Plan to delegate the common microlight pilot theory exam
News from 24 August 2021. Last updated on 11 October 2021: some information may have changed. Latest news
Information sheet, 23 August 2021
Objective
At the request of the FFPLUM, the DGAC has accepted the project to delegate organisation of the common microlight pilot theory exam to the French Microlight Federation.
The FFPLUM has a threefold objective:
- To be able to assess microlight pilots’ skills in an appropriate way.
- To make the exam easier to access (delays and proximity).
- To provide training support for member candidates (mock exam, teaching content).
The DSAC is gradually withdrawing from organising the exam and will concentrate on overseeing the delegation given to the FFPLUM.
The new exam
References:
- Order of 4 May 2000 on the syllabuses and examination arrangements for the microlight pilot certificate and licence.
- Order of xxx amending various provisions of the order of 4 May…
Reminder: the exam gives you a certificate that is essential in two cases:
- Issue of the microlight pilot certificate. The certificate of competence for the common microlight pilot theory exam is awarded if at least 75% of the multiple-choice answers are correct.
- Entry to microlight instructor training. The certificate of competence for the common microlight instructor theory exam is awarded if at least 90% of the multiple-choice answers are correct.
It is the same exam for all six microlight classes. The exam is a multiple-choice test taken on a computer. It has 60 questions and lasts 1 hour 30 minutes.
The subjects:
- Aircraft knowledge
- Meteorology
- Regulations
- Human performance
- Navigation
- Flight performance and planning
- ICAO aircraft operating procedures
Each year about 1 500 candidates register for the exam.
Example screenshots - multiple-choice exam taken within the FFPLUM:
Organisation
The DSAC is gradually withdrawing from organising the microlight theory exam.
The French Microlight Federation will be the delegated body for organising the exam. To that end, the DSAC will issue an approval on the terms set out in the annex of the second reference text. An agreement between the DSAC and the FFPLUM will specify how it will operate.
The president of the FFPLUM will be the accountable manager for the microlight theory delegation. The management of this delegation is covered by procedures and methods submitted to the DSAC in order to obtain approval.
The DSAC will carry out the oversight role over the delegated body.
The main players
The FFPLUM
The FFPLUM will organise the exam for all candidates, whether or not they are FFPLUM members. A Steering Committee made up of people from the DSAC and the FFPLUM will be responsible for managing the running of the delegation.
The exams will mainly take place in organisations affiliated to the FFPLUM (associations or companies). These organisations are called “FFPLUM exam centres”. Microlight instructors will be the supervisors in charge of invigilating the exam.
The DSAC
In 2021, the DSAC still has 12 exam centres in mainland France and 5 in the overseas départements.
To maintain good capacity for future candidates, a transition period will allow candidates to register either at DSAC centres or at FFPLUM exam centres, which will open progressively. The exam will be identical wherever it is taken.
The DSAC will stop organising the exam as soon as the FFPLUM has rolled out its organisation, probably in 2022.
The candidate
All candidates, whether or not they are FFPLUM members, register for either the “Pilot” exam or the “Instructor” exam.
Candidates create their account on the dedicated website (not yet open), where they can read the exam conditions and consult the list of centres, exam dates and available places. They register for the session of their choice at the centre of their choice. They pay the registration fee of €50 online, with the possibility of two attempts within 6 months. Their registration is then confirmed, and the exam centre receives an email for each registration.
On the day of the exam, the candidate is welcomed by an instructor (exam supervisor) who will open an exam session for them on a computer (provided by the exam centre). The candidate sits the exam under the set conditions. The result is given to the candidate as soon as the exam ends.
If the exam is passed, the certificate of competence is available immediately in the candidate's account created for registration.
If the exam result is not sufficient, the candidate can re-register for a session from their account free of charge if it is their second attempt.
FFPLUM exam centres
The exam centres will be organisations affiliated to the FFPLUM (associations or companies) that volunteer and meet the specification and the need for territorial coverage, so as to give candidates good access to centres.
The FFPLUM plans to roll out about 50 exam centres in mainland France and the overseas départements.
Each exam centre opens sessions on the dedicated website (not yet open) and sets the number of places, between 1 and 4 per session. It is informed of current registrations by an automatic email and can thus prepare to welcome candidates.
Candidates will be welcomed and the exams invigilated by microlight pilot instructors (supervisors).
The supervisors
The supervisors, who are microlight instructors, welcome candidates and invigilate the exam sessions (one supervisor per session). Supervisors are appointed by the head of the exam centre. An exam centre can have several supervisors, and a supervisor can be appointed to several exam centres.
The supervisor opens the exam sessions after checking identities. They invigilate the session. They note the candidates’ results. They write a session report for the FFPLUM.
The calendar
July 2021 The FFPLUM submitted its delegated body file and approval application to the DSAC.
Roadmap wanted by the FFPLUM, awaiting validation by the DSAC:
September 21 Publication of the Order amending the May 2000 order, with the date of application for implementing the new exam.
October 21 Approval of the FFPLUM. Exam sessions open in the first 12 centres.
November 21 The DSAC and the FFPLUM implement the new exam in accordance with the Order amending the May 2000 order.
November 21 More FFPLUM exam centres continue to open. The DSAC keeps its exam centres open for about 6 months to support the rollout of the FFPLUM centres.
