FCL.1020 Examiners assessment of competence

GENERAL

(a)The competent authority may nominate either one of its inspectors or a senior examiner to assess the competence of applicants for an examiner certificate.

DEFINITIONS

(b)Definitions:

(1)‘Inspector’: the inspector of the competent authority conducting the examiner competence assessment;

(2)‘Examiner applicant’: the person seeking certification as an examiner;

(3)‘Candidate’: the person being tested or checked by the examiner applicant. This person may be a pilot for whom the test or check would be required, or the inspector of the competent authority who is conducting the examiner certification acceptance test.

CONDUCT OF THE ASSESSMENT

(c)An inspector of the competent authority or a senior examiner will observe all examiner applicants conducting a test on a ‘candidate’ in an aircraft for which examiner certificate is sought. Items from the related training course and test or check schedule will be selected by the inspector for examination of the ‘candidate’ by the examiner applicant. Having agreed with the inspector the content of the test, the examiner applicant will be expected to manage the entire test. This will include briefing, the conduct of the flight, assessment and debriefing of the ‘candidate’. The inspector will discuss the assessment with the examiner applicant before the ‘candidate’ is debriefed and informed of the result. BRIEFING THE ‘CANDIDATE’

(d)The ‘candidate’ should be given time and facilities to prepare for the test flight. The briefing should cover the following:

(1)the objective of the flight;

(2)licensing checks, as necessary;

(3)freedom for the ‘candidate’ to ask questions;

(4)operating procedures to be followed (for example operators manual);

(5)weather assessment;

(6)operating capacity of ‘candidate’ and examiner;

(7)aims to be identified by ‘candidate’;

(8)simulated weather assumptions (for example icing and cloud base);

(9)use of screens (if applicable);

(10)contents of exercise to be performed;

(11)agreed speed and handling parameters (for example V-speeds, bank angle, approach minima);

(12)use of R/T;

(13)respective roles of ‘candidate’ and examiner (for example during emergency);

(14)administrative procedures (for example submission of flight plan).

(e)The examiner applicant should maintain the necessary level of communication with the ‘candidate’. The following check details should be followed by the examiner applicant:

(1)involvement of examiner in a MP operating environment;

(2)the need to give the ‘candidate’ precise instructions;

(3)responsibility for safe conduct of the flight;

(4)intervention by examiner, when necessary;

(5)use of screens;

(6)liaison with ATC and the need for concise, easily understood intentions;

(7)prompting the ‘candidate’ about required sequence of events (for example following a go-around);

(8)keeping brief, factual and unobtrusive notes.

ASSESSMENT

(f)The examiner applicant should refer to the flight test tolerances given in the relevant skill test. Attention should be paid to the following points:

(1)questions from the ‘candidate’;

(2)give results of the test and any sections failed;

(3)give reasons for failure.

DEBRIEFING

(g)The examiner applicant should demonstrate to the inspector the ability to conduct a fair, unbiased debriefing of the ‘candidate’ based on identifiable factual items. A balance between friendliness and firmness should be evident. The following points should be discussed with the ‘candidate’, at the applicant’s discretion:

(1)advise the candidate on how to avoid or correct mistakes;

(2)mention any other points of criticism noted;

(3)give any advice considered helpful.

RECORDING OR DOCUMENTATION

(h)The examiner applicant should demonstrate to the inspector the ability to complete the relevant records correctly. These records may be:

(1)the relevant test or check form;

(2)licence entry;

(3)notification of failure form;

(4)relevant company forms where the examiner has privileges of conducting operator proficiency checks.

DEMONSTRATION OF THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE

(i)The examiner applicant should demonstrate to the inspector a satisfactory knowledge of the regulatory requirements associated with the function of an examiner.

QUALIFICATION OF SENIOR EXAMINERS

(a)A senior examiner specifically tasked by the competent authority to observe skill tests or proficiency checks for the revalidation of examiner certificates should:

(1)hold a valid or current examiner certificate appropriate to the privileges being given;

(2)have examiner experience level acceptable to the competent authority;

(3)have conducted a number of skill tests or proficiency checks as a Part-FCL examiner.

(b)The competent authority may conduct a pre-assessment of the applicant or candidate carrying out a skill test and proficiency check under supervision of an inspector of the competent authority.

(c)Applicants should be required to attend a senior examiner briefing, course or seminar arranged by the competent authority. Content and duration will be determined by the competent authority and should include:

(1)pre-course self-study;

(2)legislation;

(3)the role of the senior examiner;

(4)an examiner assessment;

(5)national administrative requirements.

(d)The validity of the authorisation should not exceed the validity of the examiners certificate, and in any case should not exceed 3 years. The authorisation may be revalidated in accordance with procedures established by the competent authority.