Assessment of competence SFE can only be done by Senior Examiner

In accordance with FCL.1020 applicants for an SFE examiner certificate shall demonstrate his competence to an inspector from the competent authority or a senior examiner through the conduct of a skill test, proficiency check or assessment of competence in the examiner role for which privileges are sought, 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.

An inspector of the competent authority or a senior examiner will observe all SFE examiner applicants conducting a test on a ‘candidate’ in an aircraft for which SFE examiner certificate is sought. Items from the related training course and test or check schedule will be selected by the inspector for examination of the ‘candidate’ by the SFE examiner applicant. Having agreed with the inspector 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 will discuss the assessment with the examiner applicant before the ‘candidate’ is debriefed and informed of the result.

Senior Examiner providing the SFE assessment of competence shall have at least 3 years of experience as SFE or TRE - means that he has to be authorized to provide the Type Instructor - TRI or SFI assessment of competence.

SFE Assessment of competence covers following topics:

Briefing of the Candidate

  • The ‘candidate’ should be given time and facilities to prepare for the test flight. The briefing should cover the following:
    • the objective of the flight;
    • licensing checks, as necessary;
    • freedom for the ‘candidate’ to ask questions;
    • operating procedures to be followed (for example operators manual);
    • weather assessment;
    • operating capacity of ‘candidate’ and examiner;
    • aims to be identified by ‘candidate’;
    • simulated weather assumptions (for example icing and cloud base);
    • use of screens (if applicable);
    • contents of exercise to be performed;
    • agreed speed and handling parameters (for example V-speeds, bank angle, approach minima);
    • use of R/T;
    • respective roles of ‘candidate’ and examiner (for example during emergency);
    • administrative procedures (for example submission of flight plan).
  • The examiner applicant should maintain the necessary level of communication with the ‘candidate’. The following check details should be followed by the examiner applicant:
    • involvement of examiner in a MP operating environment;
    • the need to give the ‘candidate’ precise instructions;
    • responsibility for safe conduct of the flight;
    • intervention by examiner, when necessary;
    • use of screens;
    • liaison with ATC and the need for concise, easily understood intentions;
    • prompting the ‘candidate’ about required sequence of events (for example following a go-around);
    • keeping brief, factual and unobtrusive notes.

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:
    • questions from the ‘candidate’;
    • give results of the test and any sections failed;
    • give reasons for failure.

De-briefing

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

  • advise the candidate on how to avoid or correct mistakes;
  • mention any other points of criticism noted;
  • give any advice considered helpful.

RECORDING OR DOCUMENTATION

The examiner applicant should demonstrate to the inspector the ability to complete the relevant records correctly. These records may be:

  • the relevant test or check form;
  • licence entry;
  • notification of failure form;
  • relevant company forms where the examiner has privileges of conducting operator proficiency checks.

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.