How do I become an FAA Testing Center?
Once you make application with LaserGrade, we
submit your name to the FAA in Oklahoma City. When the FAA gives your site initial
approval, you are ready to set up the computers in your testing room. We will then
schedule training and a proctor test for you. Once completed and passed, we will ask
the FAA for formal approval of your site as a testing center. Once received, you are
ready to begin testing.
If you are an authorized computer testing site with another company, it's even
easier. Just call us for details.
What equipment is needed?
Each FAA testing station must be
an IBM compatible computer with the fixed disk drive, modem, SVGA color monitor, keyboard
and mouse. The stations can share one inkjet printer for printing test results. See our
complete Testing Center Specifications for details.
What software is used?
LaserGrade software has been specially written for this purpose. It is owned by
LaserGrade Computer Testing, and we have the exclusive right to it, as required by
the FAA.
Am I able to do evening/weekend testing?
You are able to administer exams 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our LaserGrade
Central computer is on-line at all times, and can handle at least 500 registrations
per hour.
How much money do I earn for testing? How is it paid?
On each $90 FAA exam you earn $45 and LaserGrade earns $45.
Each testing center maintains an account with
LaserGrade. If the applicant pays us for the exam, we credit your account. If the
applicants pays you for the exam, we debit your account. At the end of each month, the
account is balanced, and we either send you your balance due, or charge you the balance
due us.
What is LaserGrade's Advertising Cost Share Program?
All public test sites that administer FAA exams are required to participate in our
advertising cost share program.
Sites will be charged $25 or $40 each month depending on test volume for that month.
Sites administering 20 or more tests will be charged $40, and those administering less
than 20 will be charged $25.
For the monthly fee, each site gets:
-
LaserGrade Internet Web
listing - your location, telephone number and scheduled hours are
listed. If you have your own web page, we also include a link to
your page.
-
Your company name, city,
state and telephone number listed in our space ads (In-Flight
every month, Flying, The AOPA Pilot and Flight Training every
other month, with a total circulation of about 1,000,000 magazines
every other month).
-
Brochure mailing to flight
instructors and flight schools in your area. In the last year, we
have sent over 50,000 brochures and letters to flight instructors,
flight schools, FAA offices etc.
-
Referrals from our central registration hotline.
Why do I need three testing stations?
The FAA requires that each testing center giving its tests must have at least
three computer testing stations.
Do I need a special phone line?
Each computer testing center uses a normal
telephone line, and calls our toll free telephone number. Each call (first to send us
registration information for each applicant and obtain the exam questions, then to send
the applicant's graded test to us) takes less than two minutes. You may also use
your internet connection to connect with LaserGrade.
How will I learn how to use the computer? How will the
applicant learn to use the software?
LaserGrade provides training for your center
on how to use the LaserGrade system. You'll quickly see how easy the software is to use.
The applicant need only press a key on the keyboard or click on the appropriate area with
the mouse, to select answers and questions. We have tested this system with people new to
computers to ensure it is simple to use.
How is the equipment maintained? Who maintains it?
Each testing station is a stand-alone unit. If
a computer becomes inoperative, the other two are still available to be used. This is
better than other systems, where if your file server goes down, your entire system is
inoperative.
What about electrical power outages?
LaserGrade Central has an uninterruptible
power supply to provide for electrical power outages. During an exam, your computer saves
the applicant's answer frequently. When power is restored, the applicant can continue from within
a minute of when power was lost.
How is exam information kept secure?
You enter your individual password number to
gain access to the on-site computer. The text for the questions and the applicant's
answers are encrypted on the fixed disk. When the applicant has completed the exam, the
test report is printed. At the end of the day, your computer calls our computer to send us
the applicant results. After the call, the files on your computer are written over and
erased.
Who provides the graphics, test results forms, and the seal
embosser?
All graphics, maps and figures are visible
on-screen. Additional test supplements, when needed, are purchased by the test site. Test
results forms and the seal embosser are issued without cost when you become FAA approved.
How do you handle updates or new exams?
Because the text of the questions remain in
our LaserGrade Central computer, test sponsors can make changes in the wording of
the questions on an as-needed basis. As new exams are introduced, the associated
graphics material is automatically downloaded to your computers by modem.
How do I get started?
Just call us today at 1-800-211-2753 to
get started. You can also start your
application process online by going to the Testing Center Application page.
Please call or e-mail Sandy Elford
(sandy.elford@lasergrade.com) if
you have any further questions.
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