ATPL Performance (Australian CASA Pilot Theory Exams) case studies
ATPL Performance · Put your knowledge to work in context.
This page introduces an independent study resource for the ATPL Performance examination, one of the technical knowledge subjects that airline transport pilot candidates must master. Performance is a calculation-heavy discipline: it asks you to extract certified figures from aircraft flight manuals, apply corrections for mass, altitude, temperature, wind, runway slope, surface condition and contamination, and then decide whether the result is legal and safe. The ATPL Performance case studies are 5 cases and about 3,220 words.
1Wet Runway Contamination and the Take-off Decision
You are the commander of a twin-engine turbofan aircraft at a sea-level airport on a day with OAT 28 degrees C, QNH 1013 hPa, and a reported surface wind of 240/08 kt. The runway in use is 27, 2,400 m long, dry asphalt.
678 words, about 3 min2Second Segment Climb Gradient After Engine Failure
A four-engine turboprop is departing a mountain airport at 1,500 ft pressure altitude with OAT 20 degrees C. The aircraft mass is 29,000 kg, flap setting is take-off, and the landing gear is retracted after the first segment.
643 words, about 3 min3Cruise Altitude Selection with Increasing Headwind
A twin-jet is cruising at FL350 with a true airspeed of 450 kt and a fuel flow of 2,400 kg/h total. The forecast shows a headwind of 60 kt at FL350, 90 kt at FL370, and 120 kt at FL390.
618 words, about 3 min4Landing Distance on a Contaminated Runway with a Tailwind
A twin-turboprop is landing at an airport with a runway 09/27, 1,600 m long, dry asphalt, elevation 2,000 ft, QNH 1010 hPa, OAT 25 degrees C. The crew plans to land on runway 27 with a reported wind of 090/10 kt, giving a tailwind component.
633 words, about 3 min5Fuel Planning with a Reclearance and a Holding Requirement
A twin-jet is planning a flight of 2,200 nm from a departure airport to a destination airport. The planned cruise is at FL370 with a true airspeed of 460 kt and a headwind of 50 kt, giving a ground speed of 410 kt.
648 words, about 3 min