The Criteria is split into:-
- Experience: These are experiences gained by flying either as a pilot alone or with a flying buddy be that an instructor (CRI, FI) or, potentially, a more experienced pilot. These items can include aerobatic competitions, touring or anything else the pilot is particularly interested in developing experience in that typically does not require any formal training or additional recognised qualifications but may include instructional flights.
- Qualifications: These are generally formal flight training that results in the award of a rating or the acquisition of new skills and knowledge. These would generally be a mixture of classroom and flight training and may result in the addition of a rating to the licence or a sign-off in a logbook. The courses need not be formally recognised courses and can be bespoke courses for the individuals or groups of individuals.
- Training: This is focussed on ground based training rather than on skills maintained through flight training. There are two groups of training identified. Longer ground based training in items such as weather which would typically be formal paid for courses lasting half a day or longer and shorter courses such as safety evenings or online webinars. To maintain currency in items at least one of the courses must have been done in the 24months prior to application.
In many situations an “either / or” is presented. This is designed to recognise the different types of pilots and what motivates them. For example, somebody who is only interested in aerobatics may not be interested in long distance touring, so the scheme does not always require both to be achieved.
In some situations, there is recognition that one achievement maybe significantly greater than another. For example an IR is quite an achievement and potentially greater than achievement of a differences training on VP props and this is recognised with certain activities being awarded at a higher value.
All experience, qualifications and training are in addition to those gained on initial licence issue. So, for example, the airfields visited must be on top of those undertaken during the QXC. The criteria are laid down but should not be treated as dictate and can be flexed and updated to meet the needs of members. It is not intended to create an onerous application form but to review achievements with an instructor (CRI or FI) to gain approval and endorsement.
N.B. This list is not exhaustive. Where the applicant considers another course or event to meet the spirit of the scheme these can be considered.
Creation of the development plan
Newly qualified pilots are encouraged to discuss their plan with one of the scheme administrators. This will help ensure the plan is consistent with the spirit of the scheme and also enable the administrator to provide advice, coaching or identify tuition. More experienced pilots who may already be able to qualify for a higher award are encouraged to develop a plan to repeat some of the requirements rather than simply use evidence from many years ago and should try and show some activities from the experience category from within the last 2-3 years.