AAC Information Bulletin No 6 CASA Guidance Material for Engine Ground Run Training

This guidance information supports the CASA CAO 100.66 Paragraph 10. Privileges of holder of an Authority

26 September 2007

Engine Ground Run Training

PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to persons preparing and conducting engine ground run training and assessment of the competence of trainees.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this document is to:

1. assist trainers to achieve a consistent standard of engine ground run training
2. assist trainers to achieve a consistent standard of assessment; and
3. assist trainers to ensure persons trained and assessed are competent to perform engine ground running.

TERMS USED

The terms used in this document are not all inclusive and should be used as a guide. Where the engine or aircraft includes similar systems and functions not included in this document, or included under other terms, these should be included in the training as though this document included those systems and functions.

REGULATORY BACKGROUND

CAR 230(3)(a) authorises an appropriately rated Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer to ground run the engine(s), of an aeroplane that is having maintenance carried out on it or is being used for the provision of maintenance training provided s/he has “sufficient knowledge of the aircraft’s controls and systems to ensure the starting or running does not endanger any person or damage the aircraft.”

CAR 30(2C)(d) includes a condition that the holder of a Certificate of Approval must ensure that each person employed by or working under an arrangement with the holder receives adequate training in the work performed by that person and any equipment used in connection with the work.

CAR 214 place responsibility on the holder of a Certificate of Registration of an aircraft used in commercial operations (Registered Operator) to ensure persons performing maintenance are adequately trained.

CAO 100.66 paragraphs 10.6 and 10.7 permits an Authority holder to start and run an engine (on fixed and rotary wing aircraft) only if he/she has completed a course of training or experience and that the CAR 30 organisation is satisfied that the holder has the requisite qualifications and experience.

GRANT OF AME LICENCES

AME Licences and Licence Ratings are granted by CASA on the understanding that CAR 30, CAR 214 and CAR 230 will be complied with. Therefore, it cannot be assumed that the holder of an appropriate AME Licence rating (CAR31 licence or CAO 100.66 MA) is adequately trained and qualified to ground run the engines of a particular aircraft, aircraft type or model. The CAO 100.66 Appendix 7 Type Training requirements do not include training for engine running.

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CONTENT OF TRAINING

The following subjects, as applicable to the engine/aircraft combination, should be included:

a) Aircraft system operation as required for engine operation and/or aircraft and personnel safety;

b) Aircraft preparation for engine running;

c) Emergency procedures;

d) APU operation;

e) Engine ground safety precautions, including;

i. prop/jet/rotor blast area;

ii. inlet suction area; ,

iii. reverse blast area;

iv. fire protection/access;

v. securing aircraft, chocks and other restraint;

vi. safe areas and safety precautions for maintenance personnel during engine

operation;

f) Engine operational limits;

g) Engine performance parameters and corrections for ambient conditions;

h) Pre-start briefing of persons on the aircraft, including operating crew;

i) Preparation for engine start, internal and external pre-start checks;

j) Wet and dry motoring procedures;

k) Preparing aircraft and engine for test as required;

l) Normal and abnormal start procedures, including monitoring operation;

m) Post start checks;

n) Engine tests, including use of reference tables and record sheets

o) Normal shutdown procedures;

p) Emergency shutdown procedures;

q) Post engine run checks;

r) Use of built in test and monitoring equipment before, during and after engine

running; s) Restoring aircraft to normal shut down configuration, including recording and resetting of exceedance (s); and t) Completion of engine run and aircraft records.

Pre-start briefing should include functions of each crew member in normal operations and emergencies, including evacuation procedures and assembly point. Procedures should include any of the following which are applicable to the engine/airframe combination:

a) Start with external power/air; b) Start with APU; c) Cross bleed start; d) Battery power start; e) Start without N1, N2, Ng, Np, Fuel Flow or EGT indication; f) Start without automatic control and monitoring; g) Start without oil pressure; h) Start with tailpipe fire; i) Hung start; j) Surge/stall; k) Auto thrust recovery; l) Thrust reverser tests;

m) Propeller tests, including beta operation, governing operation, auto feather, manual

feather, NTS, pitch lock, reverse operation, auto power recovery; and n) Emergency shut down procedure, including extended motoring, if applicable.

Where a simulator is used all normal pre-start, start, shutdown post run and emergency procedures which are simulated should be performed under the control of each student. Functional checks may be performed in teams of two (or three if flight engineer station is fitted) provided each student is a participant.

Where an aircraft is used all normal pre-start, start, shutdown and post run procedures should be performed under the control of each student. Functional checks may be performed in teams of two (or three if flight engineer station is fitted) provided each student is a participant. Emergency procedures should be covered by a thorough briefing in the aircraft cockpit, with questions to confirm each student understands of the procedures.

Post run debrief should include completion of all records related to the operation of the simulator/aircraft and completion of all documentation related to each task performed during the training session. E.g. If a vibration analysis was conducted during the training session all documentation related to a vibration analysis should be completed as though they were to be incorporated into the actual aircraft records. Where appropriate, the trainees should complete and sign duplicate documentation as a demonstration of competence in satisfactorily completing the documentation and making the certifications related to the tasks undertaken during the training/assessment session.

CONDUCT OF ENGINE GROUND RUN TRAINING

Engine ground run training is intended to meet these requirements in relation to engine ground running. Engine ground run training may be conducted in an aircraft, in an aircraft simulator or a combination of both. Engine ground run training will usually involve a period of classroom training, briefing and debriefing.

Training should be conducted by a person with instructional and assessment training, such as Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment, who is competent and authorised to carry out engine ground running for the engine/airframe combination. This authorisation may be limited to simulator training in which case the trainer need not hold an AME Licence rating for the engine. If the training is conducted in an aircraft the trainer will need to hold an appropriately rated AME Licence or other authorisation (eg pilot endorsed on aircraft) to run the engines.

All engine ground run training should be conducted using the appropriate procedures used in the course of normal maintenance. Additional documents may be used to assist student learning and to provide consistency of training and assessment.

Since this training usually involves both training and assessment, it is important that the trainer clearly differentiate between training and assessment. It would be unreasonable to subject a student to assessment of his/her handling of an emergency procedure without first being trained in the procedure.

ASSESSMENT

Satisfactory completion of engine ground run training would be demonstrated by each student satisfactorily completing each procedure assigned to him/her and satisfactorily answering questions related to the procedures and operation of the engine in the particular airframe.

The questions may be asked at any appropriate times during the pre-run briefing, the run session or the post run debriefing. Questions asked during the engine run session should be in context with the current operations to avoid distraction and confusion of the student(s) operating the aircraft/simulator.

RECORDING

An acceptable means of recording satisfactory completion of engine ground run training and assessment is via the use of a permanent recorded within the training records or personal file of the student. This entry must be verified by the Trainer/Assessor and show the date(s) the training/assessment was conducted.

Download AAC Information Bulletin No 6 – CASA Guidance Material for Engine Ground Run Training