AMC4 ORA.ATO.125 Training programme

ED Decision 2012/007/R

FLIGHT TEST TRAINING COURSES – AEROPLANES AND HELICOPTERS

(a)     Introduction

(1)     The flight test training course should, as far as possible, provide for a continuous process of ground and flight training to enable the student to assimilate the knowledge and skills required to conduct flight testing safely and efficiently. The student’s ability to do this should be determined by the demonstration of a satisfactory level of theoretical knowledge of flight testing determined by progressive checking of knowledge and examination and progressive assessment by the ATO during flying training. There should be no difference in the level of knowledge or competency required of the student, irrespective of the intended role of the student as test pilot or other flight test personnel (for example, flight test engineer) within the flight crew.

(2)     The flight test training course should normally be conducted as a single, full-time course of study and training.

(b)     Programme of theoretical knowledge and flight training

(1)     The training programme should specify the time allocated to theoretical knowledge training and flying training.

(2)     If the ATO wishes to provide a flight test training course that includes credit for previous experience on flight testing activity, the entry requirements to such courses should be specified by the ATO and should define the minimum level of experience and qualification required of the flight test crew member.

GROUND TRAINING

(c)      Syllabus

(1)     The ground training syllabus should provide for the student to gain a thorough understanding of flight testing techniques.

(d)     Theoretical knowledge instruction

(1)     The theoretical knowledge instruction training should give the student a thorough knowledge of the academic requirements of flight testing.

(e)     Facilities and training aids

(1)     The ATO should provide adequate facilities for classroom instruction and have available appropriately qualified and experienced instructors. Training aids should enable students to gain practical experience of flight testing covered by the theoretical knowledge syllabus and enable such practical application of the knowledge to be carried out in a multicrew environment. Facilities should be made available for student selfstudy outside the formal training programme.

(f)      Computer-based training (CBT)

(1)     CBT provides a valuable source of theoretical instruction, enabling the student to progress at his/her own pace within specified time limits. Many such systems ensure that syllabus subjects are fully covered and progress can be denied until a satisfactory assimilation of knowledge has been demonstrated. Such systems may allow self-study or distance learning, if they incorporate adequate knowledge testing procedures. When CBT is used as part of the theoretical knowledge instruction phase, the student should also have access to a suitably qualified instructor able to assist with areas of difficulty for the student.

(g)     Self-study and distance learning

(1)     Elements of the theoretical knowledge syllabus may be adequately addressed by distance learning, if approved, or self-study, particularly when utilising CBT. Progress testing, either by self-assessed or instructor-evaluated means, should be included in any self-study programme. If self-study or distance learning is included in the theoretical knowledge training, the course should also provide for an adequate period of supervised consolidation and knowledge testing prior to the commencement of flight training.

(h)     Progress tests and final theoretical knowledge examination

(1)     The theoretical knowledge training programme should provide for progressive testing of the assimilation of the required knowledge. This testing process should also provide for retesting of syllabus items so that a thorough understanding of the required knowledge is assured. This should be achieved by intervention by a qualified instructor or, if using CBT with a self-testing facility, and by further testing during the supervised consolidation phase of the ground course.

(2)     The theoretical knowledge examinations should cover all areas of the theoretical knowledge syllabus. The examinations should be conducted as supervised written or oral knowledge tests without reference to course material. The pass mark (as defined by the ATO) assumes the achievement of satisfactory levels of knowledge during the progressive phase tests of the course. The student should be advised of any areas of lack of knowledge displayed during the examination and, if necessary, given remedial instruction.

FLIGHT TRAINING

(i)      Aeroplane and helicopter training

(1)     It is widely accepted that flying training normally involves inherent delay in achieving an acceptable flight situation and configuration for training to be carried out in accordance with the agreed syllabus. These could include ATC or other traffic delay on the ground prior to take off, the necessity to climb to height or transit to suitable training areas and the unavoidable need to physically reposition the aircraft for subsequent or repeat manoeuvres or instrument approaches. In such cases it should be ensured that the training syllabus provides adequate flexibility to enable the minimum amount of required flight training to be carried out.

FINAL IN-FLIGHT EXERCISE

(j)      Upon completion of the flight test training, the test pilot or flight test engineer will be required to undergo in-flight exercise with a flight test instructor (FTI) to demonstrate adequate competency of flight testing for issue of the flight test rating. The final in-flight exercise must be conducted in an appropriate aeroplane or helicopter (as applicable).

COURSE COMPLETION CERTIFICATE

(k)     The HT is required to certify that the applicant has successfully completed the training course.