BDCA CPL Knowledge Exam study plan

Map the Air Law syllabus into a one-page index of rule areas (licensing, rules of the air, ATC clearance, aerodromes) and mark each as known, shaky, or unknown

State the right-of-way and cruising-level conventions from memory and self-check against the index

Explain in writing how lift, weight, thrust, and drag balance in straight-and-level flight and in a steady climb

Draw the four forces on a wing at three angles of attack and label the critical angle

Solve 30 mixed Air Law and Principles of Flight practice items and log every error by cause

Recite the documents and endorsements required for a flight and the validity periods that apply

Describe airspace classes and the entry, equipment, and clearance requirements for each

Derive the relationship between angle of attack, indicated airspeed, and stall speed at increased load factor

Explain induced drag, parasite drag, and the speed for minimum total drag

Complete a timed 40-question set on Air Law and Principles of Flight at 80 percent or better

Compute aircraft mass and balance for three loading scenarios and confirm each stays within the envelope

Calculate takeoff and landing distances for given mass, pressure altitude, temperature, and wind, and state the safety margin applied

Convert between true, magnetic, and compass headings using variation and deviation for five routes

Plot a three-leg cross-country track on a chart and measure track, distance, and time for each leg

Build a fuel plan for one cross-country flight including taxi, trip, reserve, and contingency

Recompute the week 3 flight plan with a 20-knot headwind and a 2000-foot higher cruise level and compare the outcomes

Explain how density altitude changes takeoff roll, climb rate, and true airspeed, and quantify the effect from the charts

Determine position from two cross-bearings and from a single bearing plus distance

Describe the use of a navigation log and the in-flight revisions made when actual wind differs from forecast

Complete 25 mixed Flight Performance and Navigation items and review every error

Decode a METAR and a TAF line by line and state the trend and the operational significance of each group

Explain how temperature, dew point, and lapse rate combine to produce cloud, fog, and icing risk

Describe the formation and hazards of thunderstorms, wind shear, and mountain wave, and the avoidance action for each

Trace the major aircraft systems (powerplant, fuel, electrical, hydraulic, flight controls, pitot-static) and state the failure symptoms of each

Interpret the pitot-static and gyroscopic instrument errors and the actions taken when each is suspected

Interpret pressure charts and forecasts to make a go or no-go call for three sample flights and justify each

Apply the personal minimums and threat-and-error management process to two written scenarios

Sequence the actions for an engine failure after takeoff, a forced landing, and a cabin fire

Describe runway incursion avoidance, wake turbulence separation, and the correct readback of a hold-short instruction

Complete a timed 40-question set on Meteorology and Operational Procedures at 80 percent or better

Explain hypoxia, hyperventilation, and carbon monoxide poisoning, and distinguish their symptoms and the corrective action for each

Describe the effects of fatigue, dehydration, and circadian rhythm on decision quality and the countermeasures available

State the standard phraseology for taxi, takeoff, departure, position reporting, and emergency calls

Write out the readback for five ATC clearances and confirm each is complete and correct

Explain the loss-of-radio procedures and the squawk codes used for communication failure and emergencies

Explain how VOR, DME, ILS, and GNSS provide position and guidance, and state the principal error or limitation of each

Interpret a radio navigation instrument indication for four sample scenarios and state the aircraft position relative to the facility

Revisit the weakest areas from the week 1 and week 2 error logs and resolve every unresolved item

Sit two full-length mixed mock exams under timed conditions and record per-domain scores

Build a final review list of no more than ten items to revisit in the last days before the exam