CPL Skills Test Day (UK)

[Beethoven]

Hi, I'm nearing the end of my CPL course (fixed wing) and am trying to get my house in order, specifically relating to the planning stage of the Skills Test. I have read Standards Document 3 but was looking for some advice on what the pre-flight planning section is really like.

Firstly, I plan on using the NATS website to prepare the notams for the examiner. Standards document 3 doesn't specify what type of briefing so I'm assuming the standard Narrow Route brief with the preset 20 mile width would be ok? Any other suggestions or gotchas from the Notam perspective?

My next question relates to the method of calculating the flight planning. I've dug out the old CRP5 from my ATPL days but upon reading the Standards Document it does say that electronic devices may be used but that the examiner is free to question the candidate's understanding of the derived calculations.....dare I ask the inevitable.....if one can use SkyDemon or similar, either as the primary PLOG calculator or as a double check of CRP5 derived calculations....

Thirdly, pre flight performance calculations. There is no list of what is expected but I'm going for the usual Mass&Balance, take off and landing distances, accelerate stop distances. Anything I've missed?

Any other salient or otherwise advice for the day much appreciated. Of course I intend to clear this up with my instructor when I return but forewarned is forearmed etc...

Cheers,

Beet.

[Slipstream86]

Make sure the flightschool have the aircraft documents in order, and that you know what documents are required, and what each of them refers to.

On the day of my flight test many years ago, the flightschool internet was down so no narrow route brief was available. NOTAM brief consisted of the examiner reviewing SkyDemon on his phone with me.

Your plog would usually be prepared before the examiner arrives. Examiners don’t tend to turn up early in my experience. Use whatever method you wish. Doubtful you’d be expected to demonstrate CRP5 usage. Your examiner would likely be more interested in how you deal with plog inaccuracies in the air.

Just generally try to take command of the proceedings. Your objective is to pass your CPL flight test, so how do you plan to achieve that if for example the weather is imperfect? Where/when do you want to do the general handling exercises given weather and airspace. Take command to demonstrate to required items of your test at every opportunity.

[Beethoven]

Thanks very much Slipstream86. Some useful pointers there, much appreciated.

Best wishes,
Beet

[snchater]

Remember to dress smartly for the test.
My fellow student could not be persuaded to dispense with his bandana (yes you Michael!).
He compromised and wore a freshly ironed bandana - he only achieved a partial pass 😉

[parkfell]

Remember to dress smartly for the test.….

Another piece of advice ….Polished shoes leads to polished flying….😉
Some very old advice….If you dress like a tramp, expect to be treated as a tramp….😐

[Beethoven]

Snchater, Parkfell......seems like you know me!

[Stan Evil]

Agree with Slipstream. Have all the necessary documents ready - course completion certificate, course record folder, passport, licence, medical. Do the perf calculations iaw your Operations Manual; that will usually mean doing them iaw Part-CAT (applying the appropriate safety factors) as you're training to be a commercial pilot. Give a weather brief using the Met Forms 215 and 214; have the latest TAFS and METARS available on your iPad. Know your way around the aircraft documents - things like the Release to Service. Know what you need to carry on board - the POH, MEL and interception procedures as a minimum. Find out how your examiner likes their tea/coffee!