Section 4 EO C307.04 – IDENTIFY THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR THE GLIDER AND POWER PILOT SCHOLARSHIPS

There are many learning resources available for prospective applicants. These are divided into two categories:

Distribute the handout located at Annex G.

INSTRUCTOR-LED RESOURCES

Many squadrons are able to provide an instructor who will deliver a ground school program, whether at their squadron or at another squadron. Normally this instructor will have an aviation background. The resources available for an instructor to use, include:

SELF-STUDY RESOURCES

Many of the air cadet squadrons in Canada are not located near a large centre and may be unable to provide an instructor for a ground school program. Many cadets from these squadrons must rely on Cadet Summer Training Centre (CSTC) opportunities as well as programmed squadron training in order to prepare for the qualifying exam. There are resources available for cadets to use, including:

Preparing for the qualifying exam can be daunting. Regardless of whether an instructor is available, it is absolutely necessary for the applicant to have a copy of the most recent edition of MacDonald, A. F., & Peppler, I. L., From the Ground Up, Aviation Publishers Co. Limited. This is the main reference from which the qualifying exam is created. The From the Ground Up workbook is also a useful tool.

There are three ways that a cadet can normally obtain a copy of the MacDonald, A. F., & Peppler, I. L., From the Ground Up, Aviation Publishers Co. Limited: • from RCSU through the squadron, • through a book store (eg, Chapters), and • direct from Aviation Publishers at www.aviationpublishers.com.

The application procedure for the Glider Pilot Scholarship (GPS) and the Power Pilot Scholarship (PPS) are the same. There are some differences in the minimum requirements, restrictions, and questions that will be asked during the exam and at the scholarship review boards.

Age. There is a minimum age for each course, based on Transport Canada licensing standards. The minimum age for the GPS is 16 years, while the minimum age of the PPS is 17 years. IAW Cadet Administration and Training Order (CATO) 54-20, Summer Training Directive – Royal Canadian Air Cadets, the cadet must specifically meet this requirement by September 1 of the course year.

Cadet Proficiency Level. Applicants must meet a minimum level of cadet proficiency level training to ensure that they have had the opportunity to develop life skills and elemental knowledge necessary for flight training. For GPS, cadets must have completed proficiency level three training by June 30 of the scholarship course year. For PPS, cadets must have completed proficiency level four training by June 30 of the scholarship course year.

Secondary Education. Applicants must meet a minimum level of secondary education to ensure the cadet will be able to handle the scholarship course material and workload. For GPS cadets must have completed the equivalent of Grade 9 or Secondary 3 in Quebec. For PPS, cadets must have completed the equivalent of Grade 10 or Secondary 4 in Quebec. This requirement must be met by the nomination deadline; normally this will be mid-January prior to the course.

The gliders used for the GPS have certain height and weight restrictions that must be met. A person’s size must be such that one can sit comfortably, reach the controls, and have full movement of the controls. Cadets who have been accepted for the GPS, but exceed these restrictions by the time they get to the Region Gliding School may be returned to unit.

Note that there are no height or weight restrictions for the PPS. The aircraft used for training on this course are larger and have a higher tolerance for weight.

Each applicant must submit a one-page narrative as part of their application package. This narrative must describe why the cadet would like to participate in the GPS or PPS. This is an opportunity for the cadet to communicate their reasons for applying. Particular attention should be given to spelling and grammar. The cadet must sign and date the narrative.

For national summer training courses there are two application forms which must be filled out. These are:

Each applicant for the GPS and PPS is required to write a qualifying examination on aviation subject material. The purpose of this exam is to assist in the selection of the most suitable candidates for each of the two scholarships. While the results of the exam do not encompass the entire selection process, cadets who score higher on the exam will have an increased chance of being selected.

The Director Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers (D Cdts & JCR) produces the qualifying exam every year. The exam will be invigilated and scored by each RCSU.

