Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence

The Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence (FRTOL) authorises you to operate an Aircraft Radio Station in a UK registered aircraft. The FRTOL is a national licence that can be issued as a stand-alone licence but is normally held in conjunction with another Flight Crew licence.

• The FRTOL practical test can be arranged at Gloucestershire.

• Training can be tailored around you, your experience and your requirements.

• One-to-one training and practice is available should you require.

Candia Blenkiron  - Is a FRTOL examiner based at Heliflight UK at Gloucester Airport and is CAA approved to carry out the FRTOL practical examinations. Candia may also conduct  RT training to complete the SRG1171. Candia is a flight Instructor with over 20 years teaching experience. Currently teaching PPL ab-initio training through to CPL modular courses. The FRTOL Practical Test All candidates for the FRTOL will be assessed in accordance with the standard phraseology contained within the latest edition of the CAA Radiotelephony Manual CAP 413 and the test is based on VFR comms only. Prior to booking the practical test • Make sure you have thoroughly read and understood the UK CAA’s CAP2325 • Completed and signed SRG1171 form* • Have evidence of having passed the Communications theoretical knowledge examination. * If you are not attending a recognised course of pilot training (e.g. glider pilots, or those who wish to apply for a standalone FRTOL without holder or training for a flight crew licence) you may self-certify.

Test day format Candidates should allow approximately 3 hours the FRTOL practical test, typically: Arrival and Document Checking – 10 minutes; Initial Briefing – 10 minutes; Route and Test Brief – 15 minutes; Candidate Planning – 20 minutes; The Practical Test – up to 60 minutes; Scenario-Based Questions – up to 15 minutes; Results and Debriefing – 5 minutes; CAA Hot Topic Presentation – 5 minutes; Post-Assessment Administration – 10 minutes.

 Prior to commencing the FRTOL Practical Test candidates will need to produce the following items to the examiner:

1. Personal photo identification (e.g. passport or photo driving licence);

2. Completed and signed form SRG1171;

3. Evidence of Communication theory examination pass by reference to eExams or Section 3 of form CAA5016;

4. Previous FRTOL Practical Test failure form SRG2129 and SRG1171, the latter is required if training is recommended or mandated after a previous test failure.

For the test, the examiner provides

1. A Route Brief containing a completed lateral and vertical flight plan of the test route (including departure, destination, alternate, tracks, headings, altitudes etc. Whilst this is not a test of navigation, knowledge of CAA aeronautical chart symbology is required);

2. The Standard CAA Candidate Brief (CAP 2325 Appendix B);

3. Frequency Reference Card (Current AIRAC);

4. RTF Aide Memoire (CAP 2325 Appendix A);

For the test Candidate provides

1. A current edition CAA VFR 1:500,000 aeronautical chart as agreed with the examiner

2. Chart pens and rule;

3. Notepaper and pen.

Initial Briefing

The format of the assessment is as follow:

1. The examiner delivers the standard CAA Candidate Brief;

2. The examiner informs the candidate of the CAA Appeal Process (Regulation 6 Civil Aviation Authority Regulations 1991)

3. The examiner then discloses the test route to be undertaken and the candidate is then given a short period of time (approximately 5 minutes) to plot the test route on the CAA VFR 1:500,000 aeronautical chart in readiness for the route and test brief;

Route and Test Brief:

The examiner then briefs the candidate on the following items:

1. The content of the standard Route Brief * ;

2. How emergencies will be initiated and cancelled;

3. The Frequency Reference Card to be used;

4. The RTF Aide Memoire;

5. How to use the testing platform **;

6. Any other required information.

*Candia has produced six varied Route Briefs for use with the FRTOL Practical test, all are wholly located in the Southern England & Wales (1:500,000 scale) chart coverage area.

**Candia uses the Zoom platform, which incorporates the Press-To-Talk (PTT) function, with audio recording and storage facilities. The candidate will be provided with a headset.

At this point the candidate may ask questions and the examiner will confirm the candidate’s understanding of the brief.

Candidate Planning

Once the examiner has completed the briefings the candidate is then allocated a further 20 minutes planning time. Any notes made by the candidate during this planning time may be used during the practical test.

The Practical Test

The practical element of the test consists of a VFR ‘flight’ with a minimum of one turning point and includes the mandatory assessment items identified in FRTOL Practical Test report form SRG2160. In addition to the mandatory items, the test includes a selection of optional assessment items from the SRG 2160 test report form.

The candidate may choose a standard UK aircraft registration to use as their call sign and nominate a suitable aircraft type which will be agreed prior to commencement of the test.

The candidate plays the role of a pilot who holds a flight crew licence, flying solo in a fully serviceable aircraft – with basic standard instruments, VHF aeronautical radio and transponder with altitude reporting. The candidate and the examiner will be situated in separate rooms.

The Practical Test will be conducted at the candidate’s own pace but should not exceed the maximum flight plan time of approximately one hour. The FRTOL Examiner may choose to intervene if required to ensure all elements of the test are completed within the required time.

Scenario Based Questions

Once the simulated ‘flight’ element of the test is complete, there will be an opportunity for the examiner to probe the candidate’s understanding of CAP 413, the phraseology used during the test route, or for elements unable to be assessed due to the aircraft category used by the candidate.

Results and Debriefing

Following the practical test, whether pass or fail, the examiner will debrief the candidate. If a fail is awarded, the reasons for failure will be clearly explained. The examiner will then provide appropriate advice and guidance to assist the applicant in any future attempt.

CAA Hot Topic Presentation

Candidates who successfully pass the FRTOL Practical Test will receive a short CAA ‘Hot Topic’ presentation from the examiner. The aim of this presentation is to highlight and promulgate a current safety related ‘Hot Topic’. The hot topic typically lasts no more than 5 minutes.

Audio Recordings

Your FRTOl practical test will be recorded and retained in accordance with the CAA regulations. Candidates must be informed in advance that the examination will be recorded for regulatory auditing purposes. At the beginning of each recording, FRTOL Examiners must state the date, time, candidate’s name, and reference number (if available).