CyberExams
CPL Balloon Examinations
The information published on this page reflects current CASA policy, procedures and information on CPL Balloon examination, thus superseding any contrary statements on CPL Balloon examination in other CASA documents.
The CPL examination (Balloon) is a 2 subject-part examination, which is delivered by the CyberExams system. Each part shall be attempted as a separate examination. The examinations are available online with effect from 14 September 2005. Candidate may book for the examinations online with effect from 12 September 2005.
Recommended Pre-Qualifications
A candidate would be better prepared to pass the CLWB and COPB if in possession of the Australian Balloon Federation (ABF) Private Pilot Certificate (PPC) or an overseas Balloon flight crew licence. CASA recommends that prior to attempting the CPL (Balloon) examinations, candidates should acquire the ABF PPC.
The Examinations
The subject-parts are Flight Rules & Air Law (CLWB) and Operations (COPB).
COPB is a composite part that covers the syllabus topics of:
- Balloons General Knowledge
- Radio Telephony
- Navigation
- Operations, Performance and Flight Planning
- Meteorology
- Human Performance and Limitations
Questions in the COPB may be either multi-choice type or supply-short-answer type, or both. The CLWB is a multi-choice type examination. The supply-short-answer type questions are restricted to answers involving numerical values only.
The number of questions in each examination is at the discretion of CASA, but would be around 40 for the CLWB or COPB. CASA may reduce or delete the number of questions as it sees fit without prior notice, but the time allocated will not be reduced.
All questions shall be answered. If a candidate perceives that a question cannot be answered because of insufficient data, the candidate shall inform CASA via the process described in post-exam comment.
Pass marks
The pass mark for each examination is 75%.
Syllabus
The current aeronautical knowledge syllabus for the CPL Balloon examination remains unchanged, namely Version 3.1 - June 2003. This shall be the principal reference for the examinations.
Instructors and students are reminded that every item in the respective syllabus, except for Item 3.5 Balloon Type Knowledge and those rendered out-of-date by CASA regulatory and air publication changes, is tested in the examination.
Requirement for a full CPL pass credit
To be awarded a full CPL (balloon) examination credit, the candidate shall pass both CLWB and COPB.
No carry-over of incomplete examinations
There is no 'carry-over' of any previous versions of the CPL examination as a partial 'credit' for the CyberExams online version.
Conversion of overseas licences
CASA recognises overseas flight crew licences issued by an ICAO contracting state. However, the candidate must present his overseas licence and associated documents, such as logbook, to a CASA Area Office for assessment in accordance with the requirements of Civil Aviation Regulation 1988 (CAR) 5.138 and acceptance.
A candidate who is converting an overseas CPL (Balloon) licence to an Australian licence is required to pass the CLWB.
Overseas flight crew examination credits
CASA does not recognise overseas flight crew examination credits.
Material required/permitted for examinations
All CASA flight crew examinations require material that may be provided by the supervisor or/and supplied by the candidate.
Material 'required' of the candidate shall be the responsibility of the candidate.
Computer Practice Exam
A CyberExams 'Practice Exam' facility showing a typical CASA screen-based flight crew examination is available. The facility is only for practicing web-navigation in a typical CyberExams examination so that a candidate may be familiar with the features of the system. It is not a CPL balloon practice examination per se. Candidates are advised to utilise this facility, as familiarity with the navigational features is vital to the examination attempt.
Cost
The examination fee is made up of two separate elements, a CASA examination fee and an ASL supervision fee. The CASA fee for the CLWB or COPB, as published in the Civil Aviation (Fees) Regulation, is $65 per examination. ASL charges its own supervision fees. Candidates are advised to check the ASL fees on its website prior to booking the examination. ASL collects the CASA fee on behalf of CASA.
Examination References
Apart from CASA (and Airservices) publications such as CAR, CAO, AIP book, ERSA, VTC and CAAP, candidates may refer to the pre-study advice published in section 3.10 (Recommended Pre-study) of the Commercial Pilot (Balloon) Syllabus of Training.
Additional applicable references may be found here.
Re-training after a failed attempt
Failing an examination is indicative of knowledge deficiency, which is a safety-related issue. Therefore CASA requires the unsuccessful candidate to undergo re-training before being permitted to re-attempt the examination.
The re-training period for an unsuccessful examination attempt is tabulated as follows:
| ATTEMPTS/SCORES ACHIEVED | 70 - 74% | 51 - 69% | 0 to 50% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Following 1st failed attempt | 7 days | 14 days | 28 days |
| Following 2nd failed attempt | 14 days | 28 days | |
| Following 3rd failed attempt | 28 days |
Continued Failures
Continued failures after the last listed re-training period in each score band in the above table will require the maximum re-training period of 28 days.
'Minimum' Re-Training Period
The listed re-training period is the 'minimum' that a candidate shall observe before re-attempting the examination. The candidate shall, in consultation with the instructor, evaluate whether the 'minimum' period is adequate for his/her personal case. The aim is to ensure the candidate may have adequate time to analyse the knowledge-deficient areas, plan and comprehensively re-train to a satisfactory standard before re-attempting the examination.
Candidates are advised that the likelihood of further failure cannot be discounted if they elect to re-sit the examination immediately after the ‘minimum’ re-training period without adequate and satisfactory re-training.
Candidates should note that CASA policy does not permit any reduction of the listed ‘minimum’ re-training period for any candidate. The CyberExams system automated control has been set to ensure that there may not be any deviation from this policy.
A candidate is personally responsible for planning and managing his/her own activities to accommodate the examination re-attempts, including the possibility of overseas travel plans conflicting with the need to undergo a re-training period before a failed examination may be re-attempted.
Eg. if a candidate intends to sit and pass the CLWB or COPB before departing from Australia, he/she is advised to make allowance in the travel arrangements for this possibility. Alternatively, the candidate may re-sit the examination after his/her return to Australia.
Knowledge Deficiency Reports (KDR)
The KDR for the CLWB or COPB is issued with the result advice, and lists the topic items tested by questions the candidate has not answered correctly. For a candidate who has achieved only 50% or less, the entire syllabus shall be the KDR.
Examination venues and bookings
Details of the ASL venues are available on the ASL website. The CLWB and COPB shall be booked online on the same website. ASL may be contacted on 02 6262 8820.