Cadets are responsible for attaining a Transport Canada Category 3 Aviation Medical Certification. This is to be done at no expense to the public. A photocopy of the Medical Certificate (commonly referred to as a Licence Validation Certificate or LVC) should be attached to the DND 2226 or CAD NO 115. A photocopy of the LVC must be forwarded to the Region Cadet Air Operations Officer (RCA Ops O) no later than June 1 of the year of application. Failure to do this may result in a forfeiture of the scholarship.

There are three categories of aviation medical certificates available. The Category 3 is the only one required. A Category 1 medical is only required for holders of a Commercial Pilot’s Licence. Category 1 medicals must be renewed annually, while a Category 3 medical is renewed every five years. Ensure that cadets only attain the Category 3 medical as there is no immediate benefit in attaining a Category 1 medical.

Distribute the completed copy of Annex H and review. Ensure the information is accurate.

Once all applications have been received by the Air Cadet League of Canada (ACLC) Provincial Committee, each cadet’s file will be scored. Once all applications have been scored, including the narrative and the qualifying exam, the ACLC Provincial Committee will then convene a scholarship assessment committee.

The assessment committee will conduct interviews. Members of the committee may vary but usually include one member of the ACLC, one member of the RCSU, and one member from a third party. The applicant will be asked questions based on general cadet knowledge, aviation-specific knowledge, and current events. The cadet will be scored based on the answers given. This score will then be added to the overall assessment score.

The actual format of the interviews has varied over the years, ranging from formal affairs to informal sessions. Variations may also occur between ACLC Provincial Committees. Ensure that cadets are given the most recent information on the format used by the respective ACLC Provincial Committee.

Distribute the handout located at Annex I if a package is not available from the ACLC Provincial Committee.

The qualifying exam is to be written by all prospective applicants for the GPS and PPS. Guidelines for the qualifying exam can be found in CATO 54-20, Summer Training Directive – Royal Canadian Air Cadets, CATO 54-26, Glider Pilot Scholarship Program, and CATO 54-27, Power Pilot Scholarship Program. There is a quota for each squadron for the number of applicants that may write the qualifying exam.

Format

The qualifying exam is a multiple choice exam. Each question has four possible answers. There is only one correct answer per question.

Cadets will have two hours to complete the exam without assistance. There are a total of 50 questions on the exam. The first 40 questions are for all applicants to complete. These questions are based on subject areas such as principles of flight, meteorology, and navigation. Once complete, the applicants for the GPS are finished. Applicants for the PPS will remain and complete the last 10 questions, which are based primarily on the subject of aero engines.

A study guide for the exam can be found at CATO 54-26, Glider Pilot Scholarship Program Annex A for GPS applicants, or CATO 54-27, Power Pilot Scholarship Program Annex A for PPS applicants.

Pass Mark

The minimum pass mark for the qualifying exam is 50 percent. However, simply passing the exam will not ensure a successful application. The higher a cadet scores, the higher the overall assessment score will be on the application.

Preparation

Distribute the handout located at Annex J and review.

Preparation for the qualifying exam will vary depending on the individual. Regardless of whether an organized ground school program is available, there is a certain amount of self-study that will be necessary. A major factor in preparation for this exam may be the timing. While it is the responsibility of each RCSU to set the dates for the exam, it must be written prior to the application deadline. This normally means that the exam is scheduled in mid-January; shortly after the Christmas break and for many students this is at the same time as semester exams.

Studying MacDonald, A. F., & Peppler, I.L., From the Ground Up, Aviation Publishers Co. Limited, is the best method of preparation available to all applicants. In particular, the questions in the back of the text are very useful. The complementary workbook is also useful for studying.

Many squadrons with established ground school programs will have practice exams that are available to cadets. Depending on the resources available (reference TP 1), practice questions may be reproduced for use by the cadets. Practice exams are also available online from RCSU (Pacific) and RCSU (Atlantic).

It is recommended that cadets who are preparing for the qualifying exam be given CATO 54-26, Glider Pilot Scholarship Program Annex A or CATO 54-27, Power Pilot Scholarship Program Annex A depending on the scholarship course for which they are applying. The cadet will be able to use this as a study guide.