ATPL Performance (Australian CASA Pilot Theory Exams) study plan

Define the take-off distance segments (ground roll, airborne to 35 ft, and any screen/clearway corrections) and state which segment each chart value includes

Explain how density altitude, mass, wind, slope, runway condition and flap setting each move the take-off distance, and rank them by typical magnitude

Work through at least 15 take-off distance chart or table examples, interpolating for mass and pressure altitude, and record each answer with the correction factors applied

Derive the relationship between V1, VR and V2 and explain what limits each of the three speeds

Calculate balanced field length and identify the limiting case (V1 limited by field length, tyre speed, brake energy or climb) for a set of given scenarios

Solve take-off climb gradient limited mass problems using the second-segment requirement with one engine inoperative

Apply clearway and stopway definitions correctly to convert between TODA, TORA, ASDA and LDA

Complete a timed 20-question set on take-off performance and review every wrong answer to its root cause

State the required climb gradients for the take-off, en-route and approach climb segments for the relevant aircraft categories

Convert between climb gradient, climb rate and flight path angle at given ground speeds

Extract one-engine-inoperative climb performance from published charts and determine the maximum mass for a given obstacle height and distance

Explain how temperature, pressure altitude, mass, flap setting and bleed configuration affect climb performance

Compute en-route climb time, fuel burn and distance to top of climb using an average climb rate and average true airspeed

Explain the drift-down concept and determine a drift-down level for a given mass and terrain clearance requirement

Describe the relationship between thrust, drag and specific range in level flight, including the maximum-range and maximum-endurance conditions

Solve 10 cruise performance problems covering the effects of mass, altitude, temperature and wind on true airspeed and fuel flow

Use the specific range and the cruise chart values to select the most economical cruise level for a given mass, wind and temperature profile

Quantify the effect of a headwind or tailwind component on specific range and explain why the optimum altitude shifts with wind

Calculate the fuel penalty of cruising below the optimum level and of carrying extra contingency fuel

Explain the influence of centre of gravity position on cruise drag and fuel consumption

Define the landing distance segments and state the regulatory factor applied to the demonstrated landing distance

Correct landing distance for mass, pressure altitude, temperature, wind, slope and runway surface condition, including a contaminated runway case

Explain the approach speed increment rules for wind and gust and how they change landing distance

Solve 15 landing distance chart problems and identify the most limiting runway for a given destination forecast

Build a full fuel plan for a given route using taxi, trip, contingency, alternate, final reserve and additional fuel, and verify the total against the regulatory minimum

Compute the reduced contingency and additional fuel cases and state when each is permitted

Determine the point of no return and the equal-time point for a given route and wind profile

Explain how in-flight replanning and fuel jettison decisions are made when the destination becomes unavailable

Complete two full-length timed mock exams under exam conditions and score each above 80 percent

Review every incorrect answer from both mocks and classify it as knowledge gap, chart-reading error or arithmetic slip

Re-solve the ten weakest question types from the error log without notes

Recite from memory the key formulas for take-off, climb, cruise, landing and fuel calculations