BDCA CPL Knowledge Exam case studies

BDCA CPL Knowledge Exam · Put your knowledge to work in context.

The BDCA Commercial Pilot Licence Knowledge Examination is the theoretical gateway for pilots seeking to hold a commercial pilot licence under the civil aviation authority that the BDCA represents. It is aimed at candidates who already hold, or are completing, a private pilot licence and are moving toward flying for remuneration, so the material assumes a working grasp of basic aviation fundamentals rather than starting from zero. The BDCA CPL Knowledge Exam case studies are 5 cases and about 2,784 words.

Cleared for the Visual Approach in Marginal Visibility

You are flying a twin-engine turboprop on an IFR flight plan, cleared for a visual approach to Runway 27 at an uncontrolled aerodrome. Reported weather at the aerodrome is wind 260/08, visibility 5,000 m in light rain and mist, cloud broken at 1,200 ft AGL, temperature 12°C, dewpoint 10°C.

667 words, about 3 min 2

Engine Failure After Takeoff in a Light Twin

You are pilot-in-command of a light twin-engine aeroplane, MTOW 2,100 kg, departing Runway 09 (length 1,100 m, elevation 400 ft, slope 1% uphill, dry asphalt) on a hot day. OAT is 30°C, QNH 1013, wind calm.

636 words, about 3 min 3

Hypoxia and Decision-Making at Altitude

You are pilot-in-command of an unpressurised single-engine aeroplane on a cross-country flight at 12,500 ft AMSL, above 10,000 ft for 45 minutes without supplemental oxygen. You feel mildly euphoric, your handwriting on the flight log has become untidy, and you notice you have drifted 3 NM off track.

524 words, about 3 min 4

Fuel Planning with a Changing Forecast

You are planning a 2-hour 20-minute IFR flight in a twin-engine aeroplane. Trip fuel is 480 kg, taxi fuel 20 kg, and the forecast gives a 15 kt headwind at cruise, which you have already included.

472 words, about 2 min 5

Radio Failure in Controlled Airspace

You are flying IFR in controlled airspace at FL180 in a pressurised twin. While being vectored for an ILS, your radios fail completely: you can hear nothing and transmit nothing.

485 words, about 2 min