Aerial Application Exam

[TSW]

Hi All

I'm studying for the AGRH (Helicopter) exam this thread has been a great help with what areas to study thanks. Was hoping to clear up a couple of things, I'm a little confused when to refer as a helicopter and when to forget about it as it has been said a lot of the exam will be based on fixed wing.

1) Hot Refueling - It has been stated that the exam is based on CAO 20.10.1 Hot refueling Turbine Aeroplane even though there is CAO 20.10 hot refueling Helicopters?
This makes no sense to me as the CAO's seem very clear?????

2) One of the questions Slapstick posted.
When spraying along contours, would you make your initial turn after a run at 45/60/90 degrees into or away from slope?

P 113 AAPM conducting an application (contours) says.
"The pull up and initial part of the procedure turn should be made TOWARDS the high ground if possible. In this way the aircraft will never be headed at a sharper angle than approx 45 deg towards it."

Same book different chapter

P178 AAPM Helicopter Operations.
"When executing a turn at the end of a contour run the initial turn should be at 45 deg AWAY from the slope followed by a reverse turn back towards the slope,"

As these answers directly contradict each other, in this scenario (for the exam) should i be thinking Fixed wing answer or Rotary?

Thanks in advance..

[Slapstick]

TSW there is a question in the exam from 20.10.1 relating to fuel drains and fuel quality program as mentioned in the CAO. That is the only reference from that order.

As for the second query you posted, I had the same problem. I answered it as a helicopter and got it wrong. I exchanged many an email with Gavin Seccombe from CASA (who writes the exams) asking for an explanation but didn't get much help (as expected).

Flip a coin, my friend.

[TSW]

Thanks Slapstick and others for all the advice got through it, previous posts definitely spot on.

3 Questions that require typing an answer in were a bit left field, couple of other areas were,

Advisable extent of aerial inspection around a treatment area?

Most important items during daily inspection of AG equipment?

Refuelling - Fire extinguisher requirements, use of radios whilst hot refuelling and exemptions from fuel drains?

Thanks again to all.

[avlis90]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the tips on the AA Exam. Can anyone shed any light on these questions below?

- You conduct a pre-flight and notice the fuel gauge reading empty but you dip the tanks and they are full. You only need a quarter tank for the job. What are your actions? I assume you can continue the flight unless company MEL suggests otherwise as regs don't list fuel gauge as a basic instrument requirement for VFR rotorcraft.

- When should you check external fuel tank vents for obstructions? I assume from Schedule 5 it would be during the daily inspection, but am I missing something..

Cheers

[Rotorpilot]

Legends. thanks for posting. this is gold advice and awesome to see the industry helping our fellow men.

keep it up.

[Dylan_haycraft]

hey im doing this exam soon. your information has been very handy. just wandering where i find an answer for exceeding g limits on an aircraft.

[Hindson]

Hi Guys,

Very helpful thread, thanks heaps.

Just wondering if there any updates as to what's on the exam, I'm sitting it this week.

Was there a definitive answer about the turning towards/away from a contour question?
..could it of been updated to suit a heli..on the heli exam? (as usual, bravo CASA on your consistent inconsistency)

Cheers

[Slapstick]

G'day Hindson,

I spoke to a fella who sat the exam about a month ago after I recommended this thread to him. He said all the info in this thread is still relevant and he passed it first crack.

Good luck!

[Gardiner]

The legislation has changed a lot. You will find most of the information required under Section 2.3 of part 61 MOS. You will find the legislative information under all the documents listed as permitted exam material for the AGRH exam on the CASA website. However check out Part 137 CASR as well. The MOS does mention RPT as does a previous comment in this thread and other people iv spoken to. This does have me pondering as RPT is now ATP as of the new amendments and repeals. Part 137.155 that use to answer that question is now repealed along with the CAO and CAR that coincided with it.

You will find all the other answers to the MOS in the AAAA 3rd addition pilot application manual (2011) but disregard any of the legislation mentioned in it apart from CAO 41.8 as its all out of date.

Could this be a trap? ill let you know in a couple of weeks. This thread could do with an update.

I annoyed a lot of people figuring this out so hopefully you don't have to.............

[Gardiner]

Ok, its a dick of an exam.

