Please make sure you have all of the following prior to the test day:

Training records, Logbook, Medical Certificate, Class 1, 2 RAMPC, Basic Class 2 or Class 5. ELP (English Language Assessment) and KDR's completed by a Flight Instructor.

The following forms will need to be available from the school or Flight Examiner:- 61-PLA, 61-1RE, 61-9 PIC, 61-1486, 61-1495, ASIC copy.

You will need to either have made any applicable payment to CASA for the licence on line or have a credit card available to complete the details on the application form.

Minimum age – the examiner must sight one of the following documents to verify that the applicant is at least 16 years of age:

Australian driver licence, CASA issued medical certificate, Australian passport, Australian birth certificate.

Eligibility certification – the examiner must ensure that an appropriate person of the training provider has certified in writing that the applicant is eligible to take the flight test.

Test Duration (Approximate)

Oral questioning 45min-1 hour

Flight Test 1.5 hrs

Quick pre-test checklist (bring this with you)

  • Today’s W&B (T/O and landing) within limits.

  • Performance tables computed (runway, surface, DA, obstacles).

  • Flight Plan with headings/times/fuel, diversion blank ready. (If doing RPL Nav)

  • NOTAMs/Weather printed or cached; alternates/last-light if relevant.

  • EFB & backups (power, paper minima, critical frequencies, LSALT method).

  • Standard briefs ready: departure, diversion, PFL/precautionary, approach/landing gates.

  • Quick RPL (no CTA, no nav) prep checklist

    • Local circuit data: runway in use, circuit direction/height, noise abatement, joining procedures.

    • Radio cards: correct CTAF/MBZ freq, call templates (taxi/back-track, joining, base, final, clear).

    • Speeds: rotate, climb, circuit downwind/base/final, flapless targets.

    • Go-around plan and call.

    • Brief, simple stall recovery patter.

    • Airmanship: lookout scan, spacing with other traffic, and stable-approach gates.

Flight Instructor.jpg

General guidance for Knowledge Assessment of CASA Flight Tests

When sitting any category of oral examination for a flight test the Flight Examiner may ask you any questions up to and including the category of license for which you are presenting.

Generally Flight Examiners will restrict their questioning to the knowledge requirements of the MOS Schedule 5 listed on the relevant flight test form.

The best way to prepare for the oral component of a flight test used is to study the flight test form and the subject matter carefully and thoroughly well in advance of the scheduled flight test date.

This will enable you to sit the test with the level of confidence you require and the of level of knowledge you require to satisfy the Flight Examiner.

If you answer questions correctly and without hesitation to the satisfaction of the Flight Examiner, the questioning will be brief.  If however, you are unsure of the answers and make mistakes the Flight Examiner will go further with the questioning.

Flight examiners will also examine your KDR's (Knowledge Deficiency Reports) and may ask questions about the deficient items even though a previous flight instructor has checked you on these items.  Make sure that you understand where you went wrong in the written exams and study the areas carefully because questions may be asked about these topics.

When answering questions, take a moment to think about what the Flight Examiner is actually asking you.  Often candidates do not listen to the question and start talking about something else.  The questions the flight examiner asks will be clear, simple and unambiguous.  A simple question requires a simple answer - just answer the question and do not offer any more information.  If the Flight Examiner requires further information they will ask for it.  If you do not understand the question seek clarification before answering.

MOS Schedule 2 Competency Standards NTS1

NTS 1 Examination items for every flight test!

NTS1       Non-technical skills 1

1                Unit description

This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to manage a safe flight.

2                Elements and performance criteria

2.1            NTS1.1 – Maintain effective lookout

(a)      maintain traffic separation using a systematic visual scan technique at a rate determined by traffic density, visibility and terrain;

(b)      maintain radio listening watch and interpret transmissions to determine traffic location and intentions;

(c)      perform airspace-cleared procedure before commencing any manoeuvre.

2.2            NTS1.2 – Maintain situational awareness

(a)      monitor all aircraft systems using a systematic scan technique;

(b)      collect information to facilitate ongoing system management;

(c)      monitor flight environment for deviations from planned operations;

(d)      collect flight environment information to update planned operations.

2.3            NTS1.3 – Assess situations and make decisions

(a)      identify problems;

(b)      analyse problems;

(c)      identify solutions;

(d)      assess solutions and risks;

(e)      decide on a course of action;

(f)        communicate plans of action (if appropriate);

(g)      allocate tasks for action (if appropriate);

(h)      take actions to achieve optimum outcomes for the operation;

(i)        monitor progress against plan;

(j)        re-evaluate plan to achieve optimum outcomes.

