When an exam is requested by an examinee, it is automatically assigned to an examiner within the respective Division. This process takes into account both the examiners’ ratings and their workload, ensuring that the exam is assigned only to appropriately rated examiners who have a low number of exams already in their queue.
Divisional TCs and TACs are eligible and authorized to reassign these exams within their Division in accordance with divisional regulations.
In the event that the Division does not have a suitably rated examiner available, the HQ Training Department, through its Mentors/Senior Training Advisors (SRTAs), may manage and conduct the exam.
Once a member becomes part of the training staff as a Training Advisor, Training Coordinator, Training Assistant Coordinator, or as a member of the Divisional HQ, they automatically acquire the IVAO Trainer status and the IVAO Examiner status. These statuses grant them the authority to conduct training sessions and exams, and provide the necessary access to Training Department platforms and materials. Without the IVAO Trainer or Examiner status, a member is not permitted to carry out training or exams on IVAO.
To ensure the highest quality of IVAO examiners, the HQ Training Department introduced the Approved Examiner status, which is part of the overall examiner status. This status guarantees that the examiner has established experience in practical exams and allows them to conduct exams independently, under their own responsibility, without requiring supervision. The status is represented by a badge.
The badge indicates that the examiner is eligible to conduct exams independently, without supervision, unless supervision is required (e.g., staff exams). It will be removed if the examiner has not conducted at least two exams within 12 months of receiving it or if they lose their Examiner Status. The original assignment date of the Approved Examiner badge will remain in the Staff comments field.
Without it (regardless of any staff comments in the member’s profile), an examiner is not allowed to supervise, observe, or conduct any practical exam alone. In such cases, the exams cannot be validated and must be redone in the presence of an approved examiner.
The examiner is rated at least:
- ADC and PP when the examiner is a TC, TAC, DIR, or ADIR;
- ADC or PP when the examiner is a TA.
The examiner must conduct a minimum of three exams under the supervision of an approved examiner, who must be listed as co-examiner on the respective exam page:
The approved examiner will be recommended by the Division and entered as co-examiner on the respective exam page;
The Division Mentor can approve or deny the recommended approved examiner;
The Division Mentor is authorized to assign an approved examiner for a given exam.
After reviewing the minimum three supervised exams, the Division Mentor will either:
Request additional supervised exams if they judge that the examiner has not yet achieved sufficient autonomy;
Recommend the badge to the TD/TAD.
The examiner is not expected to request the badge themselves but may consult the Division Mentor for guidance on improving their skills to qualify for the badge. The assessment of the examiner’s level of skill and autonomy is the sole responsibility of the Division Mentor.
Once recommended by the Division Mentor, the TD/TAD will assign the Approved Examiner badge and record a remark in the member’s profile.
The member currently holds the IVAO Examiner status.
The examiner has conducted at least one exam under the supervision of an approved examiner:
- The Division Mentor must be contacted to initiate reactivation;
- The Division Mentor may assign an approved examiner for this purpose.
The Division Mentor is solely responsible for assessing the examiner’s skill level and autonomy and will contact the TD/TAD to reassign the badge.
As stated above, a new and unapproved examiner must conduct their exams with a co-examiner who must be an approved examiner. These exams are considered exams under supervision, where the approved examiner guides and supports the unapproved examiner to ensure proper understanding of IVAO exam procedures. Divisions with a large number of approved examiners willing to supervise new training staff should coordinate with the Division Mentor through the Division TC/TAC.
The co-examiner (also called observer) is a fully qualified examiner who participates in the entire evaluation process, including conducting the exam and preparing the exam report.
- For normal exams conducted by a non-approved examiner, a co-examiner must be present and approved.
- For staff exams, two examiners are always required. The co-examiner must be an approved examiner and their presence must be validated by the Division Mentor with a staff approval number.
It is common to have two examiners present during an exam. In such cases, both examiners share responsibility for ensuring that proper procedures are followed.
If a disagreement arises between two approved examiners, the Division Mentor will make the final decision.
1. Exam of a normal user by an approved examiner
- Examiner can carry out the exam alone.
2. Exam of a normal user by a non-approved examiner
- The exam must be conducted by the non-approved examiner together with an approved examiner supervising the process.
3. Exam of a staff member of any division (by an approved or non-approved examiner)
- Two examiners are always required.
- At least the co-examiner must be an approved examiner.
- A staff approval number is mandatory.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact your Division mentor.