Flying training resources

Flight test guide – Flight Instructor (Aeroplane) Rating
Grade 1 – Initial Issue

PDF version of Flight test guide

Introduction

This flight test guide has been prepared to assist Delegates in the assessment of applicants for the initial issue of a Flight Instructor (Aeroplane) Rating Grade 1. This guide will also provide guidance to supervising instructors and trainees in preparing for the flight test.

To ensure a consistent and standardised approach to the assessment of applicants for the flight instructor ratings, I require Delegates to follow the procedures contained in this Flight Test Guide.

Bruce Byron AM
Chief Executive Officer
April 2007

Test considerations

The flight test for the initial issue of a Flight Instructor (Aeroplane) Rating Grade 1 (FI(A)R Gr1) is, except in unusual circumstances, the assessment of a current Grade 2 flight instructor for the initial issue of the highest level of flight instructor rating. This new level will permit the holder to exercise additional privileges.

The Delegate will have to not only assess basic flight instructor competency, but also assess competency in the following new privileges:

• Competent to give flying training for the issue of a flight instructor (aeroplane) rating.
• Competent to conduct an aeroplane flight review.
• Where qualified, competent to give flying training for the issue of an instrument rating.

These additional privileges are a significant component of the assessment process and the applicant must be assessed as competent in all these areas to be issued with a FI(A)R Gr1.

Note: To ensure the assessment process is focused on the key competencies for the initial issue of a FI(A)R Gr1, this flight test must not be used to assess an applicant for other instructional approvals such as Spin Instruction certification or approval to give instruction in multi-engine aeroplanes.

• The CFI recommendation, training records, logbook, licence and medical certificate must be checked in accordance with the Flight Crew Licensing Procedures Manual.
• The Delegate must set the scenario for the test e.g. “student profile.”
• Assessment of aeronautical knowledge and ground instructional ability must be completed prior to conducting the pre-flight briefing and air exercises.
• Ground instructional ability, including the use of training aids, must be assessed.
• The applicant must present two long briefings.
• Good practical aeronautical knowledge must be tested by questioning the applicant.
• The flight component of the test must not be conducted unless the applicant passes the ground components of the test.
• The applicant must present a pre-flight briefing that is followed by the air exercise.
• The Delegate must brief the applicant on the format of the air exercise to ensure that the applicant is in no doubt about what is required.
• The applicant must conduct a daily inspection which will be assessed by the Delegate.
• The Delegate must clarify crew responsibilities in the event of a real emergency.

Assessment Sequences –Ground and Air

Due to the diverse nature of privileges available to a FI(A)R Gr1, as well as pre-flight briefings and general technical discussions, at least two long briefings and in flight teaching exercises will be required to adequately assess applicant competency. One of the briefings must be based on training a trainee flight instructor to teach one of the Day VFR (A) syllabus ab-initio flight sequences. The second briefing should address an additional FI(A)R Gr1 privilege that would be available to the applicant on being issued with a FI(A)R Gr1.

During the ground component, the applicant’s knowledge and understanding of the Aeroplane Flight Review requirements must be assessed.

Note: The topic of the briefings should only be given to the applicant on the day of the flight test.

The Ground Component

The applicant’s performance will be assessed against instructional technique, subject knowledge, confidence and fluency of delivery. The following explanations are set down to assist the Delegate in assessing the ground component:

Instructional technique – the use of questioning, teaching aids, lesson planning, preparation, and management of the learning environment are some of the aspects of lesson delivery that the Delegate should consider.

Subject knowledge – the applicant is expected to have a sound understanding of the aeronautical knowledge subjects from the Day VFR Syllabus; the applicant should be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the theoretical aspects of the lesson topic and be able to provide accurate explanations.

Instructor training – the applicant is expected to have a sound understanding of the principles and techniques for training flying instructors.Confidence and fluency of delivery – speech should be clear, deliberate and instruction should be relevant.

