Here is another example of a question not covered by the learning objectives from this last week's Comms exam:
Q. When would a METAR cause an immediate update to an ATIS?
(a) Upon receipt of a METAR SPECI (correct)
(b) Upon receipt of any official weather, regardless of content change or reported values
(c) Only when the ceiling and/or visibility changes by a reportable value
(d) Every 30 minutes if weather conditions are below those for VFR; otherwise hourly
The correct LO for this would be something like:
"State the circumstances when a METAR would cause an immediate update to an ATIS".
The closest actual LO is, in VFR Comms:
"List the contents of aerodrome weather reports and state units of measurement used for each item
- Wind direction and speed
- Variation of wind direction and speed
- Visibility
- Present weather
- Cloud amount and type (including the meaning of CAVOK)
- Air temperature and dewpoint
- Pressure values (QNH, QFE)
- Supplementary information (aerodrome warnings, landing runway, runway conditions, restrictions, obstructions, windshear warnings, etc)"
How could a candidate anticipate that question from the existing learning objective? This is the point we are trying to get across to the CAA. There is no way that we can prepare candidates for some of these new questions in advance of their issue. This also reinforces Paco's point about the review of technical content. We are told that these questions have been past two subject experts for validation. Really?
Out of interest, this point is not covered in the Met LOs either, the closest LO there is:
"Describe the meteorological content of broadcasts for aviation:
- VOLMET, ATIS
- HF-VOLMET"
Last edited by Alex Whittingham; 15th Mar 2016 at 11:10.