FCL.1015 Examiner standardisation

GENERAL

(a)The competent authority should provide the course itself or through an arrangement with an ATO. This arrangement should clearly state that the ATO acts under the management system of the competent authority.

(b)The course should last:

(1)for the FE and FIE, at least 1 day, divided into theoretical and practical training;

(2)for other examiners, at least 3 days, divided into theoretical training (1 day) and practical training conducting real or role-played proficiency checks, skill tests or assessments of competence (at least 2 days).

(c)The competent authority or the ATO should determine any further training required before presenting the candidate for the examiner assessment of competence.

CONTENT

(d)The training should comprise:

(1)Theoretical training covering at least:

(i)the contents of AMC2 FCL.1015 and the FEM;

(ii)Part-FCL and related AMCs and GM relevant to their duties;

(iii)operational requirements and related AMCs and GM relevant to their duties;

(iv)national requirements relevant to their examination duties;

(v)fundamentals of human performance and limitations relevant to flight examination;

(vi)fundamentals of evaluation relevant to applicant’s performance;

(vii)the management system of ATOs and the organisational structure of DTOs;

(viii)MCC, human performance and limitations, if applicable.

(2)Examiners should also be briefed on the protection requirements for personal data, liability, accident insurance and fees, as applicable in the member state concerned.

(3)All items above are the core knowledge requirements for an examiner and are recommended as the core course material. This core course may be studied before recommended examiner training is commenced. The core course may utilise any suitable training format.

(4)Practical training consisting of at least:

(i)knowledge and management of the test for which the certificate is to be sought. These are described in the relevant modules in the FEM;

(ii)knowledge of the administrative procedures pertaining to that test or check.

(5)For an initial examiner certificate, practical training should include the examination of the test profile sought, consisting of the conduct of at least two test or check profiles in the role of examiner (these two tests or checks profiles can be performed in the same simulator session), including briefing, conduct of the skill test and proficiency check, assessment of the applicant to whom the test or check is given, debriefing and recording or documentation under the supervision of an examiner of the appropriate category on the applicable type. This training is conducted in the aircraft if approval for testing or checking in the aircraft is required. If examiner privileges in FSTD’s are required, practical instruction in the use of FSTD(s) for testing or checking should also be completed.

(6)If examiner privileges are to include the conduct of proficiency checks for the revalidation or renewal of an instrument rating, practical instruction should include the conduct of at least four instrument check profiles in the role of examiner, including briefing, conduct of the skill test and proficiency check, assessment of the applicant to whom the test or check is given, debriefing and recording or documentation under the supervision of an examiner of the appropriate category on the applicable type. This training is conducted in the aircraft if approval for testing or checking in the aircraft is required. If examiner privileges in both FSTD and aircraft are required, at least one of the instrument check profiles should be conducted in an FSTD.

(7)For extension of an examiner certificate to further types (as required for TRE), further practical training on the new type may be required, consisting of the conduct of at least one test or check profile in the role of examiner on the new type, including briefing, conduct of the skill test and proficiency check, assessment of the applicant to whom the test or check is given, debriefing and recording or documentation under the supervision of an examiner of the appropriate category on the applicable type. A further examiner check on the new type may be required, which may be supervised by an inspector of the competent authority or a suitably authorised senior examiner.

STANDARDISATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR EXAMINERS

LIMITATIONS

(a)An examiner should allow an applicant adequate time to prepare for a test or check, normally not more than 1 hour.

(b)An examiner should plan a test or check flight so that all required exercises can be performed while allowing sufficient time for each of the exercises and with due regard to the weather conditions, traffic situation, ATC requirements and local procedures.

PURPOSE OF A TEST OR CHECK

(c)Determine through practical demonstration during a test or check that an applicant has acquired or maintained the required level of knowledge and skill or proficiency.

(d)Improve training and flight instruction in ATOs or DTOs by feedback of information from examiners about items or sections of tests or checks that are most frequently failed.

(e)Assist in maintaining and, where possible, improving air safety standards by having examiners display good airmanship and flight discipline during tests or checks.

CONDUCT OF TEST OR CHECK

(f)An examiner will ensure that an applicant completes a test or check in accordance with Part-FCL requirements and is assessed against the required test or check standards.

(g)Each item within a test or check section should be completed and assessed separately. The test or check schedule, as briefed, should not normally be altered by an examiner. A failed item is not always a failed section, for example type rating skill test where a failure of an item in a section does not fail the entire section, only the failed item is taken again.

(h)Marginal or questionable performance of a test or check item should not influence an examiner’s assessment of any subsequent items.

(i)An examiner should verify the requirements and limitations of a test or check with an applicant during the pre-flight briefing.

(j)When a test or check is completed or discontinued, an examiner should debrief the applicant and give reasons for items or sections failed. In case of a failed or discontinued skill test and proficiency check, the examiner should provide appropriate advice to assist the applicant in re-tests or re-checks.

(k)Any comment on, or disagreement with, an examiner’s test or check evaluation or assessment made during a debriefing will be recorded by the examiner on the test or check report, and will be signed by the examiner and countersigned by the applicant.

EXAMINER PREPARATION

(l)An examiner should supervise all aspects of the test or check flight preparation, including, where necessary, obtaining or assuring an ATC ‘slot’ time.

(m)An examiner will plan a test or check in accordance with Part-FCL requirements. Only the manoeuvres and procedures set out in the appropriate test or check form will be undertaken. The same examiner should not reexamine a failed applicant without the agreement of the applicant.

