I suspect that I was one of the many poor unfortunates that failed to have their exam mark upped last month. Sadly for me, it was my last chance at it. I am 'happy' to go throught the mill again and know in my heart of hearts that I can do it and, more importantly, that I will eventually become a commercial airline pilot. Nevertheless I am left in state of disbelief and disillusionment concerning the ATPL examinations in general.
I am indeed happy for the individuals that may have benefited from the CAA's 'internal quality procedure' and that it exists at all. However, I think that everyone involved in June exams is entitled to know the full details of the oversights in this case and whether they would have affected us individually and our results in previous examinations!!
In my view the JAA must also seriously consider bringing in the huge US style 'open question bank' and feedback to exams so that there is no doubt of the 'correct JAA' answers to the questions and that stupid people like me get to know the areas in which they need to do work to get through these freakin' exams!
For those thinking about taking the exams, DON'T underestimate the task in hand when attempting to gain the ATPL examinations, it involves huge financial and personal sacrifices. Even more demoralising is the fact that most individuals cannot justify flying at all until they have got over the hurdle of the JAR exams. In that sense they are definitely not a 'practical test' of knowledge but more a 'barrier to entry'. I am always positive when discussing the JAA/CAA and I want to be in the future but in the area of ATPL exams I am left tearing my hair out, including many premature grey ones...
