CyberExams System
Application to be a CyberExams supervisor
Introduction
The CyberExams system is employed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia (CASA) to conduct flight crew examination business via the Internet. It enables approved examination supervisors for Private Pilot Licence (PPL) examinations to process candidates' examination applications, call up the required examinations and issue results and knowledge deficiency report.
Chief Flying Instructors (CFI) of approved Australian flying training schools may apply to a CASA Area Office to be CyberExams supervisor for PPL examinations.
Conduct of examination & security
The examination will be presented on the approved supervisor's Internet-capable personal computer (PC). The candidate may then attempt the examination on this PC using a computer "mouse" to select the desired answers. This PC must be located in a secure examination room.
The primary function of the supervisor will be the supervision of the examination sitting.
Practice exams
For the rare candidate who is a computer novice, there will always be a "Practice Exam" before each actual examination, to guide the candidate through the navigation of a typical CyberExams examination. This "Practice Exam" is also available on the CASA website as well as on the supervisor's menu when CyberExams is logged on.
Results advice & KDR
Issue of results (RA) and a Knowledge-Deficiency-Report (KDR) will also be online, and virtually immediately after the completion of examination attempt. The supervisor may then print out a copy of this RA/KDR for the candidate, if required.
Required equipment
Basically, the major requirement for a CyberExams supervisor is an Internet capable PC and a printer. Minimum equipment requirements are listed in Appendix I. Intending participants are advised to obtain competent advice prior to acquiring the equipment and Internet services.
Participation
Intending participants should also note that in the near future, credit payment online will be an integral element of the fee collecting process, and a credit card facility will be mandatory.
When approved by FCL, supervisors will receive a CyberExams Package. This Package will comprise of:
- Supervisor Handbook
- Operating checklist (basically a precis of salient system operating points from the Handbook)
- Detailed instructions for download of the security browser
- Password for system
Registering intent to participate
The following PPL examinations are available:
- PPL Aeroplanes (PPLA) and Overseas PPLA Conversion (PAOS), only to flying training schools operating aeroplanes
- PPL Helicopter (PPLH) and Overseas PPLH Conversion (PHOS), only to flying training schools operating helicopters
- Private IFR Rating (PIFR), only to flying schools approved to conduct instrument flying training
When applying to be a CyberExams supervisor, CFIs must supply their professional details as per the Application Form in Appendix II.
Applicants are also encouraged to supply details of their PC/printer details as per the list of Equipment Requirement (see Appendix I). The information will support CASA's ability to provide assistance to supervisors. It will be in a supervisor's best interest to supply details of their equipment with their application.
Additional supervisor
If, after approval as a CyberExams supervisor, a CFI is of the opinion that his/her flying duties is such that another supervisor in the same school may be required support the examination activities, the CFI may recommend another person [and certify that he/she is not an aeronautical knowledge (theory) instructor] to apply for approval as a CyberExams supervisor. CASA will then assess the acceptability of such an application.
Portability of supervisory approval
A CyberExams supervisor is approved on the basis of his/her position as the CFI (or, as a staff nominee of the CFI) of an Australian approved flying training school. This privilege is not portable, and shall be surrendered when the supervisor is no longer the CFI of the school.
The CFI shall be responsible for informing CASA when a staff member who is a CyberExams supervisor no longer enjoys his/her confidence or leaves the school.
PPL examination business hours
All PPL examination sittings may only be conducted during business hours between 0800 (8 am) and 1800 (6 pm) LOCAL, seven days a week, except when the system is down for the occasional maintenance. CASA will advise via the e-mail system or homepage notice board of any such maintenance.
However, other business activities such as examination applications, use of the Practice Exams, financial/invoice consolidation, printing of RA/KDR, etc may be conducted outside these hours.
No CyberExams system support on weekends and public holidays
More information about CyberExams systems administrator support is available for supervisors.
Supervision fees
One of the supervisors' duties is the collection of CASA examination fees for CASA. Besides this, the supervisors may set and collect their own supervision fees. There is no requirement to submit a supervisor's fee to CASA for approval.
E-mail address
A secure e-mail address accessible only by the applicant is mandatory. This is necessary as the supervisor's password and other confidential information will only be transmitted to this e-mail address. An applicant who does not provide an e-mail address, assessed by the CASA Area Officer as secure and accessible only by the applicant, will not be approved.
Supervisors are advised to check their e-mail account regularly for CASA messages. This may save them the trouble of telephoning the CyberExams contact officer, as the information desired may have been e-mailed to them already.
PC setup advice
Following approval, the supervisor's PC will be setup to access CyberExams. Sometimes the CyberExams homepage may not be obtained when attempting to access the system. Supervisors are then advised to run through the setup instructions again carefully. Incorrect setup has proven to be the main error.
CyberExams contacts
Further information or queries may be forwarded to:
E-mail: clarc@casa.gov.au
Telephone: (02) 6217 1649
Fax: (02) 6217 1664
Appendices
Appendix 1: Required Equipment
Appendix II: Application Form (10K
Adobe Acrobat file)