SEP and MEP revalidations
Sorry to bring up this vexed subject again but both my MEP and SEP revalidations are due shortly. I have various queries!
My own aircraft has recently had a major engine rebuild and the bedding in procedure involves initially flying at 75% power settings only. I dont wish to knacker my new turbo charged engine with rapid power changes, stalls, forced landings etc frequently encountered during a typical revalidation flight. As I understand it , I am only required to have a one hour "flight" with an instructor and whilst there is a recommended CAA syllabus for this flight, it is not legally binding, and if I wish I can simply drone around the sky for an hour with an instructor.. The FTO I normally use however has indicated that it is their policy to conduct all revalidations in accordance with the recommended syllabus,and if I decline to do so the instructor will not sign me off. This means that unless I pay to rent another aircraft with which I am unfamiliar, at dual rates, and perform the flight to the satisfaction of the instructor, then my "flight" has become a "Test" and not a flight ! Any one any comments about this?
Secondly after some difficulty in previous years in persuading my examiner that I can revalidate my SEP with my MEP flight all in one operation (without the necessity to have two separate flights,) I have been giving some thought to the matter of whether the MEP revalidation is a "Test" or a "Flight"? My examiner has historically conducted the flight as though it were a test and has charged me an examiner test fee in addition to normal dual twin hire rates. I seldom have the "10 route sectors" on twins but this seems to me to be a complete red herring since a flight with an examiner is required regardless of how many route sectors one has! Should the MEP flight be a "Test"? or merely a "flight or a "route sector" flown with an examiner? Is it possible to "fail" either an SEP or MEP revalidation (I am not talking renewals here ) Other Pilots have also told me that I should be signing a CAA form at the end of a revalidation flight, but I have never been asked or required to do this. The Examiner has simply endorsed my log book and ratings certificate appropriately. Help! is it me or has bureaucracy gone mad here?