This module is designed to cover the syllabus required to pass the CAA flight training theoretical topics covering Aircraft General Knowledge - Airframe, Systems and Powerplant, General Navigation and Human Performance. These topics are considered to be the core subjects for flight operations and the content is designed and approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The assessment is conducted by BCFT and replicates the format and structure of the Theoretical Knowledge assessment of the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
All the teaching is delivered by specialist ground school instructors, the majority of whom have many years' experience both with the teaching of this material but also in its practical application either in military or civil aviation. The majority of the teaching will be classroom based with specialist training aids used where appropriate. Use of flight simulators will be made if possible where it is considered that this will add value to the learning experience.
In conjunction with the theoretical training, students will also completing practical training in real aircraft involving instructor led flying. Whilst the practical flying is not formally part of the module, the principles learnt in the classroom will be reinforced in a live flight training environment which will aid students understanding and knowledge.
The use of model aircraft is used to explain the concept of basic aircraft operating principles and equipment such as magnetic compasses is used to explain the principles of magnetic-gyro based navigation methods.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 88 two hour lectures 37 two hour tutorials | 176 74 |
| Independent study | 50 | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Summative assessment is made up entirely of three multiple-choice examination topics as follows:
These topics are taught so that students fulfil the requirements of EASA for the issuance of an, industry recognised, ATPL licence. Upon completion of all the topics listed above, students would normally sit individual, online, multiple-choice examinations for each of the topics externally at a CAA approved assessment centre. For the purposes of this module any external CAA assessment is not recognised by the University and as such University regulations do not apply to those assessments.
To ensure that students have achieved the University learning outcomes of this module, the module teaching team at BCFT internally generate, paper-based, multiple-choice examination papers. These examination papers are designed to replicate the exact structure, format, duration and rigour of the multiple-choice examination assessment conducted externally by the UK CAA. Parity of the KU assessment with those of the CAA is to ensure that students are not over assessed and to ensure that effective summative assessment of the learning outcomes is enabled. Internally generated examination papers by the BCFT teaching team also enable transparency of the assessment so as to fulfil the important function of quality assurance and oversight.
The three multiple-choice examination papers are sat following completion of the teaching of the complete module content. The delivery of the module content takes approximately 9 weeks. Throughout the 9 weeks, students are prepared for the summative assessment through a series of formative computer-based training resources and practice examination papers. This enables both the students and the teaching team to monitor progress and provide additional ongoing support as required. Further remedial training is provided to those students who have failed the summative assessment at the first attempt.
External multiple-choice examinations conducted by the UK CAA require a mark of 75% or more to be recognised as a pass. The three, internally generated, multiple choice question papers are each marked in line with the CAA, however the pass mark of 75% is not in line with the University's undergraduate module pass mark of 40%. As a result a conversion table and function is used to determine the students KU module mark. The conversion has been formulated to correspond to the University's Academic Guidance Document 7 - University Grade Criteria at Level 5. The conversion table and the associated conversion formula is as follows:
| CAA Exam Mark | Equivalent Kingston University Assessment Mark |
KU Letter Grade |
| 90 | 85 | A+ |
| 83 | 75 | A |
| 80 | 70 | A- |
| 78 | 67 | B+ |
| 75 | 63 | B |
| 73 | 60 | B- |
| 71 | 57 | C+ |
| 69 | 53 | C |
| 67 | 50 | C- |
| 65 | 47 | D+ |
| 62 | 43 | D |
| 60 | 40 | D- |
| 57 | 35 | F5 |
The summative assessment outlined above is aligned to closely match the University's Undergraduate Academic Regulations and is intended to operate as follows:
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| Assess the physical loads that are applied to aircraft structures in flight and describe the regulations, methods and materials that are used in the design and manufacture of commercial aircraft. | Multiple Choice Examination |
| Identify the requirements, functions, operating principles and components of a typical piston engine and gas turbine power plants used in aircraft. | Multiple Choice Examination |
| Identify the requirements, functions, operating principles and components of typical aircraft systems used in commercial aircraft. | Multiple Choice Examination |
| Understand the relationship between Earth's magnetic field and traditional navigation techniques. | Multiple Choice Examination |
| Understand the theory behind and apply the application of modern navigation techniques. | Multiple Choice Examination |
| Determine how the various stages of flight influence the human circulatory, respiratory and sensory system. | Multiple Choice Examination |
| Identify the basic psychological issues relating to manual and automated multi crew operations including decision making, risk assessment and errors, stress, behaviour and individual personalities. | Multiple Choice Examination |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Written Exam | Three Multiple Choice Examinations | 100% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS a requirement that the element of assessment is passed in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.