PPL (A) Skills Test
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PPL (A) Skills Test
Hi Guys,
I posted something similar to this in the Private Flying section of PPRUNE. Please correct me if this post is in the wrong section.
I just wanted to ask the Flying Instructors and Examiners here if you can offer any advice on the Skills Test. I should be doing it within the next two weeks.
What are the reasons that most people fail or get a partial pass? How can I ensure that I impress the examiner and secure a Pass? I realise all Skills Tests are different due to weather etc.
I hear that it's important that Practiced Forced Landings are carried out correctly the first time and that you get the aircraft in a position where you would be able to make a landing in the chosen field on the first attempt. What happens if you mess up a bit? Do you get a second attempt or would a failure in that section result?
Also, what questions are likely to be asked by the examiner regarding the aircrafts systems etc.
Any advice on how to cope with the big day will be greatly appreciated,
Regards
Lawrence
I posted something similar to this in the Private Flying section of PPRUNE. Please correct me if this post is in the wrong section.
I just wanted to ask the Flying Instructors and Examiners here if you can offer any advice on the Skills Test. I should be doing it within the next two weeks.
What are the reasons that most people fail or get a partial pass? How can I ensure that I impress the examiner and secure a Pass? I realise all Skills Tests are different due to weather etc.
I hear that it's important that Practiced Forced Landings are carried out correctly the first time and that you get the aircraft in a position where you would be able to make a landing in the chosen field on the first attempt. What happens if you mess up a bit? Do you get a second attempt or would a failure in that section result?
Also, what questions are likely to be asked by the examiner regarding the aircrafts systems etc.
Any advice on how to cope with the big day will be greatly appreciated,
Regards
Lawrence
Last edited by LawrenceMck; 19th Mar 2008 at 22:38.
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Well you'd be advised to download the PPL syllabus and familiarise yourself with the air exercises you've covered - as a good starting point. Then, you could get a copy of the examiners check sheet for the test itself and make sure you know what to expect altho the exmainer will fully brief you prior to the test on the day. My biggest peice of advice is not to forget the carb ice checks so FREDA checks every 5-10 minutes or, whenever you have a quiet moment - the examiner will not penalise you for it!
Good luck,
VFE.
Good luck,
VFE.
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Hi,
Thanks for your quick replies. I have already read the CAA Standards Document 19 and know it fairly well
.
Regarding the PFL's, is it critical that it's completed successfully on the first attempt?
Lawrence
Thanks for your quick replies. I have already read the CAA Standards Document 19 and know it fairly well
.Regarding the PFL's, is it critical that it's completed successfully on the first attempt?
Lawrence
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You won't fail if you mess the first attempt up - unless you do something crazy, most examiners will give you another attempt. But you will be required to complete it safely and succesfully.
The PFL is one of the things that many students stuggle with - and unfortunately there is just no substitute for lots of practice, in different wind conditions (i.e. strong winds, calm winds), and from different starting altitudes. It's the best way to build your confidence up.
If you have any doubts about the PFL, your course instructor will be more than happy to spend time with you to practice some more.....
The PFL is one of the things that many students stuggle with - and unfortunately there is just no substitute for lots of practice, in different wind conditions (i.e. strong winds, calm winds), and from different starting altitudes. It's the best way to build your confidence up.
If you have any doubts about the PFL, your course instructor will be more than happy to spend time with you to practice some more.....
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Regarding the PFL's, is it critical that it's completed successfully on the first attempt?
Appendix 1 to JAR-FCL 1.30 & 1.135 Skill Test for the PPL
Conduct of the Test Para 12 states:
Conduct of the Test Para 12 states:
Any manoeuvre or procedure of the test may be repeated once by the applicant. The FE may stop the test at any stage if it is considered that the applicant's demonstration of flying skills requires a complete re-test
davidd - that sort of thing is typical huggy-fluffy nanny-state cosmetic frippery.
Whilst it's important to confirm that passengers are correctly briefed, there's no point in doing that if you can't fly a decent PFL.
The Examiner should be far more interested in your skill than in anything else - that's why it's called a 'Skill Test'!
Whilst it's important to confirm that passengers are correctly briefed, there's no point in doing that if you can't fly a decent PFL.
The Examiner should be far more interested in your skill than in anything else - that's why it's called a 'Skill Test'!
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make sure you do the emergency brief.
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Glush is spot on. There is no substitute for experience, practicing in all wind conditions gives you a feel of the glide distance over the ground. A good pilot feels part of the aeroplane, the more you practice the more natural it feels. Examiners understand that students will be nervous and realise that they may slightly misjudge the landing. A little tip best best to have a slightly high approach than a low one, height can be shaved off by steep gliding turns up to 45 angle of bank, however don't forget to add about 10 knots to your gliding speed. Another tip don't be put off if you make some minor mistakes in the skills test, if you do, let the examiner know where the errors were made, he/she will at least appeciate that you are making the necessary corrections. Good luck and let us know how you got on.
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Hi Guys,
Thanks for all you replies!
hotcloud, you sound just like my instructor, he gave me the same advice earlier. "It's better to be too high than too low" Also he mentioned the 45 degree angle of bank plus the 10kt speed increase.
I've got my test booked for Tuesday 25th March (I've got a whole week to wait!) Until then I'll bury my head in the POH/FM and do some final brushing up.
Cheers Guys,
Lawrence
Thanks for all you replies!
hotcloud, you sound just like my instructor, he gave me the same advice earlier. "It's better to be too high than too low" Also he mentioned the 45 degree angle of bank plus the 10kt speed increase.
I've got my test booked for Tuesday 25th March (I've got a whole week to wait!) Until then I'll bury my head in the POH/FM and do some final brushing up.
Cheers Guys,
Lawrence
Hi, just to clarify conflicting info, the Examiners Handbook specifically states that only item c (precautionary landing) may be repeated in sect 5 (emergencies) IRRenewal's post was spot on.
Good Luck with your test
Good Luck with your test
Paragraphs 3.3.1 and 3.3.4 do seem to be somewhat contradictory:
3.3.1 At the discretion of the examiner a manoeuvre or procedure of the test or check may be repeated once by the applicant.
3.3.4 Initial skill tests for the PPL, CPL and IR are subject to a restricted list of permissible repeat manoeuvres and only the following items may be repeated at the discretion of the Examiner: (Includes Section 5, Item c).
Perhaps it would have been better to specify in 3.3.1 that restrictions of 3.3.4 apply?
The weakest points of most Skill Tests I've seen are:
1. PFLs. Often rushed and flown with little attempt to fly a sensible pattern. Glide speed excessively high, flap often taken far too early. Applicants who have been taught the 'RAF' method often perform better than those who haven't.
2. Circuits. By the time the applicant arrives back in the circuit, he/she is often quite weary, so the circuits are often rather ragged. Landings are usually safe, if sometimes less than refined!
3. Practice Diversion. Sometimes I conclude the practice diversion with a join, circuit and go-around at another aerodrome. Applicants can usually find the aerodrome successfully, but their subsequent join and circuit are often rather weak.
Some examiners report weakness in navigation. However, I've found that applicants who have been taught Standard Closing Angle correctly have no real problem. Similarly, those who have been taught a diligent technique for practice diversions have little problem compared with those who are too keen to rush into the diversion.
Good luck!
3.3.1 At the discretion of the examiner a manoeuvre or procedure of the test or check may be repeated once by the applicant.
3.3.4 Initial skill tests for the PPL, CPL and IR are subject to a restricted list of permissible repeat manoeuvres and only the following items may be repeated at the discretion of the Examiner: (Includes Section 5, Item c).
Perhaps it would have been better to specify in 3.3.1 that restrictions of 3.3.4 apply?
The weakest points of most Skill Tests I've seen are:
1. PFLs. Often rushed and flown with little attempt to fly a sensible pattern. Glide speed excessively high, flap often taken far too early. Applicants who have been taught the 'RAF' method often perform better than those who haven't.
2. Circuits. By the time the applicant arrives back in the circuit, he/she is often quite weary, so the circuits are often rather ragged. Landings are usually safe, if sometimes less than refined!
3. Practice Diversion. Sometimes I conclude the practice diversion with a join, circuit and go-around at another aerodrome. Applicants can usually find the aerodrome successfully, but their subsequent join and circuit are often rather weak.
Some examiners report weakness in navigation. However, I've found that applicants who have been taught Standard Closing Angle correctly have no real problem. Similarly, those who have been taught a diligent technique for practice diversions have little problem compared with those who are too keen to rush into the diversion.
Good luck!
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BEagle.
Interesting to see your comment regarding the RAF pfl method. I've always thought it superior but have refrained from teaching it as it constitutes heresy in terms of the syllabus. Perhaps a useful topic for a future seminar?
Interesting to see your comment regarding the RAF pfl method. I've always thought it superior but have refrained from teaching it as it constitutes heresy in terms of the syllabus. Perhaps a useful topic for a future seminar?
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Skills Test - PFL
With regards to the PFL... firstly, you should know that some instructors like to pick the field for you, others however, don't and the choice will be yours, keep a good look out for a suitable one, make sure you are aware of the wind conditions. (When I did my skills test it was 25kt Gusting 35kt 
)
Also, remember it is a PFL not a real emergency, don't forget carb heat & warming the engine gently every 500ft you descend, this can earn you a few browny points.
Finally, although it is a PFL not a real emergency, do not let that comfort you, it is very important. Remember you are (imitating) FLYING FOR YOUR LIFE.
DO WHATEVER IT TAKES to get the aeroplane in that field safely, steep turns, full flap, sideslip... WHATEVER IT TAKES! Quick sensible thinking and positive control.
Good Luck!
)Also, remember it is a PFL not a real emergency, don't forget carb heat & warming the engine gently every 500ft you descend, this can earn you a few browny points.
Finally, although it is a PFL not a real emergency, do not let that comfort you, it is very important. Remember you are (imitating) FLYING FOR YOUR LIFE.
DO WHATEVER IT TAKES to get the aeroplane in that field safely, steep turns, full flap, sideslip... WHATEVER IT TAKES! Quick sensible thinking and positive control.
Good Luck!
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some instructors like to pick the field for you, others however, don't and the choice will be yours,
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foxmoth:
I know one or two... when I did my skills test it was picked for me... tbh I found it harder. I was positioned downwind from the field, the examiner pulled back the throttle and said, "Your engine has failed, thats your field there (and pointed) land in it!" Then he just sat back and watched me try and sort it out. As I said before it was pretty windy, 25ktG35kt... which made things good fun when I had descended below 1000ft.
Think it would make an interesting topic, I myself feel either way would be fine, I think you'd get a pretty good idea of the student's skill level by picking the field for them, ie their ability to judge the wind and ability to position the aeroplane adequately to make a successful PFL.
Most instructors will pick a field for the demo and probably help pick the first one or two fields, after that it should really be down to the student - I know of very few examiners that will pick the field for a candidate!
Think it would make an interesting topic, I myself feel either way would be fine, I think you'd get a pretty good idea of the student's skill level by picking the field for them, ie their ability to judge the wind and ability to position the aeroplane adequately to make a successful PFL.