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CPL (Balloon) exams

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 PEXO exam system. Each part shall be attempted as a separate examination and both subject-parts must be passed within a window.

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are reminded that every item in the respective syllabus, except for Item 3.5 Balloon Type Knowledge and those rendered out-of-date by CASA regulatory and air publication changes, is tested in the examination.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(B) pass credit

To be awarded a full CPL(B) exam credit, the candidate shall pass the two subject-parts, CLWB and COPB, within one ‘window’ (the prescribed period of time permitted). Once both subject-parts have been passed within one window, a CPL(B) theory credit is awarded to the candidate, which once awarded, is valid perpetually. If a candidate passes one, but not both subject-parts within a window (see Re-training period and window), then they must pass (or re-pass) additional subject-parts until both subject-parts are passed within one window to achieve a full CPL(B) theory credit.

Notes:

  • A pass in a subject exam may only be held as a temporary pass until the candidate successfully completes the set of two subject exams in the window period described above.
  • If both CLWB and COPB exams are not passed within the defined period, the temporary pass(es) for individual subject-part exam(s) will progressively change status to expired at the end of the window.

Therefore candidates are strongly advised not to attempt any subject exam until they have undertaken comprehensive and satisfactory aeronautical knowledge training, required by the respective aeronautical knowledge syllabus. It is each candidate’s responsibility to plan their studies and exams so that they are completed within one window.

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.

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.