FCL exams

CyberExams
CPL examination

The CPL examination (for both Aeroplane and Helicopter) is a 7 subject/part examination, that is delivered by the CyberExams system.

Some subject-part examinations will be common for both Aeroplanes and Helicopters.

A candidate may attempt any of the 7 subjects, in any order of his/her preference, to pass all subjects within 3 years (counting from the first attempt, successful or otherwise), provided the candidate has the pre-requisite qualification/s.

Pass marks

The pass marks for the CPL exams are 70%, except for the Flight Rules and Air Law exam where it is 80%.

Syllabus

The various aeronautical knowledge syllabi for the CPL exams remain unchanged. However, instructors and students are reminded that every item in the respective syllabus is examinable. There is no change to the flying component for each syllabus.

Re-grouping of Flight Rules & Air Law syllabus items

While the CPL exam still tests the same (current) respective syllabus, there will be some re-grouping of syllabus items for the CLWA and CLWH exams. This involves combining various subsections of the syllabus relating to rules and procedures into Flight Rules and Air Law, and will be tested as a separate exam subject.

For important information on the regrouping and other relevant matters, read CLWA & CLWH exams.

Requirement for a full CPL pass credit

To be awarded a full CPL exam credit, the candidate shall pass the 7 subject-parts of the CPL examination within a three-year period, beginning from the first attempt, successful or otherwise. The candidate is advised to only attempt a CPL subject exam when he/she is fully prepared, as the time for this three year-period will be counted from the first attempt. If a candidate does not pass all seven subject-parts within the permitted time, he/she will be required to start anew again.

No carry-over of incomplete exams

There is no 'carry-over' of any previous versions of the CPL exam as a partial 'credit' for the CyberExams version, as the previous versions were structurally different.

CPL exam structure (aeroplane & helicopter)

The CPL for both Aeroplane and Helicopter will be presented as a 7 subject-part exam, with 3 subject-parts common to both aircraft category (Navigation, Meteorology and Human Factors). The subject-parts unique to aircraft category are Flight Rules & Air Law, Aerodynamics, Aircraft General Knowledge and Operation, Performance & Flight Planning.

Details of these subject-parts and pass marks are as follows:

+ where necessary, times indicated here may be slightly modified
x marks may be slightly adjusted; number of questions will be determined by the marks allocated to the individual question in an exam session

CPL exam codes

The following are the CPL exam codes and their corresponding subject-parts:

CNAV - CPL Navigation (common to Aeroplane & Helicopter)
CMET - CPL Meteorology (common to Aeroplane & Helicopter)
CHUF - CPL Human Factors (common to Aeroplane & Helicopter)
CLWA - CPL Flight Rules & Air Law (Aeroplane)
CLWH - CPL Flight Rules & Air Law (Helicopter)
CADA - CPL Aerodynamics (Aeroplane)
CADH - CPL Aerodynamics (Helicopter)
CSYA - CPL Aircraft General Knowledge (Aeroplane)
CSYH - CPL Aircraft General Knowledge (Helicopter)
CFPA - CPL Operation, Performance & Flight Planning (Aeroplane)
CFPH - CPL Operation, Performance & Flight Planning (Helicopter)

Integrated CPLA 150 hr course & CyberExams

New requirements have been introduced to integrate the CPLA 150 hour approved course with the 7 CyberExam subjects. These are intended to maintain at least the same level of integration of flight and ground training as was previously achieved.

CPL (Aeroplane) exam pre-requisite requirement - BAK (Aeroplane) Pass

The Day VFR syllabus requires a candidate to hold a pass in the Basic Aeronautical Knowledge (Aeroplane) exam, before he/she may be permitted to undertake the CPL (Aeroplane) theory exams.

The candidate is personally responsible for ensuring that he/she possesses a BAK (Aeroplane) pass prior to undertaking the CPL (Aeroplane) exams, and shall demonstrate proof of this BAK pass to the exam supervisor prior to the exam. The only acceptable proof of a BAK (Aeroplane) pass shall be a log book entry on the Theory Examination Pass Record section of the candidate's pilot log book, and signed by the candidate's Chief Flying Instructor (CFI).

The candidate will not be permitted to attempt the exam, if he/she cannot demonstrate proof of the BAK (Aeroplane) pass.

If a candidate has been inadvertently permitted to undertake the CPL (Aeroplane) exams without the pre-requisite BAK (Aeroplane) pass, this shall be taken as the candidate knowingly sitting a CASA exam without a mandatory pre-requisite qualification. CASA will consider any pass result(s) in the exam(s) undertaken as null and void, and invalidate them

Exceptions

Overseas PPL (Aeroplane) - A candidate may have gained his/her Australian PPL (Aeroplane) through conversion from an overseas PPL (Aeroplane).   In such cases, the candidate's PAOS pass may serve as the equivalent of a BAK (Aeroplane).   The evidence to be produced for sighting by the supervisor prior to the exam session shall be the PAOS result advice indicating a Pass.   The overseas PPL (Aeroplane) licence itself is not considered as an acceptable pre-requisite for the Australian CPL (Aeroplane) examinations.

