INSTRUMENT RATING (SENIOR PRIVATE PILOT) UK FLIGHT TEST STANDARDS This document applies to Senior Private Pilot exams within UK airspace only, and should not be used elsewhere as some subjects are only tested within the UK. First edition, 21/10/2009 IVAO United Kingdom Training
Contents 1. Requirements 3 2. Applying for the exam 3 3. Validation of the exam 3 4. Private Pilot Practical exam details 4.1 Overview 3 4.2 Route 3 4.3 Charts 4 4.4 Use of autopilot 4 4.5 Connection 4 4.6 Use of text 4 4.7 Air Traffic Control 4 4.8 Theory 4 5. Evaluation system 5.1 Tasks and requirements 5 5.2 Standards 6 5.3 Marking method 7 2
1. Requirements Previous Rating Requirements: Have your Private Pilot rating and at least 100 hours of logged time on IVAN as a pilot. Theoretical Exam: Complete the SPP online test (20 questions). Practical Exam: Examiner will check your proficiency in IFR exercises. 2. Applying for the exam A theoretical exam can be requested at http://www.ivao.aero/training/ by using the Upgrade menu, or at http://www.ivao.aero/members/person/details.asp on the Training page. After your successful theoretical exam, you can apply for the practical part of the exam with no delay. Your exam will be assigned to one of the United Kingdom flight test examiners. Although the examiners check their box regularly we highly recommend you contact your assigned examiner by e-mail to set a date. 3. Validation of the exam After the flight test your examiner will send his evaluation to the Training Director who will assign a validator to verify the marking based on the comments of your examiner. Validation usually takes 1-3 days. 4. Flight Test 4.1. Overview The Senior Private Pilot practical exam is a series of tasks to verify IFR flying skills and navigation. You may use any twin-engine piston, turbocharged or turboprop aircraft such as a Baron 58, King-Air 200, Beechcraft 1900 or similar. Make sure you choose an aircraft you know well. 4.2 Route Two standard routes exist for the SPP exam, your examiner will advise you which one to plan. Route 1: Stansted to Cardiff, alternate Bristol, Filton or Exeter. Route 2: Stansted to Doncaster, alternate Leeds, Humberside or East Midlands. You should plan the route making use of airways, SIDs and STARs when available. Your route must comply with any routing restrictions and one-way airways. 3
4.3 Charts You will need charts for your exam. If you show up without them the exam will be considered an automatic failure. You will be expected to find all applicable charts yourself, they are available online. 4.4 Use of Autopilot Full use of the autopilot and flight management computer is permitted throughout the exam but remember you are ultimately responsible for navigation. The examiner may instruct you to carry out certain exercises using raw data only - use of the FMC won t be permitted. 4.5 Connection Connect to IVAO at the assigned departure airfield, with the following callsign: EXM#### where #### are the last 4 digits of your exam number. Your exam number can be found on the My detalis page under the Training tab. You may only use IVAO approved software to connect to the network. 4.6 Use of Text Use of voice-receive is mandatory for the exam, and transmitting on voice will make your exam easier however we do allow text transmission. 4.7 Air Traffic Control Your examiner will usually be your controller for the duration of your flight test. Contact the controller as if this were a normal flight. If you are required to operate outside controlled airspace you will be expected to request a service which is appropriate to your flight and the airspace you are operating in. 4.8 Theoretical Questions Before the skills test starts your examiner will ask you theoretical questions from the syllabus on the next page. Occasionally the theoretical portion of the exam may take place the day before the flight test. 4
5. Evaluation 5.1 Tasks and requirements The overall score on the exam is 100 points. The pass mark is 75/100. You will be marked on the following tasks. Items in blue are new to the SPP rating. Theoretical knowledge - knowledge of: - Air law - Requirements to operate in RVSM - Interpretation of NOTAMS - Airspace classification - Requirements to operate in controlled airspace - Non-discreet transponder codes (2000, 7000, 7500, 7600, 7700) - Charts - Standard Instrument Departures (SID) and Arrivals (STAR) - Approach description and associated minima - MEA, MOCA, MSA - Controlled airspace - Aerodrome features - Airmanship - Operational weight limitations (MTOW, MLW) - Take-off / approach / landing speeds and flap settings - Average fuel consumption and cruise speed - Different pressure settings and the difference between flight level, altitude and height - Transition altitude and transition level - Principles of airspeed measurement: IAS, TAS, GS. - Meteorology - Decode METAR / TAF - Weather limitations for destination, alternate Connection / callsign / etc. - Location on the airport - Correcct callsign - Transponder code / mode Flight planning - Ability to plan a route between designated airfields as stated above - Knowledge of semi-circular and quadrantal rules, and when they apply - Accuracy of planned en-route time and fuel requirements - Knowledge of equipment codes - Ability to complete standard flight plan form Ground movement - Ability to taxi to assigned runway along designated taxiways - Ability to recognise intermediate holding points 5
Take off / Departure - Appropriate rotation speed - Proper use of flaps - Smooth climb-out - Compliance with departure clearance / SID Navigation - Accuracy of navigation - Ability to intercept and track a defined radial/bearing to a VOR and/or NDB station using radionavigation - Use of correct altimeter setting - Prompt change of altitude and turn to assigned heading when instructed by ATC. Arrival / Hold - Accurate calculation of top of descent - Compliance with arrival procedure / STAR and clearance limit - Accurate holding pattern as published or as instructed by ATC - Compliance with all published speed restrictions Approach / Go-around / Landing - Accuracy of full-procedure precision approach - Compliance with altitude restrictions and minima - Go-around and missed approach procedure including hold if needed - Accuracy of radar vectored non-precision approach - Any mandatory calls - Correct speeds for approach, go-around and landing - Proper use of flaps throughout Communication - Use of correct phraseology at all times - Compliance with instructions and clearances - Correct usage of ATC services - Ability to communicate and make position reports using text 5.2 Standards Navigation - Altitude: +/- 100ft (assigned or planned altitude) - Heading / VOR tracking: +/- 5 - Times : +/- 3 minutes - Speeds: +/- 10kts Phraseology - Use of correct phraseology at all times. - Prompt, accurate readbacks. 6
5.3 Marking method Each task will be scored separately, focusing on the points mentioned in 5.1. The score will reflect your ability to accurately execute the exercise and your performance. The scores from each exercise will give the final score of the exam, you must complete every exercise/task to pass the exam. If you are unable to execute a task to the required standard that task will be marked with 0 (zero). If 1 (one) or 2 (two) tasks are marked with 0 (zero), after completing all tasks, the examiner may offer the you to repeat those tasks. If you are unable to execute the exercise on second attempt, or choose not to repeat them the exam will be marked as a failure. The score on the second attempt will be, by default, one point lower than the score that would have been assigned on the first attempt. If you fail more than 2 (two) tasks the exam will be terminated immediately, and the score will be, at most, 50/100. 7