How much do exams cost and should I do them first?

[midiman]

Hi how much do the PPL exams cost and how many do I need to do?

I was thinking of getting them out of the way and then going over to America to complete the rest of the PPL training.

For studying i,m going to use my OAA PPL ground school study pack. Each CD covers the exams topic in depth. But to be honest they may go into to much depth so I would like to know are there any simplified aids to get you through the exams.

ie. Materials that teach you what you need to know in the shortest amount of time.

And test questions etc.

Thanks

[4015]

From memory the exams are something about £20, for the PPL they tend to be different depending on where you take them as they are taken at the flight school. As for how many you need to do... Have you done ANY research at all?

Going to America... doing FAA or JAA course? Bearing in mind a lot of the Law and Navigation will be different (in practical terms) in America compared to what you've learnt in the UK.

And seeing as you apparently can't be bothered to find out how many exams there are, I'm not surprised you want to find a shortcut way to pass them too. Flying really isn't something you can do half heartedly. Learn the stuff, not the questions. One day it could save your life.

4015

[midiman]

Sorry maybe I am being a bit lazy. But i,m in a rush to get things done both in and out of my current job. If the method of slavery in the UK wasnt as bad I would have more time to devote to this.

[Whopity]

There are 7 written exams and one practical test for the RT. The cost is not fixed, examiners are free to set their own charges. At a few schools they are free, but if you want to just do the exams then you will have to pay and maybe more than if you were learning to fly at a UK school. The exam results go on CAA form SRG 1105 Section 7. You need to make sure the examiner signs for each exam as you pass it and you will need to take the form with you. You should not under any circumstances be given the marked papers. If you are unfortunate enough to fail an exam you will be given a Form 252, this is important because you must give it to the examiner the next time you resit the exam to ensure you do not get the same paper again. The CAA also get a copy of this form.

[BillieBob]

This is another thing that is due to change under the EASA Implementing Rules. The IRs make no distinction between exams for the PPL and any other licence and so the requirements for training, recommendation and number of attempts will be the same as for the CPL/ATPL. This will, it appears, remove the option of taking the exams before enrolling in an ATO for PPL flight training. As part of its approval an ATO will be responsible for providing the necessary theoretical knowledge training, recommending a candidate for examination and monitoring their success or otherwise within the laid down criteria. It remains to be seen what sort of a hash the UK CAA makes in attempting to comply with these requirements whilst doing the minimum work possible for its obscenely high fees.

FCL.025 Theoretical knowledge examinations for the issue of licences
(a) Responsibilities of the applicant
(1) Applicants shall take the entire set of examinations for a specific licence or rating under the
responsibility of one Member State.
(2) Applicants shall only take the examination when recommended by the approved training
organisation (ATO) responsible for their training, once they have completed the appropriate
elements of the training course of theoretical knowledge instruction to a satisfactory standard.
(3) The recommendation by an ATO shall be valid for 12 months. If the applicant has failed to
attempt at least one theoretical knowledge examination paper within this period of validity, the need
for further training shall be determined by the ATO, based on the needs of the applicant.
(b) Pass standards
(1) A pass in an examination paper will be awarded to an applicant achieving at least 75% of the
marks allocated to that paper. There is no penalty marking.
(2) Unless otherwise determined in this Part, an applicant has successfully completed the
required theoretical knowledge examination for the appropriate pilot licence or rating when he/she
has passed all the required examination papers within a period of 18 months counted from the end
of the calendar month when the applicant first attempted an examination.
(3) If an applicant has failed to pass one of the examination papers within 4 attempts, or has
failed to pass all papers within either 6 sittings or the period mentioned in paragraph (2), he/she
shall re-take the complete set of examination papers.
Before re-taking the examinations, the applicant shall undertake further training at an ATO. The
extent and scope of the training needed shall be determined by the training organisation, based on
the needs of the applicant.
(c) Validity period
(1) The successful completion of the theoretical knowledge examinations will be valid:
(i) for the issue of a light aircraft pilot licence, a private pilot licence, a sailplane pilot licence or
a balloon pilot licence, for a period of 24 months;
(ii) for the issue of a commercial pilot licence or instrument rating (IR), for a period of 36
months;
(iii) the periods in (i) and (ii) shall be counted from the day when the pilot successfully
completes the theoretical knowledge examination, in accordance with (b)(2).
(2) The completion of the airline transport pilot licence (ATPL) theoretical knowledge
examinations will remain valid for the issue of an ATPL for a period of 7 years from the last
validity date of:
(i) an IR entered in the licence; or

(ii) in the case of helicopters, a helicopter’s type rating entered in that licence.

FCL.210 Training course
Applicants for a BPL, SPL or PPL shall complete a training course at an ATO. The course

shall include theoretical knowledge and flight instruction appropriate to the privileges given.

[Whopity]

This is the best bit:

(3) If an applicant has failed to pass one of the examination papers within 4 attempts, or has
failed to pass all papers within either 6 sittings or the period mentioned in paragraph (2), he/she
shall re-take the complete set of examination papers.

As the UK has 7 exams it will be impossible to ever obtain a pass!

[mrmum]

Will that not just mean that we will have to make a customer attempt at least two of the PPL theory exams at one "sitting", probably more than once to allow for a fail and resit. That's not going to work well for a lot of people is it.

Is there an EASA definition of "sitting" is it just on the same day?

(3) If an applicant has failed to pass one of the examination papers within 4 attempts,

Does this mean we can look forward to at least one new exam paper per subject from the CAA?

[Whopity]

They don't have anyone to write them!

The clots at EASA probably don't even know that there are no "European" exams at PPL level.

It begs the question, of how or why we need a a European licence(s) when half of it is missing?