
E2.4 Excluding Structural Components – Non-Pressurised Aircraft / for DASR B1.3
Gap training and assessment to support removal of the nominated DASR 66 MAML exclusion. Aligned to the DASR 66 syllabus and DASA’s exclusions/inclusions manual.
Choose how you want to complete this course
Select a pathway below. Pricing, duration, entry requirements and application details update immediately to match your selection.
Course information
E2.4 Excluding Structural Components – Non-Pressurised Aircraft
for DASR B1.3
Delivered via
RPL and Gap Assessment Pathway Self-Directed for Experienced Engineers
This pathway is designed for experienced, self-motivated aircraft maintenance engineers.
Knowledge is assessed through an individualised combination of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and targeted knowledge gap assessments, and Practical competency (performance evidence) is assessed via RPL using acceptable practical evidence, as approved and authorised by CASA, and documented in SAC's approved Maintenance Training Organisation Exposition (MTOE).
Equivalence of Standard
The RPL and Gap Training pathway does not reduce the competency standard required for the award of the qualification. All learners, regardless of delivery mode, must meet the full requirements of each unit of competency, including performance evidence, knowledge evidence and assessment conditions.
No unit of competency is granted solely on the basis of employment history or documentation without structured assessment and verification.
tuition Fees
$500 on application, balance less credit on commencement
Payment Plan: 50% upfront
with the remaining 50% payable upon completion or within 6 months of the first payment, whichever comes first.
The tuition fee displayed is the maximum total tuition fee for this pathway and assumes that no Credit Transfer is granted. It includes the $500 application payment. After Sigma verifies your prior qualifications and applies any valid Credit Transfer, the remaining balance is confirmed on your final enrolment invoice.
In practice, the vast majority of experienced engineers entering this pathway receive Credit Transfer and therefore pay less than the published maximum. As an indicative example, a holder of the relevant Certificate IV in Aeroskills progressing to a Part 66 licence pathway will typically have the published tuition fee reduced by around one-third, subject to the units accepted for Credit Transfer. The exact reduction depends on the units accepted and cannot be confirmed until Sigma completes its assessment.
Additional charges may apply only where expressly listed in Sigma's current Fees and Refunds Procedure.
Payment: $500 on application. The final balance, after approved Credit Transfer, is payable 50% upfront, with the remaining 50% payable on completion or within 6 months of the first payment, whichever comes first.
Course Duration
Study Load: 8 hours per week
- The RPL & Gap training pathway has a reduced volume of learning versus full-time delivery due to the recognition of experience. Duration is only a guide – students may complete in a shorter or longer timeframe.
- Duration will be shorter if any Credit Transfer is granted.
Before you Apply
- This course is designed for working aircraft maintenance engineers
- This delivery mode requires a minimum of two (2) years of aircraft maintenance experience
- Learners must be currently employed in an aircraft maintenance environment working on operating aircraft
- Learners must be able to provide acceptable evidence for the practical tasks specified in each Unit of Competency
Study Units
What you will learn:
Build competence to remove and install non-pressurised aircraft structural and non-structural components within an aircraft maintenance organisation, with disciplined control of hazards, tooling, and configuration. Hands-on work covers it is essential that shoring and remove and install aircraft interior fittings, using the right tools and controlled isolation practices. Knowledge areas include location and attachment or stowage methods, relevant maintenance manuals, and structural and non-structural component methods of construction to support faultfinding and defensible serviceability decisions. Focus remains on minimising error: verify before release, communicate clearly, and document what was done and why.
- Apply relevant manuals and enterprise procedures to non-pressurised aircraft structural and non-structural components, ensuring correct set-up, isolation, and compliance with local requirements.
- Select tooling and support equipment, then complete practical work on non-pressurised aircraft structural and non-structural components without introducing damage or FOD.
- Inspect and function-test non-pressurised aircraft structural and non-structural components; troubleshoot faults using location and attachment or stowage methods, relevant maintenance manuals and confirm post-maintenance.
- Record results, defects, and rectification actions, and communicate status to support certification-ready handover.
What you will learn:
Learn to inspect, repair and maintain aircraft structures under operational maintenance conditions, aligned to approved data and controlled risk management. Hands-on work covers ability to interpret inspection and repair procedures and specifications and a range of rivets using hand, using the right tools and controlled isolation practices. Knowledge areas include construction methods, basic constructional features, and procedures for the fabrication and fitment of metal to support faultfinding and defensible serviceability decisions. Emphasis is on defensible maintenance decisions—confirming serviceability, managing risk, and leaving a traceable maintenance trail.
- Use approved maintenance data (manuals, drawings, standards) for repair and maintain aircraft structures, and confirm configuration, limits, and safety controls.
