BFCL.445 FE(B) certificate – Assessment of competence

Regulation (EU) 2020/357

An applicant for the initial issue of an FE(B) certificate shall demonstrate his or her competences as an FE(B) to an inspector from the competent authority or to a senior examiner specifically authorised to do so by the competent authority that is responsible for the FE(B) certificate. During the assessment of competence, the applicant shall conduct a skill test, proficiency check or assessment of competence, including briefing, conduct of the skill test, proficiency check or assessment of competence, and assessment of the person to whom the test, check or assessment is given, debriefing and recording documentation.

ED Decision 2020/003/R

1. General
   
   The competent authority may nominate either one of its inspectors or a senior examiner to assess the competence of applicants for the FE(B) certificate.
   
   
2. Definitions
   
   
   1. ‘Inspector/senior examiner’: the inspector of the competent authority or the senior examiner who is conducting the examiner competence assessment.
      
      
   2. ‘Examiner applicant’: the person seeking certification as an examiner.
      
      
   3. ‘Candidate’: the person being tested or checked by the examiner applicant. This person may be a pilot for whom the test or check would be required, or the inspector of the competent authority or the senior examiner who is conducting the examiner certification acceptance test.
      
      
3. Conduct of the assessment
   
   An inspector/senior examiner will observe all examiner applicants conducting a test on a ‘candidate’ in a balloon for which examiner certificate is sought. Items from the related training course and test or check schedule will be selected by the inspector/senior examiner for examination of the ‘candidate’ by the examiner applicant. Having agreed with the inspector/senior examiner the content of the test, the examiner applicant will be expected to manage the entire test. This will include briefing, the conduct of the flight, assessment and debriefing of the ‘candidate’. The inspector/senior examiner will discuss the assessment with the examiner applicant before the ‘candidate’ is debriefed and informed of the result.
   
   
4. Briefing the ‘candidate’
   
   
   1. The ‘candidate’ should be given time and facilities to prepare for the test flight. The briefing should cover the following:
      
      
      1. the objective of the flight;
      2. licensing checks, as necessary;
      3. freedom for the ‘candidate’ to ask questions;
      4. operating procedures to be followed (for example, the operator's manual);
      5. weather assessment;
      6. operating capacity of ‘candidate’ and examiner;
      7. aims to be identified by ‘candidate’;
      8. simulated weather assumptions (for example, wind speed and visibility cloud base);
      9. contents of the exercise to be performed;
      10. use of R/T;
      11. respective roles of ‘candidate’ and examiner (for example, during emergency); and
      12. administrative procedures (for example, submission of flight plan).
          
          
   2. The examiner applicant should maintain the necessary level of communication with the ‘candidate’. The following check details should be followed by the examiner applicant:
      
      
      1. the need to give the ‘candidate’ precise instructions;
      2. responsibility for the safe conduct of the flight;
      3. intervention by the examiner, when necessary;
      4. liaison with ATC (where required) and the need for concise, easily understood intentions;
      5. prompting the ‘candidate’ about required sequence of events (for example, following an aborted landing); and
      6. keeping brief, factual and unobtrusive notes.
         
         
5. Assessment
   
   The examiner applicant should refer to the flight test tolerances given in the relevant skill test. Attention should be paid to the following points:
   
   
   1. questions from the ‘candidate’;
      
      
   2. giving the results of the test and any sections failed; and
      
      
   3. giving the reasons for failure.
      
      
6. Debriefing
   
   The examiner applicant should demonstrate to the inspector the ability to conduct a fair, unbiased debriefing of the ‘candidate’ based on identifiable factual items. A balance between friendliness and firmness should be evident. The following points should be discussed with the ‘candidate’, at the applicant’s discretion:
   
   
   1. advising the candidate on how to avoid or correct mistakes;
      
      
   2. mentioning any other points of criticism noted; and
      
      
   3. giving any advice considered helpful.
      
      
7. Recording or documentation
   
   The examiner applicant should demonstrate to the inspector the ability to complete the relevant records correctly. These records may be:
   
   
   1. the relevant test or check form;
      
      
   2. the licence entry;
      
      
   3. the notification of failure form; and
      
      
   4. relevant company forms where the examiner has privileges of conducting operator proficiency checks.
      
      
8. Demonstration of theoretical knowledge
   
   The examiner applicant should demonstrate to the inspector a satisfactory knowledge of the regulatory requirements associated with the function of an examiner.

ED Decision 2020/003/R

1. A senior examiner specifically tasked by the competent authority to observe skill tests or proficiency checks for the revalidation of examiner certificates should:
   
   
   1. hold a valid or current examiner certificate appropriate to the privileges being granted;
   2. have examiner experience of a level acceptable to the competent authority; and
   3. have conducted a number of skill tests or proficiency checks as an FE(B).
      
      
2. The competent authority may conduct a pre-assessment of the applicant or candidate carrying out a skill test and proficiency check under the supervision of an inspector of the competent authority.
   
   
3. Applicants should be required to attend a senior examiner briefing, course or seminar arranged by the competent authority. The content and duration will be determined by the competent authority and should include:
   
   
   1. pre-course self-study;
   2. legislation;
   3. the role of the senior examiner;
   4. an examiner assessment; and
   5. national administrative requirements.
      
      
4. The validity of the authorisation should not exceed the validity of the examiner’s certificate, and in any case should not exceed 5 years. The authorisation may be revalidated in accordance with procedures established by the competent authority.

→ BFCL.460