Part 61 Manual of Standards (GUIDE) Recreational Pilot Licence Aeroplane Category

Part 61 Manual of Standards (GUIDE) Recreational pilot licence – aeroplane category

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT
Civil Aviation Safety Authority / CASR Part 61
Manual of Standards
GUIDE
RPL(A)
Flight Crew Licensing Competency Standards
Document Identification
Classification / UNCLASSIFIED
Document Category / Manual of Standards
Document Revision Number / 1.0
Document Issue Date / 1/05/2014
Document Status / Final
System Identifier / FCL Standards
Document Identification / Part 61 MOS – Guide to RPL(A)

Document Control

This is a managed document.

Version control is managed by track changes and details below. A new version only contains changes made since the previous version was released.

For identification purposes, each page contains a version number and a page number. Changes will only be issued as a complete replacement document. Recipients should remove superseded versions from circulation.

This document is authorised for release once all signatures have been obtained.

Amendment summary
Version / Section / Description
0.2 / introduction / text amended and limited to the RPL(A)
1.0 / various / Remove clause 2 from practical standards.
Add flight test standard.

Location of document

TRIM EF11/11257-1

D14/122082

1/05/2014 Version 1.0 Page 2 of 59

Part 61 Manual of Standards (GUIDE) Recreational pilot licence – aeroplane category

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 4

SCHEDULE 1: RPL(A) 8

SCHEDULE 2: FLIGHT STANDARDS – RPL(A) 9

SECTION 1: ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY STANDARDS 9

GEL GENERAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY 9

SECTION 2: COMMON FLIGHT STANDARDS 11

CKC COMMON KEY COMPETENCIES 11

C2 : PPF PERFORM PRE AND POST-FLIGHT ACTIONS AND PROCEDURES 12

C4 : MF: MANAGE FUEL 14

C5 : PAC: MANAGE PASSENGERS AND CARGO 16

C6 : NTS1: NON-TECHNICAL SKILLS 1 17

C7 : NTS2: NON-TECHNICAL SKILLS 2 18

SECTION 3: AEROPLANE CATEGORY RATING STANDARDS 20

A1 CONTROL AEROPLANE ON THE GROUND 20

A2: TAKE OFF AEROPLANE 22

A3 CONTROL AEROPLANE IN NORMAL FLIGHT 24

A4 LAND AEROPLANE 28

A5 AEROPLANE ADVANCED MANOEUVRES 30

A6 MANAGE ABNORMAL SITUATIONS – SINGLE ENGINE AEROPLANES 32

A7 : IFF FULL INSTRUMENT PANEL MANOEUVRES 35

SCHEDULE 3: AERONAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE STANDARDS – RPL(A) 36

SECTION 1: BASIC AERONAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE (BAK) 37

SECTION 2: FLIGHT RULES AND AIR LAW 46

SECTION 3: HUMAN FACTORS 49

SCHEDULE 4 RESERVED 54

SCHEDULE 5 FLIGHT TEST STANDARD 55

Recreational pilot licence - aeroplane category flight test 55

SCHEDULE 8 ASSESSMENT STANDARDS – RPL(A) 57

Manoeuvres for RPL(A) 57

Key competencies 58

INTRODUCTION

This guide provides information on the requirements for the grant of a recreational pilot licence with aeroplane category rating – RPL(A). This guide does not provide the administrative procedure or requirements for obtaining the licence.

A separate guide provides information on the endorsements an RPL(A) holder can obtain.

Relevant sections of the Part 61 Manual of Standards have been extracted to provide a complete set of requirements a person must meet to be eligible for the RPL(A).

A training course for the RPL(A) must include:

· theory knowledge covering all units of knowledge;

· training for all the underpinning knowledge items specified in the units of competency; and

· practical flight training covering all the units of competency.

Schedules 1, 2 and 3 contain the training and assessment standards that must be completed before a person is eligible for an RPL(A) flight test.