- Prepare the work area and carry out hands-on tasks on repair and maintain aircraft structures, using correct tools, test equipment, and contamination control.
- Assess defects and performance on repair and maintain aircraft structures using appropriate test methods, then confirm correct operation before release.
- Record results, defects, and rectification actions, and communicate status to support certification-ready handover.
How We Train
How We Undertake Training (RPL & Gap)
Training for students in the RPL and Gap pathway is self-directed online for theory only.
Theory Training
Training for students taking the RPL & Gap training pathway is self-directed online, but supported with engaging learner resources, regular webinars and Q&A sessions, 1:1 tutoring on request, and support from our training team when required.
The following training and resources are provided for each Unit of Competency:
- Audio lecture (available as a podcast feed)^
- Sigma Digital Learner Guide / PDF Learning Materials
- Toolbox 60 webinars (students can attend fortnightly online)
- Live Q&A sessions (students can attend fortnightly online)
- Quarterly check-in
- Tutoring sessions (on request)
Note: Practical training is not offered for this delivery mode. This pathway is designed for engineers with existing experience and supporting aviation industry-standard documentation (e.g. Journal of Industrial Experience, task cards). Students are expected to provide evidence of practical competency, which is assessed via RPL in line with SAC’s Acceptable Practical Evidence Guidelines.
Where practical training is requested, this may be arranged on a fee-for-service basis for groups, either onsite at SAC facilities or offsite at an approved AMO/MRO facility.
^Audiobook rollout in-progress - not all units will include an audiobook at time of enrolment
How We Assess
How We Undertake Assessment (RPL & Gap)
Sigma Aerospace College operates a four-stage RPL & Gap assessment process following successful application and onboarding.
Assessment Phase 1 – Gap Analysis
Once the onboarding process is complete and initial documentation has been provided, SAC undertakes an assessment of prior learning, applicable credit transfer, and any identified knowledge gaps.
At this stage, an invoice is issued for tuition fees (the course fee listed on the website, less any approved credit transfer). Once payment is received:
- The customised learning environment is unlocked
- An initial RPL report (as required by CASA) is issued
This invoice covers all tuition fees, training materials, and any applicable CASA exams.
Assessment Phase 2 – Gap Assessment (Theory) and RPL Evidence Collection (Practical)
Once the customised learning environment is unlocked in the learning management system (aXcelerate), students are presented with:
- Knowledge gap assessments for Units of Competency not granted in full during Phase 1 via RPL or credit transfer
- Practical evidence upload assessments for outstanding Units of Competency
Submitted practical evidence is assessed via RPL against Unit of Competency performance evidence requirements.
Assessment Phase 3 – Competency Conversation
Following completion of gap assessments and submission of sufficient practical evidence (as defined in the Acceptable Practical Evidence Guide), students undertake a clustered competency conversation with an instructor.
- Format: one-on-one discussion
- Duration: approximately 30–60 minutes
- Purpose: final verification of competency
Assessment Phase 4 – CASA Exams
For training products with a CASA outcome, the final stage involves preparation for and completion of invigilated CASA examinations. An administrator will contact the student at the conclusion of Phase 3 to arrange suitable exam times.
Note: Students may apply for recognition of prior learning for any existing practical experience at any time, as long as at the time of Sigma's assessment of that evidence as prior learning (i.e. when uploaded to the relevant capture in the LMS) the evidence meets the terms in the acceptable practical evidence guide, is authentic, sufficient, and meets unit requirements.
Entry Requirements
Age
- Minimum age 18 years at commencement of course
Education
- Australian High School Year 11 completion with a pass in English and maths; or
- Completion of a formal Language literacy and numeracy (LLN) assessment tool at ACSF Level 3
Employment and Evidence
- Candidate must be working in an aircraft maintenance environment on operating aircraft AND
- Candidate must be able to present valid evidence (as specified in the Acceptable Practical Evidence Guide) of completion of practical tasks undertaken by the candidate prior to our assessment of that evidence (see the Unit of Competency table for links to full requirements of each unit of competency >). Once provided by the candidate and authenticated as valid by SAC, the college will use this evidence as part of a portfolio of evidence to build a case for competence via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)) and Gap Training.
Experience
- Two years of aircraft maintenance experience OR
- Two years of aircraft maintenance training at a regulator-approved Maintenance training organisation
Computing
- Desktop or Laptop computer with webcam and speaker, and modern web browser, PDF viewer, and standards-compatible office suite software
- Reliable broadband internet connection
- An active email address
- Intermediate computing skills, including knowledge of how to use internet to access information.
Residency
- Students must not be on an Australian 500 class student visa, and subject to its terms.

Still have
Questions?
Use the form below to contact our team of aircraft engineer training and licensing experts - they can help get you on the right path.
Contact our Team