GCAA ATPL Theory case studies
GCAA ATPL Theory · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Airline Transport Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) is the highest level of pilot licensing, and the GCAA ATPL theoretical knowledge examination is the ground-school hurdle candidates in the UAE must clear before they can hold that licence. It is aimed at experienced commercial pilots progressing to command, and at cadets on an integrated or modular pathway who are working through the ATPL syllabus. The examination is made up of multiple-choice papers spanning the twelve subject areas of the ATPL ground syllabus, from air law and meteorology through performance, flight planning, navigation and principles of flight. Each paper rewards precise, applied knowledge rather than broad recall: expect calculations, interpretation of data and scenario-based reasoning. The GCAA ATPL Theory case studies are 5 cases and about 1,614 words.
1Holding fuel vs. alternate at destination
You are planning a twin-turboprop IFR flight, departure mass 5,600 kg, MTOM 5,700 kg. Trip fuel to destination is 620 kg, taxi-out 15 kg, taxi-in 12 kg.
411 words, about 2 min2Asymmetric climb gradient after engine failure
A light twin (MTOM 2,000 kg) departs a 1,400 m asphalt runway, dry, at sea level, OAT +30 °C, QNH 1013. Obstacle departure procedure requires a net climb gradient of 4.8% to 1,200 ft.
284 words, about 1 min3Static pressure blockage in climb
During climb in IMC at FL180, the pilot notices the altimeter has stopped winding, the VSI reads zero, and the airspeed indicator is reading 15 kt higher than the flight director command speed, while the standby altimeter (separate static source) continues to climb normally. The aircraft is in a 3° pitch-up attitude, autopilot in ALT hold.
287 words, about 1 min4Crosswind landing on a contaminated runway
Aircraft mass 62,000 kg. Dry runway landing distance (factored) 1,700 m; runway available 2,400 m, with 1,100 m of it covered in 5 mm standing water.
314 words, about 2 min5Fuel temperature and tankering in the stratosphere
A jet is cruising at FL370, SAT −56 °C, TAT −26 °C. The fuel in the wing tanks has been at −38 °C for two hours.
318 words, about 2 min