How to use this guide

1. Refer to Schedule 1 to find the units of competency that apply to the RPL(A).

2. For practical flight standards, identify the unit of competency you want information on and find it in Schedule 2.

3. For aeronautical knowledge standards, identify the unit of knowledge you want information on and find it in Schedule 3.

4. Refer to Schedule 8 for the flight tolerances and the common key competency markers that support the assessment of competency.

5. Developing a training course – a training course must include all of the units of competency prescribed in this guide. Details on how the elements are to be covered by the training course need to be specified in the course training materials.

Schedule 1

Schedule 1 provides a list of the units of knowledge and competency that apply to the RPL(A). The units are described in detail in Schedules 2 and 3.

Schedule 2 – Practical flight standards

Schedule 2 contains all of the units of competency that apply to the RPL(A). Note, the units of competency for the RPL endorsements are not included in this guide as they are not mandatory for obtaining an RPL(A).

Each unit has a code and title. Note in some cases there are two codes. The codes used in the Day VFR Syllabus are being retained during the transition period of the implementation of the flight crew licensing suite of regulations.

A unit of competency covers a particular aspect of flying and includes the following:

a description of the unit;
the elements of competency that make up the unit;
for each element, what a person is required to be able to consistently demonstrate in order to show competency performing that task or activity;
the range of variables under which the performance is to be assessed; and
the underpinning knowledge that applies to the unit; the person is expected to be familiar with that knowledge and be able to apply it in a practical context.

Unit description

The unit description is a general statement about the skills and knowledge that apply to a person performing the tasks/activities covered by the unit.

A unit can apply in one or many circumstances and where applicable, different performance standards are expected. These differences relate to the various levels of licence. There is an expectation, at the time of licensing, that a commercial pilot licence holder will be able to demonstrate competency performing a task at a higher, more complex level compared to a recreational pilot licence holder. However, that doesn’t mean the recreational pilot licence holder is capable of demonstrating the higher standard at any time, and that higher standard could be achieved through further training and in some cases further experience.

Elements of competency

Each unit has one or more elements that are commonly described as tasks or activities.

For example, there is a unit of competency called Take-off aeroplane. The unit code is A2. The first of the five elements in the unit is ‘carry out pre-take-off procedures’. That element covers a critical task, competency in which is essential in order to conduct a safe take-off in an aeroplane. Where appropriate (and this is in most cases), each element is clarified by performance criteria.

Performance criteria

For each element of competency, performance criteria are prescribed. These criteria clarify what a person is expected to be able to do when performing the element. For the element ‘carry out pre-take-off procedures’, there are six criteria and they breakdown the element into quite specific sub-tasks. The fourth criterion states ‘perform all pre-take-off and line up checks required by the aircraft checklist’. That means a person performing a take-off in an aeroplane must be able to perform all the necessary pre-take-off and line-up checks. Performance needs to be demonstrated consistently, on several occasions and on more than one flight. Competency is not achieved by demonstrating a task or activity on a single occasion.

The conditions under which a task or activity is performed can vary. So a range of variables is provided to ensure all of the essential conditions under which the task or activity need to be performed are covered by the competency specification.

Range of variables

Each unit of competency includes a range of variables (ROV). These variables cover the conditions under which performance must be demonstrated. These conditions need to be made available during training. In some cases, the conditions can be covered by simulating conditions. A good example of a simulated condition is an engine failure.

Another example of a variable is cross-wind for take-off. For the competency of ‘take-off aeroplane’, it is essential the pilot is capable of handling cross-wind conditions.

In some cases, variables are adjusted depending on the licence level involved. A good example is cross-wind component for take-off aeroplane. The ROV states a recreational pilot licence holder must be capable of handling a cross-wind component of not more than 10knots whereas commercial pilots are expected to be able to handle a cross-wind component up to 70% of the maximum allowed for the aeroplane being flown. These details are prescribed in the range of variables for the unit.

Underpinning knowledge

Performing a task or activity effectively involves having underpinning knowledge pertinent to the task or activity. This underpinning knowledge supplements the knowledge covered by the units of aeronautical knowledge that are associated with the licence, rating or endorsement.

