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ATPL exams failure

Old 18th Apr 2019, 16:42
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ATPL exams failure

Hi everybody,

I would like to share my story, it may helping some of you, also, it's helping me to release negative feelings.

I did pass 13 exams in 5 sittings (84.5% average), where I have failed Operational procedures at the 5th sitting at 71%. I let a gap of 6 weeks between my 5th and last sitting to work on this particular subject where I have reached an average mark of 94% on 795 questions from my school's QB.

So I used my 6th sitting to attempt it again, and unfortunately, I have failed again with a lower mark than the first attempt 68%, incredible.

You all know what it means... I have tried everything to make an appeal about questions (5 exactly) which the wording was for me uncertain and confusing (as same for my school's instructor), and for what I have no reason to doubt during my revisions (these 5 questions were about ditching and icing).

They have rejected my appeal, and I am desperately trying to get an oral hearing as it's allowed by the CAA's regulation. I have also reported my misunderstanding to the EASA level, if I can get something from them, who knows?..

I would like to know of some of you guys passed through the same experience and what were you deciding then, for me, I am ready to drop it at 90% if I don't have a positive outcome from the appeal, even if I already have my CPL IR/ME from a non EASA country (where I definitely cannot work). It so much **** since, I am dejected and angry, because I don't see what should I do more (and I am not just an QB hitter, for some guys who may potentially think that they are smarter than anyone else).

Have a good day everybody,
Cheers,

Matt
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Old 18th Apr 2019, 20:16
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You need to pass the 14 exams within 6 sittings. That's quite clear. You haven't done so so I'm not sure complaining will do very much. You now either start again or choose something else to do. Getting an average mark of 94% on the BGS QB means absolutely nothing as far as the exams go.

Sorry if that sounds sharp and it's unfortunate that you didn't succeed but the standard is there for a reason.

CA
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Old 18th Apr 2019, 21:51
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Sorry to hear your situation mate.
But imho, you cannot do nothing more stupid than dropping.
Time management is everything.
Take a break, think about it and start over. Try to complete the exams in 3 or 4 sittings.
Good luck!!
​​​
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Old 19th Apr 2019, 03:18
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Just a thought but you could consider resitting in Poland - that at least gives some flexibility about getting the subjects that you are ok at all done in a hurry ?

ATPL Exams under Polish CAA
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Old 19th Apr 2019, 08:11
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Originally Posted by GoutGnafier
Hi everybody,

I would like to share my story, it may helping some of you, also, it's helping me to release negative feelings.

I did pass 13 exams in 5 sittings (84.5% average), where I have failed Operational procedures at the 5th sitting at 71%. I let a gap of 6 weeks between my 5th and last sitting to work on this particular subject where I have reached an average mark of 94% on 795 questions from my school's QB.

So I used my 6th sitting to attempt it again, and unfortunately, I have failed again with a lower mark than the first attempt 68%, incredible.

You all know what it means... I have tried everything to make an appeal about questions (5 exactly) which the wording was for me uncertain and confusing (as same for my school's instructor), and for what I have no reason to doubt during my revisions (these 5 questions were about ditching and icing).

They have rejected my appeal, and I am desperately trying to get an oral hearing as it's allowed by the CAA's regulation. I have also reported my misunderstanding to the EASA level, if I can get something from them, who knows?..

I would like to know of some of you guys passed through the same experience and what were you deciding then, for me, I am ready to drop it at 90% if I don't have a positive outcome from the appeal, even if I already have my CPL IR/ME from a non EASA country (where I definitely cannot work). It so much **** since, I am dejected and angry, because I don't see what should I do more (and I am not just an QB hitter, for some guys who may potentially think that they are smarter than anyone else).

Have a good day everybody,
Cheers,

Matt
Can you please explain exactly how many sittings you originally planned to do the 14 exams. How many exams have you had to resit and how many times
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Old 19th Apr 2019, 09:54
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I’ve heard rumours that you’re able to move to AustroControl and take your passes with you, but I’m not sure how accurate that is.