Overseas CPL (Aeroplane)/ATPL (Aeroplane) - A candidate who is converting an overseas CPL or ATPL (Aeroplane) licence to an Australian licence will be required to sit the CLWA.   In lieu of the BAK (Aeroplane) pass the candidate shall present a valid* overseas CPL/ATPL (Aeroplane) licence for sighting by the supervisor prior to the exam session.   This is in addition, and subsequent to the requirement for the candidate to secure Area Office scrutiny and approval of the overseas licence.

* 'valid' means the licence does not have a 'Restricted', 'Suspended', 'Cancelled', 'Void', 'No Longer Valid', or other restricting notice entered by the issuing authority. An expired licence may still be accepted, provided it does not carry such a notification.

No Log Book Record of BAK Pass

For a candidate who completed training towards a PPL (Aeroplane) prior to the aeroplane Day VFR syllabus, when the BAK was not required to be recorded in the logbook, he/she shall apply to Flight Crew Licensing Section, CASA Canberra (or by facsimile 02 - 6217 1664) for a letter of statement in lieu. In the application, the candidate shall provide an explanation of why he/she does not have a BAK (Aeroplane) pass in the log book (eg. obtained RPPL in 1986, or holds PPL since 1990, etc). The candidate shall also indicate when (date) and where (location of venue) he/she intends to next sit the CPL exam.

The candidate is responsible for arranging this in adequate time prior to an exam session. A minimum of 5 working days from the receipt of application is necessary for CASA to investigate, approve the application and inform all parties. On approval CASA will notify ASL of the details, and issue the applicant with a letter (in lieu of the missing BAK record). The CASA letter shall be presented to the supervisor as proof of a BAK (Aeroplane) pass. The supervisor will not permit the candidate entry to the CPL exam session unless he/she sights the letter from Flight Crew Licensing, CASA Canberra.

Conversion of overseas licences

Pilots seeking to convert an overseas commercial pilot licence to the Australian equivalent need to pass the relevant overseas conversion examination.

Acquiring exams of different aircraft category

Australian CPL licence holders wishing to obtain an aeronautical knowledge exam credit of a different aircraft category (only for those from Helicopter to Aeroplane) shall have at least a pass in the BAK exam for the desired aircraft category, before applying for the 4 CPL subject-parts unique to the desired aircraft category (Flight Rules & Air Law, Aerodynamics, Aircraft General Knowledge and Operation, Performance & Flight Planning).

Additionally, holders of (either aeroplane or helicopter) examination credits achieved before 11 March 2002 shall also sit and pass the Human Factors (or Human Performance and Limitations) examination.

Candidates required to attempt the Human Factors examination (CHUF) shall have to book this examination as a two-step process.

The initial step shall be for the candidate to inform CASA by email (clarc@casa.gov.au) or facsimile (02 6217 1664) of the intention to book the CHUF. The candidate should allow for at least three working days to enable CASA to process the application successfully to accommodate the online booking.

CASA will then contact the candidate (by telephone, facsimile or email, depending on which is provided) to advise that normal online booking directly with ASL may proceed.

The permitted period for achieving passes in all 4 (or 5) subject-parts is 3 years, beginning from the first attempt, successful or otherwise.

Material required/permitted for exams

All CASA flight crew exams require material that may be provided by the supervisor or/and (required to be) supplied by the candidate.

Exam material 'provided' will be the responsibility of the approved supervisor. Material 'required' of the candidate shall be the responsibility of the candidate.

Practice exam

A CyberExams 'Practice Exam' facility is available showing the CASA screen-based flight crew exam. Candidates are advised to utilise this facility to familiarise themselves with a typical CyberExams exam.

(The practice examination requires Internet Explorer 5.5 (or later) on Windows with full screen (800x600) mode. Use 'F11' to toggle between full screen and normal mode.)

Cost

CASAs fee for each CPL subject exam is $65. ASL charge their own conducting fees. Candidates can find these fees on the ASL website prior to booking exams.

Exam References

Apart from CASA (and Airservices) publications and exam support material, such as the CAR, CAO, AIP complete (including ERSA, charts, AIC), CAAP, Bell 206 Operations Handbook, aeroplane performance and loading handbook, CAA operational notes on radio aids, etc, the publications that may be useful references for studying to the Day VFR syllabus (Aeroplane and Helicopter) are listed to assist candidates and instructors source study material.

Candidates and instructors may select and use these publications at their own discretion. CASA shall not be responsible for any errors contained in these books. More..

Re-training after a failed attempt

Failing an exam 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 failed exam.

Knowledge Deficiency Reports (KDR)

The KDR for a CPL examination is issued with the result advice for a completed examination and lists the syllabus items the candidate has not answered correctly.

Exam venues and bookings

Details of the ASL CyberExam system venues are available on the ASL website under Exam Venues.

Bookings for exams are made with ASL.