Report on Examiners Workshop - 26th April 2009 - by Terry Lee

Photo 1) - The event organisers (left to right) Phil Davis - Northern area Achievement Scheme
Co-ordinator, Andy Symons - N/A BMFA & Pandas club member, and
Peter Spurway - BMFA Achievement Scheme Controller.
Photo 2) - The group of examiners observing a simulated test
Photo 3) - A helicopter simulating an 'A' test on a course laid out with cones

Photos by Terry Lee

A letter was sent by the BMFA Northern area to all club examiners in the area, inviting them to attend a 'fixed wing and helicopter workshop' at Dishforth Airfield on Sunday 26 April 2009.

The purpose was to allow Club examiners, Area Chief examiners and members, the opportunity to witness candidates practicing A, B, and C certificate manoeuvres, and then discuss each manoeuvre’s points and merits.

Four club members attended the meeting - Andy Symons (Co-organiser), Shaun Senior (Chairman), Carl Robinson (Club member) & Terry Lee (Club examiner), together with about twenty others from the area.

Sunday turned out bright, but quite windy, with a forecast of showers later.

After a welcome by the organisers, the format for the day was explained. Models would be flown (by 'experts') to simulate a test whilst being observed by the group. The pilot would introduce some faults intentionally (& some not), after which the group would discuss any faults they thought occurred, and whether he would have passed or not.

This proved interesting as examiners had quite different ideas as what would be a pass, and what not. I noticed that one or two examiners were very harsh in their decisions (I wouldn't fancy being tested by them). After all the comments had been aired, Peter Spurway summarised and we all came to agreements on the level of competency required. These simulated tests were repeated for
both fixed wing and helicopter 'A' and 'B' schedules.