, clamps), and control panel;

—Gondola (metal-tubing construction);

—Night lighting.

3

10L.11 Equipment

—Required equipment for free-ballooning and for tethered operations, and its care.

2

10L.12 Gas-balloon handling and storage

—Ground procedures and mooring for gas balloons and tethered gas balloons, ballasting, rigging and launch preparation;

—Safe handling of hydrogen, helium, illuminating gas, and other lifting gases;

—Lifting gas (charging, purifying and leak testing, pressure monitoring);

—Effects of environmental conditions on gas-balloon handling.

2

10L.13 Disassembly, inspection, repair, and assembly techniques

—Types of defects and visual inspection techniques;

—Allowable damage to and tolerance of envelope, basket, lines, ropes, etc.;

—Common test procedures (grab test, tensile strength, tear growth, porosity, electric resistivity, etc.);

—General repair methods for envelopes, load ring, ropes and lines, basket/gondola;

—Inspection methods for envelopes, load ring, ropes and lines, basket/gondola (especially for steel frames and welds on TGB gondolas);

—Ageing, fatigue and corrosion control programmes;

—Disassembly and reassembly techniques;

—Troubleshooting techniques.

3

MODULE 11L — AIRSHIPS: HOT-AIR/GAS AIRSHIPS

Level

11L.1 Theory of flight and control of airships

—Control using fins, rudders and elevators;

—Aerodynamic lift and aerodynamic balance;

—Stability and control;

—Free ballooning;

—Operation of trim tabs, balance and antibalance (leading) tabs, servo tabs, spring tabs, mass balance, control surface bias, aerodynamic balance panels;

—Vectored thrust;

—Fire and lightning protection.

2

11L.2 Airship airframe structure — general concepts

—Classification of airships (rigid airship, semi-rigid airship, non-rigid airship);

—Construction of semi-rigid airships (envelope, ballonet, membranes, nose cone, internal structures, keel, trusses, longerons, suspension lines);

—Construction of non-rigid airships (envelope, ballonet, catenary curtains, suspension lines, air scoops);

—Attachment of stabilisers and control surfaces to the airframe.

2

11L.3 Airship envelope

—Nose cone battens / bow strips;

—Catenary systems (catenary curtain, support/suspension cables);

—Ballonets and their positioning (forward, aft);

—Air systems (air scoops, ballonet fans, empennage air system, dampers and transfer fans).

2

11L.4 Gondola

—General knowledge of gondola construction (metal-tubing gondolas, metal-structure gondolas, composite gondolas);

—Doors, windows, and hatches;

—Attachment of the gondola to the airframe/envelope;

—Gondola layout, equipment and furnishing (emergency equipment requirements, seats, harnesses and belts);

—Simple water/waste systems in airships;

—Gondola heating and ventilation (ventilations and heating systems, heat exchanger, blower);

—Landing gear (construction, shock absorbing, tyres, weight-on-wheels).

3

11L.5 Airship flight controls (ATA 27/55)

—Primary controls (rudder, elevator, asymmetric thrust, thrust vectoring);

—Trim control;

—System operation: manual, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, fly-by-wire;

—Balancing and rigging.

3

11L.6 Electrical power (ATA 24)

—Installation and operation of batteries;

—DC power generation;

—AC power generation;

—Voltage regulation;

—Power distribution;

—Wiring, electrical connections;

—Inverters, transformers, rectifiers;

—Circuit protection;

—External/ground power.

3

11L.7 Lights (ATA 33)

—External: navigation, anticollision, landing, taxiing, ground approach light, aft landing light;

—Internal: flight compartment (cockpit) and passenger compartment (cabin);

—Emergency.

2

11L.8 Ice and rain protection

—Windscreen wipers and windscreen de-misting systems;

—Surface de-icing systems.

3

11L.9 Fuel systems (ATA 28)

—System layout;

—Fuel tanks: venting, draining;

—Supply systems;

—Cross-feed and transfer;

—Indications and warnings;

—Refuelling and defuelling.

2

11L.10 Engine and propellers in airships

—General understanding of engine layout, thrust vectoring, swivel systems, ducted propellers and control system.

2

11L.11 Airship handling and storage

—Ground procedures and mooring with and without mooring mast, ballasting, hangaring, rigging and launch preparation;

—Lifting gas (charging, purifying and leak testing, pressure monitoring);

—Effects of environmental conditions on airship handling.

2

11L.12 Disassembly, inspection, repair, and assembly techniques

—Types of defects and visual inspection techniques;

—Corrosion removal, assessment and reprotection;

—General repair methods, structural repair manual;

—Ageing, fatigue and corrosion control programmes;

—Non-destructive inspection techniques;

—Disassembly and reassembly techniques;

—Troubleshooting techniques.

2

MODULE 12L — RADIO COM / ELTs / TRANSPONDERS / INSTRUMENTS

Level

12L.1 Radio COM / ELTs

Fundamentals of radio-wave propagation, antennas, transmission lines, communication, receiver, and transmitter.

Working principle of:

—Emergency locator transmitters (ELTs);

—Very-high-frequency (VHF) communications;

—installation and testing of ELTs and VHF radio and antennas.

2

12L.2 Transponder and FLARM

—Air traffic control transponder, secondary surveillance radar (basic operation, configuration, modes);

—FLARM;

—Installation and testing.

2

12L.3 Instruments

—Pitot-static: altimeter, airspeed indicator, vertical speed indicator, total energy probes;

—Gyroscopic: artificial horizon, attitude director, direction indicator, horizontal situation indicator, turn and slip indicator, turn coordinator;

—Compasses: direct reading, remote reading;

—Angle-of-attack indication, stall-warning systems;

—Glass and analogue cockpit;

—Indications of other aircraft systems;

—Installation and testing of instruments.

2

12L.4 Avionics general test equipment

—Operation, function, and use of general test equipment for avionics.

1