Radio requirement for NPPL

[flying snapper]

Ok here's a question.

I have sat and passed all six of the written exams for my NPPL. The next stage apart from the flight tests and QXC is my radio licence. I had loads of information about the other 6, and the PPL confuser showed me exactly what to expect (literally exactly!).

My problem is I have no idea about the FRTOL tests. Does anyone know of a good source of information on the tests? apart from CAP 416 and Thom?. There are scare stories around the club of the test costing over £50, taking hoursto do, and people failing it!

I believe that a new "communications" exam has been introduced for the NPPL but don't have any details.

Any ideas anyone?:eek:

[Evo7]

Are the NPPL exams the same as the JAR-FCL PPL(A) ones?

If so, then the written exam is quite easy - 30 questions, and just read CAP413 cover to cover. The practical just involves acting out a flight - departure, arrival, MATZ penetration, requesting a LARS, getting clearance through controlled airspace and making and relaying emergency calls. Once you've done some Nav trips it is all very simple. Nothing to worry about, but you will fail it if you cannot make a correct PAN call or reply to 'Pass your Message'. And it does cost a lot... :(

[FlyingForFun]

snapper,

Try to find someone who did their PPL a while ago, and has a copy of the old version of the Confuser. This contained a written radio test which is very similar to the one you'll do. I have no idea why it's been removed from the latest version of the Confuser.

The r/t test really is nothing to worry about though. Don't bother with Thom. This is one of the few Thom books that I would recomend you save your money by not buying - it's different to CAP413 in places, and it's the phraseology in the CAP which the exams are looking for.

If you're getting close to gaining your license, you should be confident enough to know how to use the radio by now. The reading that you'll need to do will mostly be to refresh your memory and collect everything together, rather than to actually learn anything new. The only obvious exception is position reports - no one will ever expect you to give a position report "correctly" except for these tests, so you'll need to learn the correct way of doing it.

If you're still unsure about anything, ask your instructor - he's there to help!

Good luck!

FFF
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[BEagle]

The NPPL SEP exams are the same as the JAR-FCL PPL exams. Several other options were looked at, but this was clearly the most pragmatic.

RT practical exam is an utter doddle. Just READ THE CAP 413!!

[28thJuly2001]

Have a look at the Safety Sense Leaflet on radiotelephony which can be found at http://www.caa.co.uk/srg/general_aviation/document.asp?groupid=231
Will give you a run through of what is expected of you on the RT oral.
You will fail if you mess up the Mayday, Pan Pan or relayed emergency messages but as long as you sound confident and have a practice session you will pass. Expect an airplane to break down on the runway meaning you will have to divert.
Walt,,

[andrewc]

It sounds hard but it really isn't as bad in practise if
you've done any radio work and take a good look at
your CAP413 booklet.

You are given a radio set with a variety of preset
frequencies and a map with a planned route.

The examiner will run through a practise session with you
first of all, ironing out any issues with terminology
that you have. Take this practise!

Then you get to do a live flight with a variety of potentially
exciting things going on...expect Mayday's, rerouted MayDays,
Pan's...diversions etc but just play it by the book.

Keep cool, listen carefully and don't sweat it too much, in my
experience it is a very fair exam,

-- Andrew

[flying snapper]

Thanks very much to all who replied - lots of reassuring advice!

Eh, by the way, does anyone have a copy of the old confuser with the radio questions in?;)

[Who has control?]

Yes, but I'd have to check. How old is 'old'? My copy is 1998ish.

[Thirty06]

Flying snapper says

>My problem is I have no idea about the FRTOL tests. Does >anyone know of a good source of information on the tests? >apart from CAP 416 and Thom?.

I was a bit worried about not having a test in the confuser to prepare with, but I passed the written okay.

>There are scare stories around
>the club of the test costing over £50, taking hoursto do, and >people failing it!

I just paid thirty quid for the test, the examiner did require one hour of ground school beforehand (GBP 17.60) because he reckoned that some people turned up ill prepared and couldn't cope.

I did the ground school a couple of days in advance and was given a practice route to work through.

The other examiner I could have chosen appears to charge more, but I think that his briefing is effectively a ground school session.

The allowed test time is the predicted time for the whole route, you fail if you take too long, but since it's a long route you can "fast forward" by reporting when you feel like it.

If you reckon you're okay on the radio then you're probably ready.