2.4            NTS1.4 – Set priorities and manage tasks

(a)      organise workload and priorities to ensure optimum outcome of the flight;

(b)      plan events and tasks to occur sequentially;

(c)      anticipate events and tasks to ensure sufficient opportunity for completion;

(d)      use technology to reduce workload and improve cognitive and manipulative activities.

2.5            NTS1.5 – Maintain effective communications and interpersonal relationships

(a)      establish and maintain effective and efficient communications and interpersonal relationships with all stakeholders to ensure the optimum outcome of the flight;

(b)      define and explain objectives to stakeholders;

(c)      demonstrate a level of assertiveness that ensures the optimum completion of the flight.

3                Range of variables

(a)      simulated conditions may be used where appropriate.

4                Underpinning knowledge of the following:

(a)      effective communication under normal and non-normal circumstances;

(b)      task management.

MOS Schedule 2 Competency Standards NTS2

NTS 2 Examination items for every flight test!

NTS2       Non-technical skills 2

1                Unit description

This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to recognise, direct and manage threats and errors during flight operations.

2                Elements and performance criteria

2.1            NTS2.1 – Recognise and manage threats

(a)      identify relevant environmental or operational threats that are likely to affect the safety of the flight;

(b)      identify when competing priorities and demands may represent a threat to the safety of the flight;

(c)      develop and implement countermeasures to manage threats;

(d)      monitor and assess flight progress to ensure a safe outcome, or modify actions when a safe outcome is not assured.

2.2            NTS2.2 – Recognise and manage errors

(a)      apply checklists and standard operating procedures to prevent aircraft handling, procedural or communication errors;

(b)      identify committed errors before safety is affected or the aircraft enters an undesired state;

(c)      monitor the following to collect and analyse information to identify potential or actual errors:

(i)        aircraft systems using a systematic scan technique;

(ii)      the flight environment;

(iii)     other crew;

(d)      implement countermeasures to prevent errors or take action in the time available to correct errors before the aircraft enters an undesired state.

2.3            NTS2.3 – Recognise and manage undesired aircraft state

(a)      recognise an undesired aircraft state;

(b)      prioritise tasks to ensure an undesired aircraft state is managed effectively;

(c)      apply corrective actions to recover an undesired aircraft state in a safe and timely manner.

3                Range of variables

(a)      Reserved;

(b)      simulated conditions may be used where appropriate.

4                Underpinning knowledge of the following:

(a)      effective communication under normal and non-normal circumstances;

(b)      threat and error management detailing processes that can be used to identify and mitigate or control threats and errors;

(c)      the application of situational awareness to identifying real or potential environmental or operational threats to flight safety;

(d)      developing and implementing plans of action for the following:

(i)        removing and mitigating threats;

(ii)      removing and mitigating errors;

(e)      undesired aircraft states, including prevention, identifying and controlling;

(f)        how an undesired aircraft state can develop from an unmanaged threat or error;

(g)      what aspects of multi-crew operations (if applicable) can prevent an undesired aircraft state;

(h)      use of checklists and standard operating procedures to prevent errors.

(i)        task management, including:

(i)        workload organisation and priority setting to ensure optimum safe outcome of the flight;

(ii)      event planning to occur in a logical and sequential manner;

(iii)     anticipating events to ensure sufficient opportunity is available for completion;

(iv)     using technology to reduce workload and improve cognitive and manipulative activities;

(v)      task prioritisation and protection whilst filtering and managing real time information.

RPL Recreational Pilot Licences Flight Tolerances

RPL.jpg

SECTION 1: Flight tolerances

Table 1: Aeroplane general flight tolerances – private level

Applicability

  1.              The flight tolerances in this subsection apply to the following licences and ratings:

    1.        recreational pilot licence;

  1.                 Requirements

    1.              A person is required to perform flight manoeuvres within the flight tolerances mentioned in this table to be assessed as competent in the associated unit of competency.

  2.                 Flight tolerances

Taxing aircraft ±1.5 metres of centreline

Nominated heading ±10°

Climb airspeed -0 / +5 kts

Level off from climb and descent ±150 ft

Straight and level Altitude ±150 ft IAS ±10 kts

Power descent airspeed ±10 kts

Glide -5 / +10 kts

Turns Angle of Bank ±5°

Turns onto nominated headings Heading ±10°

Steep Turn Heading ±10° Height ±150 ft

Final approach airspeed -0 / +5 kts

Landing Touchdown ±120 m Centreline tracking ±2 m

Asymmetric flight Heading – initial ±20° Heading - sustained ±5° IAS -0 +5 kts

Limited panel instrument flying Heading ±15° IAS ±10 kts or ±M0.02 Height ±200 ft

 

RPL Flight Examiner Handbook Content

Press the button below to go to the CASA website

The sections that are relevant to the RPL Flight test are Section 4 NTS 1 and NTS 2 P 49-64 Assessment and Section 5 P 65-72 RPL Flight Test

RPL Test Form 61-1486

Press the button below to go to the CASA website

This is the form that your Flight Examiner will use to assess you for the RPL Flight test.

