Considering EASA Part 147 Practical Assessors - Examiners Responsibilities

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com looks at the typical duties of EASA Part 147 Practical Assessors - Examiners.

Introduction - Examiners are responsible to the Training Manager for:

>> Ensuring that procedures established in this Maintenance Training Organisation Exposition MTOE 1 and Training Procedures are fully complied with.
>> The security of the examination question databank, or examination papers when under his/her control.
>> The selection of the examination questions/papers appropriate to the phase of the training course being examined in accordance with the Training Procedures. Phase examination questions will reflect the course syllabus material, level of instruction and learning objectives.

>> The examination schedule, subjects to be examined and the required number of exam questions per ATA Chapter are detailed in the course syllabus. Examiners are responsible for preparing the necessary phase examination based on the course syllabus.
>> The number of questions per subject is selected based on the instructional time and the learning objectives.
>> As general guidance, one question per instructional hour is required for level 3 subjects, if the subject teaching time is less than an hour, then one question per subject should be the minimum. 
>> When subjects are to level 2 or 1, then the learning objectives and subject relevance should be taken into consideration.

Note: The TNA and consequently the course syllabus specify the number of questions per subject.

Distance Learning Practical Training

The use of DSL is currently allowed for the practical elements of the type of training only.

(Distance learning synchronously reflects training situations in which instructors and students are physically separated. The teacher and the students interact at the same time (real-time)

In accordance with Annex IV of AMC 147.A.130(a) Table 3 of ED decision 2020/002, practical training using synchronous DSL has limited suitability and requires complementary methods to fulfil the learning objectives.

Therefore, the following limitations are required:

>> The number of practical tasks taught using DSL cannot exceed 50 % of the total number of practical tasks performed during the practical training.
>> At least 50% of the practical tasks will be performed in an actual aircraft environment with both students and practical instructors present at the same location.
>> This allows the students to be exposed to real aircraft in order to appreciate actual aircraft dimensions, components/access panel locations, etc.
>> When several engine options are included in the same practical training, practical tasks on actual aircraft have to be included for each of these engine options
>> Practical training using DSL has to be limited to suitable tasks which can be effectively taught in a virtual environment

Suitable tasks are practical tasks which:

- Include tests/inspections performed at a limited number of aircraft locations
- and/or include a limited number of maintenance steps
- and/or can be easily explained/replicated in a virtual environment
- and/or can be practised by the students on a virtual aircraft

Virtual classroom training tool is the main training platform to present AMM, pictures, videos etc... However, live videos with an instructor being present on a real aircraft are not allowed due to the low quality of information received by the students compared to the other training tools (videos, virtual reality etc..). A combination of training tools is required to fulfil the learning objectives.

Although it is acceptable to teach practical tasks in a virtual classroom environment when the suitability is demonstrated, the choice of a virtual aircraft training tool which allows tasks simulated practice should be privileged.

During the DSL practical training session, it is necessary to:

- Clearly identify and introduce the task selected from the practical logbook
- Use the AMM procedure (and other relevant documents) as the reference document
- Safety procedure has to be clearly highlighted.

Hardware requirement - Same as the theoretical part

Software requirement - Same as the theoretical part

Number of students

>> 147.A.100(f) requires that the number of students undergoing practical training cannot exceed 15 students.
>> When using DSL this maximum number has to be adjusted as the interactivity with students is more limited than in actual practical training. It is recommended not to exceed 10 students.

Daily training time - Same as the theoretical part

Practical logbook

Prior to being approved by EASA for DSL practical training, the training organisation is required to prepare and submit a practical logbook with a suitability analysis for each task.

This should clearly indicate which tasks are taught using DSL or in a real aircraft environment, as well as any associated training tools (pre-recorded videos, virtual aircraft, pictures, AMM etc.).

Practical tasks performed during DSL will have to be recorded by the instructors in the students’ practical logbook after ensuring students have correctly understood the task.

Note: Practical training delivered by a C/S acting as an instructor/assessor present on the aircraft with the students and guided by a practical instructor/assessor located at the training organisation is not considered a DSL training (e.g. in case of use of a C/S from the customer organisation).

The C/S present on the aircraft has to be suitably authorised by the maintenance organisation on the aircraft type to be taught. In addition, he has to be trained, assessed and authorised as a practical instructor/assessor for the duration of the practical training by the training organisation.

This procedure has to be detailed in MTOE as part of the off-site training procedure. In case of a one-time use of such procedure, the training organisation has to submit a concession request for a time-limited approval of this procedure identifying designated C/S.

The C/S remains responsible for ensuring the appropriate delivery of the practical elements of type training on-site and the associated assessments, based on the directives of the training organisation instructor. The practical logbook is filled either by the C/S present at the aircraft or the practical instructor at the training organisation.

Practical Assessment

Practical assessment is not allowed using the DSL training method and has to be performed when the practical training is completed with both instructors and students present in a real aircraft environment. Assessment performed in an actual aircraft environment can cover both practical tasks taught using DSL and the ones taught in actual aircraft.

Next Steps

Sofema Aviation Services www.sassofia.com and Sofema Online www.sofemaonline.com provide Classroom, Webinar, and Online training related to regulatory compliance with EASA Part 147 & EASA Part 66. For additional details please visit our websites or email team@sassofia.com