General guidance for Knowledge Assessment of CASA Flight Tests
When sitting any category of oral examination for a flight test the Flight Examiner may ask you any questions up to and including the category of license for which you are presenting.
Generally Flight Examiners will restrict their questioning to the knowledge requirements of the MOS Schedule 5 listed on the relevant flight test form.
The best way to prepare for the oral component of a flight test used is to study the flight test form and the subject matter carefully and thoroughly well in advance of the scheduled flight test date.
This will enable you to sit the test with the level of confidence you require and the of level of knowledge you require to satisfy the Flight Examiner.
If you answer questions correctly and without hesitation to the satisfaction of the Flight Examiner, the questioning will be brief. If however, you are unsure of the answers and make mistakes the Flight Examiner will go further with the questioning.
Flight examiners will also examine your KDR's (Knowledge Deficiency Reports) and may ask questions about the deficient items even though a previous flight instructor has checked you on these items. Make sure that you understand where you went wrong in the written exams and study the areas carefully because questions may be asked about these topics.
When answering questions, take a moment to think about what the Flight Examiner is actually asking you. Often candidates do not listen to the question and start talking about something else. The questions the flight examiner asks will be clear, simple and unambiguous. A simple question requires a simple answer - just answer the question and do not offer any more information. If the Flight Examiner requires further information they will ask for it. If you do not understand the question seek clarification before answering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Things we get asked a lot
It is a perfectly normal human reaction. If you are well prepared and well trained you will have nothing to worry about.
Listen carefully to the Flight Examiners question. Let them finish before you jump in with an answer. The question will be clear and simple, and they are expecting a simple answer. Answer only the question that was asked then STOP TALKING! If they want more information, they will ask for it.
Generally, not, they will usually ask the question in another way or move on and come back to it later. Sometimes people have a mental blank on the spot but after a few minutes the answer comes to them.
Flight Examiners have to be completely impartial and make their judgements on your performance on the day and that day only. Flight Examiners are not out to deliberately influence the test result. If you meet the standards set out in the Flight Examiner’s Handbook, you will pass the test.
Minor errors can be ok. If you have a good understanding and can explain the answer in a different way to the satisfaction of the Examiner then you will probably be fine. If for instance, you have no clue about something as important as Flight & Duty times, then expect a bad outcome.
Yes, to a minor extent, if you start looking up the answer to every question the Examiner will suspect that you haven’t done enough preparation.
Bad idea! They have heard all the tricks and excuses a thousand times. If you really don’t know just admit it and promise you’ll go back and study what you didn’t know. If it’s minor, they might let you get away with it.
Give them a simple answer! They are not out to trick you into making a mistake, they simply want to satisfy themselves that you know what you are talking about.
Generally not, but they certainly have the right to do so. They will have a look through them. If you have done a good job of researching the ones you got wrong and have the notes to prove that you have done the work, that is generally enough.
Sometimes, but be prepared for anything.
Probably not, the questioning will be more scenario based and be more like a conversation with the examiner mentally ticking off the subject areas in his head. If you have prepared well you have nothing to be concerned about.
If you fire back the correct answers to the questions as little as 15 minutes. If you are struggling, then longer. There is no set time. Most Examiners allow an hour for the document review and questions.
Turn it off before you go in, then you won’t have to worry!
Just excuse yourself and be quick. Make sure you go just before the test begins.
Please get in contact if you still have questions
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