** CAMBRIAN AERO WALES**

VHF & HF Radio (RT) Telephony (FRTOL) Training Course
since 1997

 

TWO - DAY RADIO TELEPHONY COURSE(S)
(based at our South Wales FRTOL CAA Regional Test Centre)
covering Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, S. Glos & N. Bristol areas.

RT Licence.
With some prior preparation, you can in a one day (or two half days) 'brush up' session cover all the theory and practical requirements of the Flight Radio Telephony Operators Licence FRTOL (VHF & HF). After training is complete, the written and practical tests are conducted by our resident UK CAA-authorized examiner. The results will be known immediately.
Then we send your completed application form to the CAA, who issue the licence. Usually we limit the number of students in each of our RT classes to TWO at a time. This is because the practical test, when conducted, requires about 2 hours set aside for each candidate.
Details
The course, written examination papers and the practical test are conducted entirely in English. Therefore it is important for students to have a reasonable command of the English language.. If you are not certain about your level of English, we will help you find out quite easily!. Simply phone us, (or send for further details and Price lists) and we will tell you after one or two minutes of conversation if you are at a suitable level to take the standard course. Before attending a course you should first obtain a copy of the CAA publication CAP413. You can either buy a copy, or alternatively download a PDF-file from the internet - see our References section below.

CAP413 is the "bible" of radio telephony. It is a very good document and fairly straightforward to read. It also covers items that are unique to the UK. The UK test will make reference to these items, so it is relevant even if you intend flying in other parts of Europe. Make yourself familiar with this document before your arrival (but you do not need to remember every part of it!). It is our job to teach you the important parts, so that you will be a safe and efficient pilot whenever speaking to Air Traffic Control.

Assuming that you have a sufficient grasp of the English language and you are familiar with CAP413, then you should have no problem with the theory part of the course, which consists of the following:-

Day 1: Theory and Written Test
Evolution of controlled airspace and radio procedures. Definitions. Abbreviations. Call signs. RT protocol. Types of services available. Flight plans. Flight information service. Standard clearances, conditional clearances. LARS and MATZ (in the UK), Transponder usage. Emergency procedures. ATIS, Volmet. All students then take the written examination.
Discussion of the RT Practical test followed by individual practice using a format very similar to the one used in the actual exam.

Day 2: The Practical Test
The practical test takes about two-three hours, including debriefing. Only one student can be tested at a time, so the last student may have to be prepared to finish later in the day . You will then be issued with a certified CAA application form for the RTF licence, which we send to the address shown on the form. Finally, the licence will be mailed to you by the CAA.

COMMUNICATION REFERENCES

1. CAP 413 the Radio Telephony Manual, is available for download free of charge from www.caa.co.uk
2. Godwin P (Ed) (2004), Radiotelephony Air Pilot Publisher Ltd
3. Oxford (OAA) RT multimedia package about £80. One of the few CBL/ multimedia resources we have found really useful.
also available from our Pilot shop.

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can anyone attend the course?

A1. Well yes certainly - you don't actually need to be a pilot or have completed any pilot training, although this obviously helps. In such cases the THEORY will be covered in a separate ONE day course, and you must pass the written exam before starting or taking the practical part of the course. You may also require additional aviation phraseology practice. Please contact us for more details.

Q2. What if I fail the written communication examination paper?
A2. There are three different examination papers, so if you fail the first one, you can take another one, but we aim to avoid this happening. If you fail that, there is still one more chance. If that one is not successful, we have to refer you to the CAA, who will make special arrangements for yet another test, probably at Gatwick Airport.
Q3. Do students often fail the written test?
A3. It is quite unusual to fail the first test. It is even more unusual to fail the second one. In our examiner’s experience, no one has ever failed the third attempt, although it is possible that someone, somewhere, has done so.
Q4. What if I fail the practical test?
A4. This does not happen very often, provided the student or pilot has prepared properly, and understands the subject matter. There are three different tests that can be used, so the answer is basically the same as above.
Q5. What is the most common cause of failing the practical test?
A5. Probably not following the correct procedure with regard to the emergency situations or making proper reports. It must be realized that in an emergency, perhaps with an aircraft descending and on fire, there may be only one opportunity to transmit the radio call to get help. If this is not done correctly, in the real world, people may be at risk. In the test environment, it just means you have to do it again!

Q6. What is the cost of the course? Any conditions?
A6. The ONE or TWO day training courses need to be booked well in advance (See price list), but we aim to provide a confimed reservation for the practical or written tests within 7-10 days of contacting us.

All required books and pilot equipment are available from our Pilot shop at below RRP.Also, you can order yourself direct from Pooleys or AFE, and get an immediate 5% discount by quoting CAMBRIAN AERO on their order form!!

aeros cardiff or aeros cardiff aeros cardiff aeros cardiff ....

CORPORATE MEMBER & WINGS SCHEME PROVIDER

Cambrian Ground School is a member of the GTi (Aviation) Business Network