Someone has to provide "exam like questions" - for goodness sake, surely that's the point of doing a course and studying for an exam. I have never been offered any "special" practise questions or the like. I worked bloody hard juggling a young family and a very busy full time job, used my annual leave to attend what I thought was a very well run and delivered course, with some equally committed attendees, paid what is a bloody huge fee for an exam that appears flawed, and am wondering where to even start to attempt this exam again. I'm by no means the only one - I'm sure most others are in exactly the same boat. I'm not an idiot, I've achieved high 80s and some 90s for all the other subjects, all self studied. This exam is flawed and I'm pi$$ed off.

So what about the guys that did pass?
Did they know something the others didn't? Have a better understanding of the subject or how to go about the exam?
Or where they just plain lucky?

Capt Fathom

I suspect were you to perform a strict statistical probability study on variance to the examination process and the results, at least to the long question/s, you might well find that a pass or fail is a matter of luck, just like in a casino.

The prior study involved, like counting cards in the casino, in all probability :rolleyes: only marginally increases the probability of "success" in your favour. But you gotta do what you gotta do. :8

Something to answer for AFT??
 

Someone in the USA was able to obtain (under freedom of information) the one thousand odd questions and answers that are used for the FAA ATP exam. This information was then sold as part of a training package.

A typical method for this exam is to purely study the question/answer. Perhaps we need to get something along the same lines. Obviously learning how to flight plan does not help you pass.

Please don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating that sort of approach at all. I actually enjoyed studying flight planning, and I do believe it has worthwhile, tangible relevance to understanding real world flight planning. I certainly can say I have taken something away from the course I did at AFT. And, I can say that I strongly believe I now have a good grasp of the theory and the application. But, we're kidding ourselves if a fuel plan based on interpolated winds/sectors/temps/etc needs to be within 100kg on a jet that can carry nearly 30,000kg - that's not real world relevance.

I'm sure many of those that have gone before me (and passed) may scoff at this bloke who simply needs to harden up, do the study and get on with it, but the recent stats say that something is up...

Same IT experts as Airservices recent effort perhaps?;)

Something to answer for AFT??
 

JFW
I was just outlining the only approach left if this issue isn't rectified. Certainly would be a sad state of affairs. I haven't done the course but won't be starting till I am confident the result is not down to luck.

I'd say what CASA has done is used computerised flight planning software.

Then with the answers that have been spat out, they have put the wrong answers very close to the right answers.

Sounds to me like it's time to head the the US of A and get an FAA ATP then covert.

Leave your car running while you sit the exams :ok:

Secombe always taught use of the integrated range charts that start on 3-3 of the manual.

No-one else does this because they don't have these type of charts for 1eng INOP, low altitude cruise etc - so it is impractical (so the theory went) to teach the use of two different types of chart.

i'd be willing to bet that Secombe has rejigged answers with the integrated range charts.

Has anyone who recently failed used the integrated range charts?

AB,

That is some significant effort you have gone to - I for one am very appreciative! You've put in the hard yards for all of us.

PLEASE - everyone affected or sharing our concerns, support us and sign this online petition!

Many thanks,

Joe Lighty

I know the person under question..... I met him and did one of his courses and failed miserably.... so I changed text and passed no problem. I also heard him talking crap about afp many times, so to me it looks like a sort of personal issue here.
The man is also a freak in math, so I think he expect everyone to be like him ?

sign the petition guys, only 37 of us did it.

I'll also take this petition to the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) Union I'm a member of, they should have some weight in convincing CASA something needs to be done. I encourage other members of AFAP to do the same

I sat the exam on the 20th of November and as I hit the submit button I was feeling quite confident and when 40% showed up on the screen I was quite shocked. After reading this gives me a little relief that I didn't just waste two solid months studying most nights and on my RDOs.

Something needs to be done quickly, people are wasting a lot of their time and money re-studying and re-sitting this exam and some people are coming up to their 3 year limit

Obviously been huge effort put into the petition.

But I strongly suggest that that everyone affected puts in a formal complaint to CASA. Petitions don't hold great sway, formal complaints must at least be considered.

There's a complain form under Contacts on the web.

I am in the process of submitting a complaint via the online form on the CASA website. Based on the feedback from that I will sign the petition.

When will the petition be forwarded to the relevant parties?

My fault but I am in that boat.. Plan on doing the course early next year but will only leave me about 1.5 months before mine expire :ouch:
Don't have much confidence based on whats been said here!

Are people starting to pass or has anything changed???

I have heard there is now only 50kg between exam answers?