Principles of Flight
Lift and drag
Understand the four forces, the lift equation, and the meaning of the angle of attack and the critical angle. Know the lift curve and the stall. Know the types of drag: parasite, induced, and total, and the effect of speed on each. Know the meaning of L/D max and the speed for best glide.
Stability and control
Know static and dynamic stability, longitudinal, lateral, and directional stability, and the effect of CG on each. Know the meaning of the dihedral effect, the keel effect, and the effect of sweepback. Know the meaning of the stick fixed and stick free stability.
High-speed flight
Understand the critical Mach number, the Mach tuck, and the meaning of the swept wing. Know the meaning of the shock stall and the effect of the Mach trim.
Traps
Questions confuse induced drag with parasite drag, or the critical angle of attack with the stall speed. Another favourite: the effect of CG on stability and the meaning of the neutral point.
Worked example
L/D max occurs where induced drag equals parasite drag; for a typical light aircraft this is around best glide speed. If best glide is 70 kt at 1,000 kg, at 1,200 kg the speed increases by √(1.2) ≈ 1.095, so about 77 kt.
Communications
Radio telephony
Know the standard phraseology, the phonetic alphabet, and the meaning of the standard words (roger, wilco, affirm, negative, standby, say again). Know the structure of a call: station called, station calling, message. Know the meaning of the readability scale and the use of the word 'correction'.
Frequencies and procedures
Know the VHF and HF bands, the emergency frequency 121.5 MHz, and the meaning of the guard frequency. Know the procedures for a radio failure, the meaning of the transponder code 7600, and the light signals for a radio failure. Know the meaning of the SELCAL and the difference between a controlled and an uncontrolled aerodrome.
Traps
Questions confuse roger with wilco, or affirm with affirmative. Another favourite: the light signals for a radio failure and the meaning of a steady red or green light.
Worked example
A pilot receives a steady red light from the tower while airborne: give way to other aircraft and continue circling. A flashing red means land at this aerodrome and proceed to the apron. Know the full table of light signals for both ground and air.