Might be worth looking into...
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Old 19th Apr 2019, 11:59
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Originally Posted by Contact Approach
You need to pass the 14 exams within 6 sittings. That's quite clear. You haven't done so so I'm not sure complaining will do very much. You now either start again or choose something else to do. Getting an average mark of 94% on the BGS QB means absolutely nothing as far as the exams go.

Sorry if that sounds sharp and it's unfortunate that you didn't succeed but the standard is there for a reason.

CA
Don’t be confused about what I am trying to explain. I am not complaining, I appealed my exams outcome because, the questions that seems to be confusing (and not only me, school’s instructors as well) I was not able to find a correct regulation, law, etc.. from UK CAA or EASA sources which may explain why I was wrong (I can share those questions if you wish so).

Also, as I am guessing that you have your exams done, I would like to know what did you refer to attempt to an exam? As I said in my initial post, I wasn’t a QB hitter, but it represents at least if you are ready or not. And with 94%, I don’t understand what can I do more to be ready for an exam.

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Old 19th Apr 2019, 12:00
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Originally Posted by Jolax
Sorry to hear your situation mate.
But imho, you cannot do nothing more stupid than dropping.
Time management is everything.
Take a break, think about it and start over. Try to complete the exams in 3 or 4 sittings.
Good luck!!
​​​
Thank you for your support, I appreciate it, i don’t know if you passed through the same thing, but in any case, thanks.

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Old 19th Apr 2019, 12:01
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Originally Posted by custardpsc
Just a thought but you could consider resitting in Poland - that at least gives some flexibility about getting the subjects that you are ok at all done in a hurry
Thanks for your idea, i will consider it and will contact Polish CAA to check it.

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Old 19th Apr 2019, 12:01
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Originally Posted by Black Pudding


Can you please explain exactly how many sittings you originally planned to do the 14 exams. How many exams have you had to resit and how many times
To be honest, I wasn’t aware about the 6 sittings rules until my 3rd attempt.

To explain quickly:

1st sitting:

Failure on HPL, Met, Instrumentation (totally on me, I wasn’t ready as good as I expected)

Passed Gen Nav




2nd sitting:

Passed HPL, Met, Instrumentation




3 rd sitting:

Passed Aircraft General Knowledge and Air Law

Failure on Radio nav (the new regulation about PBN screwed me)




4th sitting:

Passed Radio Nav, IFR/VFR com, Mass and balance,




5th sitting:

Passed POF, Flight Planning, Performance,

Failure on Ops




6th sitting:

Failure on Ops.

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Old 19th Apr 2019, 13:31
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AustroControl

Originally Posted by brocken_spectre
I’ve heard rumours that you’re able to move to AustroControl and take your passes with you, but I’m not sure how accurate that is.

Might be worth looking into...
you cannot take passes from one authority to another

wr are a flight school from Spain and just switched from Spanish AESA to AustroControl

i would recommend not to give up and retake all subjects!

regards
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Old 20th Apr 2019, 00:18
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Matt,

Not a good outcome, inevitable you need to resit the exams , all over.

The comprehension of the questions , is part of the learning outcome, not just choosing the right answer.

Good luck with your appeals, but put your energy in to re-sitting the exams very soon.
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Old 20th Apr 2019, 16:31
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I am going to explain the confusing questions:

1. What is the correct configuration in case of ditching?
Gear: up or down Flaps: up or down
Only one reference found on skylibrary .com, none on any lessons from my school or UK CAA or EASA sources

2. What is the best course of action in case of emergency and no other options than ditching?
- Maintain the aircraft control
- Keep radio contact to let know your position and needs
- Ensure passenger’s safety
- Last one irrelevant so I didn’t even consider it

3. Who is responsible in case in problems in De-icing procedures on ground in out base?
- Airport authority
- De icing operator
- Operator
- Airport national authority

It’s 3 of the 5 about I am appealing.

Cheers

Matt
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Old 22nd Apr 2019, 07:15
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Sorry to hear that, If it was me, I would retake all 14, perhaps trying to take 7 exams or so in a sitting.

About the questions, the first 2 I'm sorry but I think they are basic PPL stuff... (at least if you had a good PPL instructor!)

