AMC No 1 to Appendix XII – Training courses for Lead Flight Test Engineers (LFTEs)

GENERAL

1.Competency-based training

1.1. LFTE training courses should be competency-based. The training programme should, as much as possible, follow the syllabus outlined below, but may be adapted taking into account the previous experience, skills and theoretical knowledge level of the students.

1.2. It should also be recognised that the syllabus below assume that suitable flight test experience will be gained subsequent to course attendance. Should the student be significantly experienced already, then consideration should be made of that experience and it is possible that the course content might be reduced in areas where that experience has been gained.

1.3. Furthermore, it should be noted that LFTE courses are specific both to a certain category of aircraft (aeroplanes or helicopters) and to a certain category of flight test (Category 1 or 2). Therefore, an LFTE wishing to extend their privileges to further categories of aircraft or to further categories of flight test (this is only relevant for someone having already undertaken a Category 2 course) should not be requested to undertake the same course as an ‘ab initio applicant’. In these cases, the organisation providing the training should develop specific ‘bridge courses’ taking into account the same principles mentioned above.

1.4. To allow proper consideration of the student’s previous experience, a pre-entry assessment of the student’s skills should be undertaken on the basis of which the organisation providing the training may evaluate the level of the applicant in order to better tailor the course. Consequently, the syllabi listed below should be regarded as a list of individual demonstrable competencies and qualifications rather than a list of mandatory training objectives.

2.Continuous evaluation

2.1. Training courses should be built on a continuous evaluation model in order to ensure that successful completion of the course ensures that the student has reached the level of competence (both theoretical and practical) necessary to carry on their functions.

COURSE CONTENT

3.In addition, the content of the course should vary taking into account whether the student wants to undertake a Category 1 or Category 2 flight test, as well as the relevant category of aircraft, and their level of complexity. In order to better take these factors into account, LFTE training courses have been divided into levels similar to those for the pilot flight test rating.

3.1 Competence Level 1 courses apply to Category 1 flight tests on: a. helicopters certified in accordance with the standards of CS-27 or CS-29 or equivalent airworthiness codes; b. aeroplanes certified in accordance with:

(i)the standards of CS-25 or equivalent airworthiness codes; or

(ii)the standards of CS-23 or equivalent airworthiness codes within the commuter category or having a design diving speed (MD) above 0,6 or a maximum ceiling above 25 000 ft.

3.2 Competence Level 2 courses apply to: a. Category 2 flight tests for:

(i)helicopters certified in accordance with the standards of CS-27 or CS-29 or equivalent airworthiness codes;

(ii)aeroplanes certified in accordance with: the standards of CS-25 or equivalent airworthiness codes; or the standards of CS-23 or equivalent airworthiness codes (including those mentioned in 3.1.b.(ii)), except for aeroplanes with a maximum take-off mass of less than 2 000 kg. b. Category 1 flight tests for aeroplanes certified in accordance with the standards of CS-23, with a maximum take-off mass of 2 000 kg or above, with the exclusion of those mentioned in 3.1.b.(ii) (which are subject to competence Level 1 courses).

AEROPLANES

4.Competence Level 1 courses for aeroplanes

4.1. These courses should include approximately: a. 350 hours of ground training; and b. 60 hours of flight training, during which at least 10 flights should be made without an FTE tutor on board (i.e. unsupervised). c. Principles of test management and risk and safety management should be integrated throughout the course. In addition, principles and methods applicable to the certification activity and safety assessments should be taught. A review of the principles of Crew Resource Management (CRM) tailored to the flight test environment should be included.

4.2. These courses should include instruction on at least six different aircraft types, of which at least one should be certified in accordance with CS-25 standards or equivalent airworthiness codes.

4.3. During the course, the student should be required to develop at least five substantial flight test reports.

4.4. The student should be evaluated through examinations on all of the theoretical knowledge subjects, and should undertake a final in-flight test upon completion of the syllabus.

4.5. Syllabus. The following subjects should be covered in the course:

5.Competence Level 2 courses for aeroplanes

5.1. These courses should include approximately: a. 150 hours of ground training; and b. 30 hours of flight training, during which at least 6 flights should be made without an FTE tutor on board (i.e. unsupervised). c. Principles of test management and risk and safety management should be integrated throughout the course. In addition, principles and methods applicable to the certification activity and safety assessments should be taught. A review of the principles of CRM tailored to the flight test environment should be included.

5.2. These courses should include instruction on at least five different aircraft types, of which at least one should be certified in accordance with CS-25 standards or equivalent airworthiness codes.

5.3. During the course, the student should be required to develop at least three substantial flight test reports.

5.4. The student should be evaluated through examinations on all of the theoretical knowledge subjects, and should undertake a final in-flight test upon completion of the syllabus.

5.5. Syllabus. The following subjects should be covered in the course:

HELICOPTERS

6.Competence Level 1 courses for helicopters

6.1. These courses should include approximately: a. 350 hours of ground training; and b. 60 hours of flight training, during which at least 15 flights should be made without an FTE tutor on board (i.e. unsupervised). c. Principles of test management and risk and safety management should be integrated throughout the course. In addition, principles and methods applicable to the certification activity and safety assessments should be taught. A review of the principles of CRM tailored to the flight test environment should be included.

6.2. These courses should include instruction on at least six different aircraft types, of which at least one should be certified in accordance with CS-29 standards or equivalent airworthiness codes.

6.3. During the course, the student should be required to develop at least five substantial flight test reports.

6.4. The student should be evaluated through examinations on all of the theoretical knowledge subjects, and should undertake a final in-flight test upon completion of the syllabus.

6.5. Syllabus. The following subjects should be covered in the course:

7.Competence Level 2 courses for helicopters.

7.1. These courses should include approximately: a. 150 hours of ground training; and b. 30 hours of flight training, during which at least 6 flights should be made without an FTE tutor on board (i.e. unsupervised); c. Principles of test management and risk and safety management should be integrated throughout the course. In addition, principles and methods applicable to the certification activity and safety assessments should be taught. A review of the principles of CRM tailored to the flight test environment should be included.

7.2. These courses should include instruction on at least four different aircraft types, of which at least one should be certified in accordance with CS-29 standards or equivalent airworthiness codes.

7.3. During the course, the student should be required to develop at least three substantial flight test reports.

7.4. The student should be evaluated through examinations on all of the theoretical knowledge subjects, and should undertake a final in-flight test upon completion of the syllabus.

7.5. Syllabus. The following subjects should be covered in the course: