CPL Flight Test - Tips
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Melburn
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wondering, does anyone have specific advice/tips on the flight planning stage (efficient ways to get it done, accurately and comfortably within the hour)?
Currently employing the old Track is HDG, TAS is GS etc, just curious if there were some further tips which would be handy.
Thanks in advance,
rodrigues
Currently employing the old Track is HDG, TAS is GS etc, just curious if there were some further tips which would be handy.
Thanks in advance,
rodrigues
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Somewhere that looks a lot better when I close my eyes
Age: 37
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dunno how your flying school does things, but mine did everything with the fuel in Litres and Kilograms rather than Gallons and Pounds. In any case your POH is more than likely in the latter. That being so, take the time to go through the climb and cruise performance tables, convert everything and put it on an excel spreadsheet. Print it in A5 scale and it will fit neatly in a normal sized POH. Not a dodgy trick, I showed my CFI and he approved, and it will save you valuable minutes of working out in the planning stage (in case you haven't guessed, we weren't allowed to use block fuel flow for CPL planning 
). You will never do such a thing in the real world, but hey, if it gets you through the test that's all that counts, right?
). You will never do such a thing in the real world, but hey, if it gets you through the test that's all that counts, right?
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Australandnewzealandland
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For the flight planning part, all I can suggest is to do lots of practise and, when it comes to the day, think it all through as you are going through it. Logic check.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: ˙ǝqɐq ǝɯ ʇ,uıɐ ʇɐɥʇ 'sɔıʇɐqoɹǝɐ ɹoɟ uʍop ǝpısdn ǝɯɐu ɹıǝɥʇ ʇnd ǝɯos
Age: 45
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Get the performance stuff out of the way before hand. Get out your CAOs and calculate your Declared Density for the majority of strips you can expect to be landing at (using the correct season) so that you can then come up with a Land Dist Req at MLW (one last step to complete on the day).
Use Google Earth (but expect for the ATO to help you lost your printout).
Provide the ATO with a token pax comfort item like a cold can of Coke or ear plugs (wouldn't that be great?).
Ask for the "passengers" local knowledge when trying to find Frank's Fishing spot or whatever tiny detail you're meant to find.
And last but certainly not least - Have a CV ready to hand the ATO after the flight.
~FRQ CB
Use Google Earth (but expect for the ATO to help you lost your printout).
Provide the ATO with a token pax comfort item like a cold can of Coke or ear plugs (wouldn't that be great?).
Ask for the "passengers" local knowledge when trying to find Frank's Fishing spot or whatever tiny detail you're meant to find.
And last but certainly not least - Have a CV ready to hand the ATO after the flight.
~FRQ CB
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: ˙ǝqɐq ǝɯ ʇ,uıɐ ʇɐɥʇ 'sɔıʇɐqoɹǝɐ ɹoɟ uʍop ǝpısdn ǝɯɐu ɹıǝɥʇ ʇnd ǝɯos
Age: 45
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why the CV? I'm glad you asked.
Because you're a professional pilot now and you need to be a cocky ****... or maybe just to get them to pass it on to one of their friends (your potential employer) and to ask if they would mind being listed as a referee (they've just given you the tick to a be a Commercial Pilot so in theory they should have at least something positive to say about you) even if you only met that morning.
FRQ CB
Because you're a professional pilot now and you need to be a cocky ****... or maybe just to get them to pass it on to one of their friends (your potential employer) and to ask if they would mind being listed as a referee (they've just given you the tick to a be a Commercial Pilot so in theory they should have at least something positive to say about you) even if you only met that morning.
FRQ CB
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Remote
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another aspect of the CPL flight test is to watch out for the "classic catches" (not the cricket type) and always rememer the whole point of the test, to assess if you will be a safe & competent Commercial pilot. The types of classic catches can vary! I was asked by my Testing officer to keep the engine running while he hopped out to go to the toilet, I replied politely that for safety reasons I would shut the aircraft down. Others have been caught out by the classic "oh my friends farm house is down there, can we get lower to take some photos or buzz his house & see if he's home?" (ie. lower than the current 500').
These may seem like blatent tricks but you would be surprised how many people have been caught out! Just remember to make the right command decisions and treat your ATO as a passenger with no aviation knowledge.
Above all, relax, have fun & good luck! It's a great feeling when it's all over and the ATO shakes your hand with a smile on their face!
These may seem like blatent tricks but you would be surprised how many people have been caught out! Just remember to make the right command decisions and treat your ATO as a passenger with no aviation knowledge.
Above all, relax, have fun & good luck! It's a great feeling when it's all over and the ATO shakes your hand with a smile on their face!
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Naki NZ
Age: 41
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
New Zealand Flight test
They are all good answers for a Australian flight tests, but I was wondering if there was anyone that had any comments to help me pass my CPL flight test on Friday!
I'm assuming from the posts above that in Australia you don't have a seperate cross country flight test from the "real" flight test.
I'm getting more nervous every day.
I'm assuming from the posts above that in Australia you don't have a seperate cross country flight test from the "real" flight test.
I'm getting more nervous every day.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Permanently lost
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Two absolute no-nos' for the flight test:
Listen carefully to the debrief, pass or fail, as usually the ATO has a wealth of experience and only too happy to pass it on.
Good luck with the flight test.
remain VMC at all times; and
don't breach controlled airspace.
On my commercial flight test the diversion, if flown direct, would have just touched the corner of some controlled airspace. However, the best laid plans of the ATO came unstuck because when I advised Brisbane of the amended flightplan they queried whether I needed a clearance through the airspace.Listen carefully to the debrief, pass or fail, as usually the ATO has a wealth of experience and only too happy to pass it on.
Good luck with the flight test.
fuel log, fuel log, fuel log. when the instructor diverts you, don't just blindly assume that you are within range to complete the remainder of the flight test (you may know your stomping ground well enough that you can indeed do it) make sure you do a fuel calculation, if you can't make it, tell the instructor. A mate of mine was diverted to a destination that would have had them breach their reserves, and guess what, he set course and began to fly there, even told the ATO what time they'd be there.
VMC, remember your clearences from cloud. I know alot of guys push the limits on this, but remember you 1000 and 1500 clearence from cloud. alot of guys have failed because of this.
over confidence, you are able to pass the test, or else your CFI wouldn't have put you up for it, but remember to follow everything you do in training. I missed a few of the basics because I was over confident and bummed my first go at the CPL test flight.
Treat the ATO as a passenger, don't assume that because he/she is a pilot that they will treat props with respect, not fiddle with things in the cockpit etc. Another mate of mine failed because he allowed the ATO to walk up and touch the prop. Give them the safety breif just like you were on a charter. In fact, treat the test flight like a charter and you'll be fine.
Above all, remember the ATO's are not looking for you to be perfect, if you realise you have stuffed something up, tell them, explain what you would/will do to rectify it and move on. 9/10 the ATO will give you another go. The ATO know's you will be nervous. They want to see that you are safe and efficient.
The real learning comes with your first job.
VMC, remember your clearences from cloud. I know alot of guys push the limits on this, but remember you 1000 and 1500 clearence from cloud. alot of guys have failed because of this.
over confidence, you are able to pass the test, or else your CFI wouldn't have put you up for it, but remember to follow everything you do in training. I missed a few of the basics because I was over confident and bummed my first go at the CPL test flight.
Treat the ATO as a passenger, don't assume that because he/she is a pilot that they will treat props with respect, not fiddle with things in the cockpit etc. Another mate of mine failed because he allowed the ATO to walk up and touch the prop. Give them the safety breif just like you were on a charter. In fact, treat the test flight like a charter and you'll be fine.
Above all, remember the ATO's are not looking for you to be perfect, if you realise you have stuffed something up, tell them, explain what you would/will do to rectify it and move on. 9/10 the ATO will give you another go. The ATO know's you will be nervous. They want to see that you are safe and efficient.
The real learning comes with your first job.
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Land of the long white cloud
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
cpl test
More than likely the ATO will get you to fly to some tiny little homestead or a crossroads in the middle of nowhere. TIP: unless he states otherwise there is no need for you to plan direct, especially if a few miles away there is a town or a more recognizable feature to track to
What's your off track error going to be flying 150 miles as opposed to 20 miles.
Back a few years when I was an instructor most ATO's had a pet hate about a flying a single engine over high terrain, if there's lower terrain around ie: a valley fly it.
Good luck
What's your off track error going to be flying 150 miles as opposed to 20 miles.
Back a few years when I was an instructor most ATO's had a pet hate about a flying a single engine over high terrain, if there's lower terrain around ie: a valley fly it.
Good luck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Melburn
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is really useful, and re-assuring.
Such a welcome dose of positive posts and encouragement on here, thanks so much guys.
Will let you know how I go, not long now.
rodrigues
Such a welcome dose of positive posts and encouragement on here, thanks so much guys.
Will let you know how I go, not long now.
rodrigues