THINGS HAVE CHANGED SINCE THE BEGGINING OF THIS THREAD.

48.1 for fatigue. Good luck they ask questions from 5 and 5a. The questions do not give any clear indication of witch appendix to use. Unlike your opps manuel at work........ I appealed the 48.1 questions and the reply i got was "you should be able to interprite witch appendix from the question".

There are no aeroplane questions (apeal if you get one), all the AGRH questions are based on 138 WHEN IT APPLYS, OTHERWISE PART 91. Spend time studying 138 know it backwards in regards to all sections that are not EMS, OVERWATER or NIGHT OPPS.

The permitted material list on the CASA website is everything you need to pass. Exculding the AAAA application manual.

Read the whole manual, but know sections on risk assesment, AMP, MET, opps and heli opps, powerlines, human factors. With regards to human factors previous comments in this thread apply.

You can pay 130 and appeal your whole exam. It may be handy to find out exactly what you got wrong. I failed it first attemp by 1% passed it 2nd attempt by 2%. I know a lot of guys who have failed it. Pass rate on the CASA website for 2022 was 40 somthing %.

Nobody supplys practice questions or study material. So if your like me and not great with books use a higlighter and take notes.

The goverment legislation website is the best place to get sections of legislation. You can get everything and the print it however you select. Better than canprint.

[nunya]

Fellas,

Thought id update this thread and keep it going for everyone else out there, if you have any questions dont be afraid to reach out.

This thread was unreal. A lot of the same techniques and rules apply and a lot of the exam was common sense. I didnt have any fixed wing stuff in mine.
Passed first time round, wasnt too bad. Can confirm pretty much everything you need to know is in the Aerial Application Pilots Manual (3rd Edition).

Make sure to bring your law books, even if you're sure of the answer it doesnt hurt to go back through and double check if you have time at the end.
The ones i actually opened were the Part 91 MOS (mainly), Part 61 CASR (for training requirements) and Appendix 48.1 (appendix 5 for FDP'S).

Also had 4 questions on Flight and Duty, I only used appendix 5 for my answers and didnt have any dramas. The way they word these questions is quite sneaky so really take the time to calculate the number of hours and days / flight hours on duty and the limitations in any given period period i.e 7 days, 14 days, month, year etc. Read over each one thoroughly in the exam and pick the one that is most limiting. They ask everything in days so you gotta convert the hours by 24. They put a lot of s#!t in the questions to throw you off but really you only need one small part.

Best of luck,

Nunya

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Heres a couple that I remember, simplified from the way the questions are asked:

On ag duty 14 days straight, how much time do you need off before commencing duty again.

Duty sign on between 4-5am, how long you can work for with no breaks (i.e no split duty)

Questions on turbulent conditions around a range and clouds associated.

Passing a thunderstorm, whether you pass in front of the direction its travelling or behind it. (behind)

Types of fatigue if youve flown in hot weather all day with bad turbulence

Transit height between aerodrome and your work area.

Who is responsible for the daily inspection signature of the MR (PIC).

Whether you need a radio in class G airspace

Youre leaving an uncontrolled aerodrome, do you have to broadcast your intentions

Pilot responsibility, refuelling procedures, something about making sure fuel isnt contaminated

Best way to spray a paddock in regards to sun and wind, sun best at right angles to the pilot and spray on the furthest downwind side to avoid flying back through spray / contamination.

Spraying on Countours, start at bottom of hill and work your way up.

Once you are committed to flying under a powerline, dont look up at it just keep flying

If you are flying under a powerline the powerline should move up your bubble indicating that it is above you. If it stays in the same spot its too low.

Powerline makes a 90 degree turn, you should expect a guy wire supporting it.

Someone that is working in very hot conditions can need/ drink up to 8L of water a day. (This one threw me off, who the f#%k drinks 8 Litres? anyway)

Can you fly contra circuits at non controlled aerodrome. Below circuit height but not below 500ft?

Pilot responsibility for maintenance, what rules you need to follow to conduct pilot maintenance.

Where do you release left over fertiliser after completing application.

Know how to calculate Pressure Altitude and Density Altitude.

After completing aerial app how much supervision do you need, 100 hrs, 10 which is direct

How often do you need to complete a proficiency check (every yr)

Most important thing to check on daily inspection of ag equipment, emergency release