[UK-CONTEST] UK/US licensing (Off Topic)

[Dave Sergeant]

On 23 Aug 2009 at 8:41, Andrew wrote:

> I agree, so why are all three exams (and practical) not normally
> available at _every_ exam session instead of just at the HFC/Convention?
>   Not everyone has the time or inclination (maybe due to distance) to go
> to HFC to have the opportunity to sit all three exams at once.  If
> people with the ability could do all three exams in one session, why
> make them come back repeatedly for what they might consider trivial
> exams.  I understand you want operating experience, practical experience
> etc, but overseas amateurs who want a UK licence, according to Ed, only
> need to sit the exams.  How do we know _they_ have any operating or
> practical experience?

I wasn't going to get involved in this discussion.....

At our club we do sometimes run Foundation and Intermediate exams at 
the same time. It is relatively easy to do at the end of a Foundation 
course if the Intermediate candidates have already done their 
practicals (either with us or another club) but still requires some 
logistics - eg each exam needs seperate invigilators and markers and 
because the exams are different lengths the Foundation candidates leave 
first. We have not done any Full exams yet, but they are different 
again in that the papers are sent away to be marked.

The problem with most clubs is lack of resources, ie bods to do the 
training (seperate from the adjudication team) and other commitments. 
The fact that the system does work as well as it does is proof that it 
is the right way. Those who are keen, and overseas amateurs going 
through the process, have no problem with it. There are also many who 
do the Foundation and then we never hear of again, fact of life I am 
afraid. There are also quite a few who go to town once they get their 
licence. It works, don't change it...

73 Dave G3YMC

http://www.davesergeant.com