In some cases, knowledge content is covered in both the aeronautical knowledge units and the underpinning knowledge. This is necessary since, in many cases, a person can complete the practical training prior to sitting the related aeronautical knowledge examination. So it is essential where underpinning knowledge is identified, the trainee should be familiar with the content and be able to apply that knowledge to practical situations.

Schedule 3 – aeronautical knowledge standards

For aeronautical knowledge standards, go to schedule 3. Find the unit of knowledge you want information on and note its content. The content includes:

topics; and
descriptions of the knowledge standard.

A training course is required to cover the entire knowledge standards for the licence rating or endorsement. Aeronautical knowledge examinations sample the knowledge standards.

An examination can cover any content contained in these standards.

Schedule 5 – flight test standards

Flight test requirements

The flight requirements specify which flight tolerances are used for the flight test and other relevant general requirements.

Knowledge

A list of knowledge areas is prescribed for the flight test. The applicant is expected to be able to answer questions about each topic based on the knowledge standards prescribed in Schedule 3 and the underpinning knowledge that is specified for the applicable units of competency in Schedule 2.

Practical flight standards

A table of practical flight standards is provided which acts as a reference to Schedule 2 where the details of the competency standards are prescribed.

For each unit of competency listed in the table, all of the detail in Schedule 2 applies including the elements and performance criteria and the range of variables.

The applicant is expected to demonstrate competency in all of the units specified.

In some cases, modifications are made to the elements, performance criteria and range of variables that are prescribed in Schedule 2 for that unit of competency. These modifications are prescribed in the third column of the table and serve as variations to the standards in the applicable unit, element and performance criteria.

Flight tolerances are specified for handling skills. For example, pilots are expected to be able to fly within certain parameters. Tolerances are related to licence levels so a private pilot is not expected to be able to perform manoeuvres to within the same tolerances as an air transport pilot.

Schedule 8 – flight tolerances

Schedule 8 – Common key competencies

Common key competencies are applied to licences and category ratings. For each licence and category rating flight test, these competencies are assessed and provide an overview of the capability of the person performing the aggregated tasks and activities that apply to each licence and category rating.

At the completion of each flight, consideration should be given to these competency elements and an evaluation made. During a training course, it is likely a person’s overall key competency status will change depending on the complexity of the training activities and progress being made. However, at the end of the course, the person must have achieved the minimum standard that applies to the licence when operating types of aircraft relevant to the category rating.

English language proficiency

There are three aspects to English language proficiency. A person undertaking training for an RPL is expected to have sufficient English language proficiency to enable effective learning and to be able to communicate with others in an operational setting. However, the RPL doesn’t include using an aircraft radio so the RPL pilot doesn’t need to meet the standards required to operate an aeronautical radio. That standard is required if the pilot wishes to obtain a navigation endorsement or operate using a radio.

1. General English language proficiency. A person is expected to be capable of communicating effectively for the purposes of training. Training outcomes are heavily dependent on effective communications. This standard applies to student pilots and to recreational pilot licence holders, apart from those who qualify for the flight radio endorsement.

2. Operational standard. A pilot is expected to be capable of communicating effectively with other crew, other pilots operating in the same airspace and air traffic service providers. This standard applies standard phraseology and procedures. It should be noted the operational context must be taken into account when training for and assessing a person’s ability in this aspect. For example, a pilot limited to operating under day VFR conditions is not expected to be proficient in IFR radio procedures.

3. Aviation English Language Proficiency. A pilot must be able to demonstrate proficiency in English language, in an aviation context, to an acceptable standard for licensing purposes. The assessments are conducted by authorised people such as flight examiners.

SCHEDULE 1: RPL(A)

The following two tables summarise the units of aeronautical knowledge and practical flight standards that apply to the RPL(A).

A separate section is provided below for each unit in the tables that includes a description of the unit and the elements and performance criteria that describe what a person must achieve in order to be eligible for the licence and category rating.