Ground component debriefing

The ground component must be debriefed and assessed as a pass before commencing the flight component.

Debrief should cover the following items as appropriate:

• Lesson introduction
• Clear lesson objectives
• Student participation
• Speech clear and deliberate
• Training aids properly used
• Instruction to the point
• Sound knowledge of subject
• Lesson objectives were achieved.

Note: Partial credits are not applicable to the ground component. A pass in the ground component may remain valid for up to 28 consecutive days from the date of the test.

The Flight Component

A competent performance of a flight manoeuvre is one in which the pilot is obviously in control of the aeroplane and the successful outcome of the manoeuvre is never in doubt. The applicant’s performance will be assessed on the basis of technique, judgement, knowledge, smoothness and accuracy.

The following explanations are set down to assist the Delegate in assessing the flight component:

• Technique – the method in which a manoeuvre is performed. There may be more than one acceptable technique and testing officers must be flexible in their assessment.
• Judgement – is applicable to all manoeuvres but is of particular importance in respect of wind strength, use of power and flap, allowance for drift and landing technique.
• Knowledge – during the course of the flight test the candidate’s knowledge may be further tested.
• Smoothness – the candidate must demonstrate smooth flying in all sequences. Anything less is unacceptable and will result in a fail assessment.
• Accuracy – accuracy in the control of height, airspeed, direction and trim are all important. Persistent errors in any of these aspects must result in a fail assessment.

To assist in the assessment of the applicant’s decision-making ability, the applicant must decide positioning, height and orientation for all flight sequences, and manage all relevant radio communications. Where an applicant recognises that a demonstration was substandard, he/she should redemonstrate the manoeuvre. Airborne sequences must follow an acceptable method of teaching such as: demonstrate, direct then monitor. The applicant must demonstrate accurate fault analysis and appropriate corrective actions.

Note: Any demonstration of sustained poor airmanship is an overall fail assessment and no credits may be given

Examples (not limited to the following):

• Failure to lookout
• Descent below minimum heights
• Failure to comply with hand over take over drill
• Failure to complete checks
• Failure to correctly prepare aircraft for flight
• Failure to operate the aircraft within the parameters of the AFM
• Failure to maintain VMC
• Appropriate VFR procedures and separation maintained

Note: Where the control of the aeroplane is such that the successful outcome of a procedure or manoeuvre is in doubt and the Delegate has to take control of the aircraft (physically or by direction) an overall fail assessment must be made and no credits may be given.

Flight component debriefing

The Delegate should debrief the applicant as soon as possible after the conclusion of the flight. The debriefing should cover the following items of the pre-flight briefing and air exercises, as appropriate:

Pre-flight briefing

• Linked with previous relevant exercise
• “Student” provided with clear aim
• “Student” made aware of what he or she will see and do during the flight
• Significant airmanship points stressed
• Logical presentation
• Essential knowledge checked

Air exercise debriefing

• Revision - included
• Patter – must be coordinated with the demonstration
• Transfer of control – ‘hand over/take over’ or ‘follow through’ drill should be observed
• Fault analysis – should be accurateExplanations – should be brief, clear and audible
• Remedial training – should be appropriate
• Smooth and accurate handling

Airmanship debriefing considerations

• Aircraft and engine handling during both normal and emergency procedures
• Lookout
• VMC maintained
• VFR separation maintained
• Command judgement

Post test debriefing

Regardless of the overall result of the test, the Delegate must discuss with the applicant’s instructor and/or the CFI of the flying training organisation the strengths and weaknesses observed during the flight test. The Delegate must also make an entry in the applicant’s training record to reflect the details and outcome of the assessment.

Post flight administration

At the conclusion of the debrief process the Delegate should complete the Application for Flight Instructor Rating – Aircraft test form and, if the test resulted in a pass assessment, the Delegate may endorse the applicant’s logbook [for delegates holding a CAR 5.14(2) delegation]. The guidance for this process may be found in the Flight Crew Licensing Procedures Manual.