Hi Again Simmo
*wall of text alert*
No, believe it or not it's actually a correct answer to a multiple choice question (or at least it was at that point, with my training provider) but it's not the only inconsistency in the examinations I've seen. I think it just comes down to the fact that the field is so new and is evolving so quickly that it's difficult at this point to keep up with the changes even for the training providers themselves. Procedures around non controlled aerodromes are a good point, as of 1st 1/4 2018 there were procedures in place as law, then C.A.S.A. scrapped them and placed it all under the "shall not operate in such a way as to endanger aircraft, persons or property" clause there by putting the onus back onto the operator and creating a whole grey area if it does end up in tears. A lot or people who certified before that are still not aware of the change (I still follow the old guidelines anyway as they are safer).
Not being an aviation professional (unless I am considered that now with an RePL and a business? I honestly couldn't say) although I've had many many years of R/C modeling I was certainly in no position to argue with what I was being taught. I just learned what the supplied course notes and one on one training said and it got me a 100% pass so I was happy.
The fact that each training providers produces their own examinations under a ReOC approved by C.A.S.A. can only introduce more scope for inconsistencies. It's a flow on, Have C.A.S.A. changed the approved training framework for proividers to match the new legislation? If so has the training provider checked recently and then changed their examination format to match and had it approved/varied in their training syllabus (that's my understanding of how it works) .. etc on down the line. I suppose that it's possible that some training providers update at a slower rate than others but then again as your work book and exams are forwarded on to C.A.S.A. on course completion that seems unlikely. As I am not a training provider and I get the impression you may be you'd know better than I.
Let's just say my ReOC manuals and proceedures make it very clear "Ari Laver will NOT be operating as a training provider" lol
The AROC was even worse, My first trade was as a Communication Tech and I've held an advanced class amateur ticket for decades and a marine operators certificate of proficiency since the days when you needed C.W. (Morse Code for the rest of you reading lol) at 30WPM, yes that dates me. I ended up as a director for the Wireless Institute of Australia for a while and took part in work with and submissions for the International Telecommunication Commission as it was then so I'm really well across that subject and the number of things taught in the syllabus that are a deviation from the international conventions, not strictly correct or just plain wrong surprised me greatly. The training provider was very open to the feedback and took note of my input to pass on to future trainees but if that's how things are done in Australian Aviation of course the examination answers that get you a pass will be the ones they teach not the ones that are technically correct .... so what do you do? You learn the answers required if you want the certification but keep the reality in the back of your mind.
As I said before, new industry so it's bound to be a little nebulous. As long as there's someone (such as your self) to point out something others have missed and as long as operators understand the licence is a long term commitment to keeping up with the changes eventually it'll have to solidify.
Compared to Canada and the U.K. we have an excellent system already in place so I'm not going to complain.
Regards
Ari
