IVAO Belgium

As soon as you feel ready, you may do a theoretical exam on-line.

This is based on a multiple choice system where you have to answer a set number of question within a limited time frame.
Only after successful completing of this theoretical part you can apply for the practical exam.

Make sure you are properly prepared instead of getting a “failed exam”.

What to expect?

Like in real life you advance step by step. You are a Senior Private Pilot meanwhile and have learned “how to handle multi-engine aircraft” and you understand “the basics of Instrument Flight Rules or IFR”.
Now the next step is to handle a jet-engine aircraft loaded with paying passengers and/or cargo. Show you can fly them safely in all weather conditions by making full use of all the navigation instruments. In short: Apply the advanced Instrument Flight Rules or IFR.

The exam

As a commercial pilot you are responsible for your passengers and cargo. As a result your company will make sure it can rely on you. Therefore a good theoretical knowledge and good practical skills are a must.

Theoretical

Your theoretical exam concentrates on many points. Still, like the theoretical, during the practical exam the examiner may ask you explanations as well on the following:

• Aircraft knowledge and performance: basic weights, standard take-off and landing parameters, usual operating cruise speed(s) and flight levels, altitude and speed limitations, approach/landing configurations and speeds,

• Chart reading, IFR procedures: IFR charts (SID, STAR, IAP) interpretation, semi-circular rules, RVSM airspace, routing restrictions, applicable flight minimum altitudes, precision and non precision approach minima, fuel requirement and flight time estimates,

• Flight instruments and navigation equipment: aircraft flight instrument systems (altimeter, airspeed indicator, VSI, AI, HSI, heading indicator, electronic flight systems), altimeter settings, TAS and GS estimation, aircraft navigation systems (VOR, ADF, DME, RMI, ILS, FMS), transponders,

• Meteorology: METAR and TAF interpretation, en-route winds and SIGMET charts.

Practical

For the practical exam, you have to prepare a full IFR flight from your departure aerodrome to a given destination. Both are mentioned by the examiner with the invitation for this practical exam.

The test flight will mainly assess the following:

• IFR flight plan;
  we encourage you to carefully learn how to correctly file a flight plan and to check its validity,

• IFR departure procedure (as published or prescribed by examiner),

• En route IFR navigation (accuracy of navigation based on radio-navigation aids);
  during the flight, your examiner may ask you to make some exercises (turns to specified headings, climbs/descents to assigned altitude, crossing a defined fix at a specified altitude, intercepting and tracking a nav-aid radial),

• Standard IFR arrival procedure via a prescribed or published route,

• Hold over a fix (using the adequate entry procedure),

• ILS precision approach, including initial approach segment (as published, including any required procedure turn, racetrack inversion or DME arc or as required by examiner),

• VOR, NDB or localizer only non-precision approach,

• Missed approach,

• Circling approach.

Since this is an IFR flight, you have to use navigation instruments and know how to read your charts. Know what they are and how to use them. Be careful while using computer based systems like FMC, because the examiner may instruct you to do exercises that are difficult to execute promptly with an FMC.

Know how to communicate with ATC, both at departure and arrival, and of course en-route. Since this is an exam flight under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), most of the time if not all, you will fly in controlled airspace. Know what that means.
Finally, you are IFR, so keep an eye on the instruments and charts.

Aircraft type

A medium (M) category twin-engine jet aircraftsuch as the Boeing 737, Airbus A320, Embraer E-Jet, Fokker 100 or similar must be used for the skills test. The aircraft must be equipped with required IFR NAV and COM equipment - this includes at least 2 VOR, 1 ILS, 1 ADF, 1 DME, 1 RMI and optionally an FMC and/or a GPS.
Make sure you choose an aircraft you know well and are comfortable with.
You will have to inform your examiner of the aircraft you will use for the exam beforehand.

Specific points

In addition to what has been mentioned already, basically like before

• Connect on-line and communicate on the radio frequency and on chat

• IFR flight plan and IFR based departure route (SID), en-route (airways) and arrival route (STAR)

• Ground movements from gate/parking area to assigned runway

• Take off and proper flying technique (speed, headings, performance)

• En-route IFR navigation (accuracy of navigation based on radio-navigation aids)

• IFR departure and IFR arrival as instructed or as published (instrument procedure as published)

• Full stop landing and taxi to apron/gate

• Phraseology (use of correct phraseology, prompt and accurate read-back)

• Proficiency in spoken English

More detailed and up to date information about this exam requirements can be found at http://ivao.aero/training/
Attentively read this document as to be aware of what to expect !!

Advice

• Make sure you have all the IFR charts available because you can’t pass without them.

• Make sure you go to the bathroom and eat properly before the exam. I would advice you to keep a bottle of water not too far away from you during the exam.

• If you feel uncertain of your capabilities, do not hesitate to request anyone of the training section on forehand. Staff members may give you a ‘check-ride’ and evaluate your ability to request the exam.

• Be aware that if the exam isn’t processed within 3 months after its initial request, it will be cancelled again!

References

The IVAO training website at http://ivao.aero/training/briefing/CP-Briefing.pdf

The IVAO Academy website at http://academy.ivao.aero/

The Belgium Division website at http://be.ivao.aero/

Like any well trained and advanced pilot: Be more than fully prepared!

Good luck!

Update 27/12/10