FAQ RPL Flight Test

Frequently Asked Questions RPL

About 30–45 minutes. Scenario-based oral focused on local circuit operations in Class G, basic performance, W&B, and radio procedures at non-towered aerodromes (your Flight Radio endorsement).

  • Licence/ARN & medical, training completion, logbook recency.

  • Proof of age (16+)

  • ELP (GELP or AELP)

  • Aircraft docs: Maintenance Release, POH/AFM, W&B data.

  • Today’s local plan: runway in use, wind/NOTAMs, circuit direction/height, T/O & landing distances, and a simple fuel plan.

Today’s take-off and landing distances (surface, wind, temperature), target circuit speeds, and W&B within limits for take-off and landing.

Class G and non-towered aerodrome procedures only: circuit joining/turn direction, right-of-way, VMC minima, and standard broadcasts. No CTA entry, no controlled aerodrome procedures.

  • Frequency selection (CTAF/MBZ if applicable), AWIS/ATIS use.

  • Standard broadcasts: taxi, back-tracking, inbound 10 NM, joining, base, final, clear of runway.

  • Correct phraseology, read-backs when appropriate, and clear, concise calls.

  • Emergency calls: MAYDAY and PAN-PAN format, forced-landing broadcast, radio-failure actions at a non-towered aerodrome.

Plain, standard, and concise. Use the correct format (Who am I – Where am I – What do I want to do). Keep it short; key info first.

Yes—know how to continue safely without radio in Class G at a non-towered aerodrome: heightened lookout, standard circuit, and broadcast if/when communications restored. Know transponder use if fitted (and when it’s not required).

Workload management in the circuit, lookout/see-and-avoid, decision-making on unstable approaches, and handling distractions (traffic, radio, checklists).

  • Guessing performance or turning up without a W&B.

  • Weak understanding of non-towered circuit procedures (join, sequencing, separation).

  • Poor or non-standard phraseology on the radio.

No. Have a chart for the relevant area.  A calculator is permissible but will probably not be needed.

Schedule 8 Private Pilot Level. Target tolerances (typical for a light trainer unless your school specifies otherwise): Altitude ±150 ft; Heading ±10°; IAS −0/+5 kt. Stable approaches and runway centreline control throughout.

Plan 1.2 hr. Typical flow: start/taxi/run-up & radio → normal take-off → local handling (straight & level, climbs/descents/turns, a basic stall or approach-to-stall recognition/recovery) → return for circuits/landings (normal + one variant) → go-around.

Runway alignment, appropriate rotation and climb speeds, positive rate, noise-abatement/circuit turn on time, and clear after-take-off checks. Radio call: concise departure or upwind-to-crosswind as per local practice.

  • Straight & level (trimmed, height/speed control).

  • Climbs/descents and medium turns with lookout and altitude control.

  • A stall or approach-to-stall recognition and prompt recovery (minimal height loss).

  • As per the test form

At least two circuits: one normal and one variant (e.g., flapless or glide as appropriate to your aircraft/school). Expect a go-around. You must keep it stable or go around early.

  • Correct frequency, correct timing and content of calls (taxi/back-track if applicable, inbound/10 NM if used, joining, base, final, clear of runway).

  • Clear phraseology, correct aerodrome name, accurate position, and intentions.

  • Good radio discipline: brief, relevant, no clutter.

Right aerodrome name, who/where/what, and unambiguous intentions (e.g., “joining mid-downwind runway two-three, touch-and-go”). Avoid long story-telling on frequency.

Anytime the approach becomes unstable (profile, speed, spacing) or a runway conflict exists. Execute promptly: power, attitude, positive climb, configure on schedule, make the go-around call, and re-enter the circuit safely.

A simulated engine trouble leading to a practice forced landing (glide to key points) or a simulated radio issue. I’m looking for Aviate–Navigate–Communicate, good lookout, and standard circuit logic to manage traffic.

  • Unsafe runway/circuit behaviour (poor lookout, wrong side/circuit direction, cutting inside traffic).

  • Unstable approach continued to touchdown.

  • Repeated height/heading/speed deviations with no recognition.

  • Confusing or incorrect radio that degrades safety.

Completion Form

Please complete the details below to certify that you have read all of the content of this section. If you have any further questions, please contact me on 0418 260 014 or email me at douglashth@gmail.com.

Thank you! Your submission has been sent successfully.