EXAMINER APPROACH

(n)An examiner should encourage a friendly and relaxed atmosphere to develop both before and during a test or check flight. A negative or hostile approach should not be used. During the test or check flight, the examiner should avoid negative comments or criticisms and all assessments should be reserved for the debriefing.

ASSESSMENT SYSTEM

(o)Although test or checks may specify flight test tolerances, an applicant should not be expected to achieve these at the expense of smoothness or stable flight. An examiner should make due allowance for unavoidable deviations due to turbulence, ATC instructions, etc. An examiner should terminate a test or check only when it is clear that the applicant has not been able to demonstrate the required level of knowledge, skill or proficiency and that a full re-test will be necessary or for safety reasons. An examiner will use one of the following terms for assessment:

(1)a ‘pass’, provided that the applicant demonstrates the required level of knowledge, skill or proficiency and, where applicable, remains within the flight test tolerances for the licence or rating;

(2)a ‘fail’ provided that any of the following apply:

(i)the flight test tolerances have been exceeded after the examiner has made due allowance for turbulence or ATC instructions;

(ii)the aim of the test or check is not completed;

(iii)the aim of exercise is completed but at the expense of safe flight, violation of a rule or regulation, poor airmanship or rough handling;

(iv)an acceptable level of knowledge is not demonstrated;

(v)an acceptable level of flight management is not demonstrated;

(vi)the intervention of the examiner or safety pilot is required in the interest of safety.

(3)a ‘partial pass’ in accordance with the criteria shown in the relevant skill test appendix of Part-FCL.

METHOD AND CONTENTS OF THE TEST OR CHECK

(p)Before undertaking a test or check, an examiner will verify that the aircraft or FSTD intended to be used is suitable and appropriately equipped for the test or check. Aircraft that fall under points (a), (b), (c), or (d) of Annex I to the Basic Regulation can be used provided that they are subject to an authorisation as per point ORA.ATO.135 or point DTO.GEN.240.

(q)A test or check flight will be conducted in accordance with the AFM and, if applicable, the AOM.

(r)A test or check flight will be conducted within the limitations contained in the operations manual of an ATO or the operator for which the applicant is flying, as applicable, or, if available, within the limitations placed by the DTO.

(s)Contents:

(1)a test or check is comprised of:

(i)oral examination on the ground (where applicable);

(ii)pre-flight briefing;

(iii)in-flight exercises;

(iv)post-flight debriefing.

(2)oral examination on the ground should include:

(i)aircraft general knowledge and performance;

(ii)planning and operational procedures;

(iii)other relevant items or sections of the test or check.

(3)pre-flight briefing should include:

(i)test or check sequence;

(ii)power setting, speeds and approach minima, if applicable;

(iii)safety considerations.

(4)in-flight exercises will include each relevant item or section of the test or check;

(5)post-flight debriefing should include:

(i)assessment or evaluation of the applicant;

(ii)documentation of the test or check with the applicant’s FI present, if possible.

(t)A test or check is intended to simulate a practical flight. Thus, an examiner may set practical scenarios for an applicant while ensuring that the applicant is not confused and air safety is not compromised.

(u)When manoeuvres are to be flown by sole reference to instruments, the examiner should ensure that a suitable method of screening is used to simulate IMC.

(v)An examiner should maintain a flight log and assessment record during the test or check for reference during the post or flight debriefing.

(w)An examiner should be flexible to the possibility of changes arising to preflight briefings due to ATC instructions, or other circumstances affecting the test or check.

(x)Where changes arise to a planned test or check an examiner should be satisfied that the applicant understands and accepts the changes. Otherwise, the test or check flight should be terminated.

(y)Should an applicant choose not to continue a test or check for reasons considered inadequate by an examiner, the applicant will be assessed as having failed those items or sections not attempted. If the test or check is terminated for reasons considered adequate by the examiner, only these items or sections not completed will be tested during a subsequent test or check.

(z)An examiner may terminate a test or check at any stage, if it is considered that the applicant’s competency requires a complete re-test or re-check.

(a)An examiner should plan per day not more than:

(1)three tests or checks relating to PPL, CPL, IR or class ratings;

(2)four tests or checks relating to the LAPL;

(3)two tests or checks related to MPL or ATPL;

(4)two assessments of competence related to instructor certificates;

(5)four tests or checks relating to SP type ratings.

(b)An examiner should plan at least 2 hours for a LAPL, 3 hours for a PPL, CPL, IR or class rating test or checks, and at least 4 hours for instructor certificates, MPL, ATPL or MP type rating tests or checks, including preflight briefing and preparation, conduct of the test, check or assessment of competence, de-briefing, evaluation of the applicant and documentation.

(c)For the conduct of the test, check or assessment of competence, without the additional activities specified in point (b), the following values may be used as guidance:

(1)45 minutes for SP class ratings VFR only;

(2)90 minutes for LAPL(A) or LAPL(H), PPL(A) or PPL(H), and CPL(A) or CPL(H), including the navigation section;

(3)60 minutes for PPL(As) and CPL(As);

(4)60 minutes for IR, BIR, instructor certificates, and SP type or class ratings; and

(5)120 minutes for MPL, ATPL, and MP type ratings.

EXAMINER STANDARDISATION COURSES AT AN ATO OR A DTO In point FCL.1015(a) (second sentence) and in point FCL.1025(b)(2) (second sentence), the word ‘may’ is used to indicate that completing an examiner standardisation course or an examiner refresher course at a DTO is an option which can be used by examiners for sailplanes and balloons as an alternative to completing such courses provided by the competent authority or an ATO (first sentence in both point FCL.1015(a) and point FCL.1025(b)(2)).