AMC1 SFCL.145 SPL – Practical skill test

CAA ORS9 Decision No. 1

    (a) GENERAL

      (1) An applicant should be responsible for the flight planning and should ensure that all equipment and documentation for the execution of the flight are available.

      (2) The applicant should indicate to the FE the checks and duties carried out.

      Checks should be completed in accordance with the flight manual or the authorised checklist for the sailplane in which the test is being taken.

    (b) ADDITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SKILL TESTS IN TMGs

      (1) The route to be flown for the skill test should be chosen by the FE. The route should end at the point of departure or another aerodrome or operating site. The navigation section of the test should have a duration of at least 30 minutes which allows the pilot to demonstrate the ability to complete a route with at least two identified waypoints and may, as agreed between applicant and FE, be flown as a separate test.

      (2) When indicating to the FE the checks and duties to be carried out, the applicant should include the identification of radio facilities that are intended to be used. During pre-flight preparation for the test, the applicant should be required to determine power settings and speeds. Performance data for take-off, approach and landing should be calculated by the applicant in compliance with the aircraft flight manual for the TMG used.

    (c) FLIGHT TEST TOLERANCE

      (1) The applicant should demonstrate the ability to:

        (i) operate the sailplane within its limitations;

        (ii) complete all manoeuvres with smoothness and accuracy;

        (iii) exercise good judgment and airmanship;

        (iv) apply aeronautical knowledge; and

        (v) maintain control of the sailplane at all times in such a manner that the successful outcome of a procedure or manoeuvre is never seriously in doubt.

      (2) In the case of skill tests in TMGs, the following limits are for general guidance. The FE should make allowance for turbulent conditions and the handling qualities and performance of the TMG used:

      (i) height: normal flight ± 150 ft

      (ii) speed:

      (A) take-off and approach +15/-5 knots

      (B) all other flight regimes ± 15 knots

    (d) CONTENT OF THE SKILL TEST

      (1) The following skill test contents and sections should be used for the skill test for the issue of an SPL in a sailplane, excluding TMGs:

      Note: Use of checklist(s), airmanship, control of sailplane by external visual reference, look-out procedures etc. apply in all sections.

 

Skill test contents and sections for the skill test for the issue of an SPL in a sailplane, excluding TMGs
SECTION 1: PRE-FLIGHT OPERATIONS AND DEPARTURE

a

Pre-flight sailplane (daily) inspection, documentation, flight planning, NOTAM(s) and

weather briefing

b

Verifying in-limits mass and balance and performance calculation

c

Sailplane servicing compliance

d

Pre-take-off checks

Note for SECTION 2A-2C: At least for one of the three launch methods, all the mentioned items are fully exercised during the skill test.

SECTION 2A: WINCH OR CAR LAUNCH

a

Signals before and during launch, including messages to winch driver

b

Adequate profile of winch launch

c

Simulated launch failure (during launch or in free flight)

d

Situational awareness

SECTION 2B: AEROTOW LAUNCH

a

Signals before and during launch, including signals to or communications with the tow

plane pilot for any problems

b

Initial roll and take-off climb

c

Launch abandonment (simulation only or ‘talk-through’)

d

Correct positioning during straight flight and turns

e

Out of position and recovery

f

Correct release from tow

g

Look-out and airmanship through the whole launch phase

SECTION 2C: SELF-LAUNCH

(powered sailplanes only)

a

ATC compliance (if applicable)

b

Aerodrome departure procedures

c

Initial roll and take-off climb

d

Look-out and airmanship during the whole take-off

e

Simulated engine failure after take-off

f

Engine shut down and stowage

SECTION 3: GENERAL AIRWORK

a

Maintain straight flight: attitude and speed control

b

Coordinated medium (30 ° bank) turns, look-out procedures and collision avoidance

c

Turning on to selected headings visually and with use of compass

d

Flight at high angle of attack (critically low air speed)

e

Clean stall and recovery

f

Spin avoidance and recovery*

g

Steep (45 ° bank) turns, look-out procedures and collision avoidance

h

Local area navigation and awareness

SECTION 4: CIRCUIT, APPROACH AND LANDING

a

Aerodrome circuit joining procedure

b

Collision avoidance: look-out procedures

c

Pre-landing checks

d

Circuit, approach control and landing

e

Precision landing (simulation of out-landing and short field)

f

Crosswind landing if suitable conditions are available

(*) If no suitable training aircraft is available to demonstrate the fully developed spin including spin recovery, or if such spin manoeuvres cannot be performed due to bad weather constraints, the applicant should demonstrate the competence in all the aspects related to this exercise during a discussion with the examiner.

    (2) The following skill test contents and sections should be used for the skill test for the issue of an SPL in a TMG:

    Note: Use of checklist(s), airmanship, control of TMG by external visual reference, de- icing procedures, etc. apply in all sections.

 

Skill test contents and sections for the skill test for the issue of an SPL in a TMG
SECTION 1: PRE-FLIGHT OPERATIONS AND DEPARTURE

a

Pre-flight documentation, flight planning, NOTAM(s) and weather briefing

b

Mass and balance and performance calculation

c

TMG inspection and servicing

d

Engine starting and after starting procedures

e

Taxiing and aerodrome procedures, pre-take-off procedures

f

Take-off and after take-off checks

g

Aerodrome departure procedures

h

ATC liaison: compliance

SECTION 2A: GENERAL AIRWORK (WITH ENGINE POWER)

a

ATC liaison

b

Straight and level flight, with speed changes

c

Climbing:

    i. best rate of climb;

    ii. climbing turns; and

    iii. levelling off.

d

Medium (30 ° bank) turns, look-out procedures and collision avoidance

e

Steep (45 ° bank) turns

f

Flight at critically low air speed with and without flaps

g

Stalling:

    i. clean stall and recover with power;

    ii. approach to stall descending turn with bank angle 20 °, approach configuration; and

    iii. approach to stall in landing configuration.

h

Descending:

    i. with and without power;

    ii. descending turns (steep gliding turns); and

    iii. levelling off.

SECTION 2B: GENERAL AIRWORK (WITHOUT ENGINE POWER)

a

Straight and level flight, with speed changes

b

Medium (30 ° bank) turns, look-out procedures and collision avoidance

c

In-flight engine start and stop procedures

d

Stall in turns

SECTION 3: EN-ROUTE PROCEDURES

a

Flight plan, dead reckoning and map reading

b

Maintenance of altitude, heading and speed

c

Orientation, airspace structure, timing and revision of estimated times of arrival (ETAs), log keeping

d

Diversion to alternate aerodrome (planning and implementation)

e

Flight management (checks, fuel systems, carburettor icing, etc.)

f

ATC liaison: compliance

SECTION 4: APPROACH AND LANDING PROCEDURES

a

Aerodrome arrival procedures

b

Collision avoidance (look-out procedures)

c

Precision landing (short field landing) and crosswind, if suitable conditions are available

d

Flapless landing (if applicable)

e

Approach to landing with idle power

f

Touch and go

g

Go-around from low height

h

ATC liaison

i

Actions after flight

SECTION 5: ABNORMAL AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

This section may be combined with Sections 1 through 4.

a

Simulated engine failure after take-off

b

* Simulated forced landing

c

* Simulated precautionary landing

d

Simulated emergencies

e

Oral questions

* These items may be combined, at the discretion of the FE.