1- Gear up, flaps down. You want to take as slow as possible to take minimum damage, and the gear down could cause unwanted effects.
2- CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT!!!!!

Good luck!
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Old 22nd Apr 2019, 07:44
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Originally Posted by superflanker
Sorry to hear that, If it was me, I would retake all 14, perhaps trying to take 7 exams or so in a sitting.

About the questions, the first 2 I'm sorry but I think they are basic PPL stuff... (at least if you had a good PPL instructor!)

1- Gear up, flaps down. You want to take as slow as possible to take minimum damage, and the gear down could cause unwanted effects.
2- CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT!!!!!

Good luck!
Thanks for your message, I get your point.

I have learnt emergency landing somewhere else than Europe, and in case of, it’s better to don’t use the flaps, we should not use them or at the very last to increase the gliding time to have enough time to take the best decision.
I am not saying is wrong, just it can be confusing.

And for the second question you mentioned, I was confuse with “no other options than ditching”, it can be taught that all other options have been processed and no one was good, so now you are sure to crash on water, for me, I let know as much people as I can do my position because if you survive a crash, your surviving time depends on the time spent in the water.

Thanks
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Old 22nd Apr 2019, 13:57
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Originally Posted by GoutGnafier

I have learnt emergency landing somewhere else than Europe, and in case of, it’s better to don’t use the flaps, we should not use them or at the very last to increase the gliding time to have enough time to take the best decision.
I mean full flaps when you are sure you are going to reach the field where you decided to dich. If you are trying to reach a distant field/runway of course you should keep the aircraft clean in order to increase your gliding distance.

From skybary.aero:

Configuration - Gear. Gear up is the optimum configuration for ditching.
Configuration - Flap. Most manufacturers recommend the maximum deployment of available slats/flaps is desirable to minimise approach speed. However, judgement is required in this respect since an intermediate flap setting is likely to improve forward visibility and reduce the amount of rotation required to flare in return for some increase in airspeed. Without some or all engines functioning, there may be limited hydraulic power.

Cheers!
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Old 22nd Apr 2019, 14:17
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Originally Posted by GoutGnafier


To be honest, I wasn’t aware about the 6 sittings rules until my 3rd attempt.


That does explain enough...how the hell you did not know this ??
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Old 22nd Apr 2019, 14:59
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Originally Posted by superflanker
I mean full flaps when you are sure you are going to reach the field where you decided to dich. If you are trying to reach a distant field/runway of course you should keep the aircraft clean in order to increase your gliding distance.


Configuration - Gear. Gear up is the optimum configuration for ditching.
Configuration - Flap. Most manufacturers recommend the maximum deployment of available slats/flaps is desirable to minimise approach speed. However, judgement is required in this respect since an intermediate flap setting is likely to improve forward visibility and reduce the amount of rotation required to flare in return for some increase in airspeed. Without some or all engines functioning, there may be limited hydraulic power.

Cheers!
This is exactly the source I found after my exam. Unfortunately, I didn’t have this in my course or any question referring to it in my QB. I am not saying at all that you are wrong, just the question may be confusing. As ATPL Instructors told me, the flap setting may be at the captain’s discretion. Also, as it figured in Ops, I was looking for regulation or something like that, and it’s only on manufacturer recommendations. I know I am picky and sorry for that, but at this point, it’s only small details.
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Old 22nd Apr 2019, 15:04
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Originally Posted by TheEdge
That does explain enough...how the hell you did not know this ??
Yes I agree, actually, I am already a commercial pilot with ME/IR from a non EASA country where the rules are slightly different. So I guess my school didn’t talk to me about because I was already a graduated pilot and think I was aware of. It was not a case without following up Students, it gives this poor outcome...
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Old 22nd Apr 2019, 16:39
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It’s a very brave decision to not be a qb hitter. I am a humble qb hitter and hit hard ops in two days and took 97 from it, in Poland. Just get up, sign a new contract a cheaper polish ato (there are offers starting from 950€), spend five more months on distance education and have all your marks in three months/sitting.
Or spend half of this time complaining around.
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