GCAA Ghana CPL Theory Exam flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Right-of-way rules

When two aircraft converge at same level, the one on the right has right of way. Head-on: both turn right. Overtaking: the aircraft being overtaken has right of way.

VFR minima controlled airspace

Above 900 m AMSL: 5 km visibility, 1500 m horizontal and 300 m vertical from cloud. At or below 900 m: 5 km visibility, clear of cloud and in sight of surface.

Transponder emergency codes

7700 for general emergency, 7600 for radio failure, 7500 for unlawful interference. These codes alert ATC and trigger priority handling.

Critical angle of attack

The angle of attack at which the wing stalls, regardless of weight, speed, or bank angle. Exceeding it causes airflow separation and loss of lift.

Load factor formula

Load factor n = 1 / cos(bank angle). At 60° bank, n = 2. Stall speed increases by the square root of n.

Induced drag vs parasite drag

Induced drag decreases with increasing speed (inversely proportional to V²). Parasite drag increases with the square of speed. Total drag is minimum at best glide speed.

Density altitude

Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature. Formula: DA = PA + 120 × (OAT − ISA temp). High DA reduces performance.

Vx and Vy

Vx is best angle of climb, giving maximum height for distance. Vy is best rate of climb, giving maximum height per unit time. Vx increases with altitude.

Balanced field length

The runway distance required so that, after engine failure at V1, the aircraft can either stop or continue takeoff and clear the obstacle.

CG limits effects

Forward CG increases stall speed, lengthens takeoff, reduces climb performance. Aft CG reduces stability and can cause pitch-up. Both must be within certified limits.

Fuel planning reserves

Final reserve: 30 minutes for VFR, 45 minutes for IFR. Contingency: 5% of trip fuel. Alternate fuel plus taxi fuel must be included.

CG shift formula

ΔCG = (mass moved × distance moved) / total mass. Moving mass aft shifts CG aft. Use to correct out-of-balance loading.

Time of useful consciousness

At FL350, about 30–60 seconds; at FL250, about 3–5 minutes; at FL180, about 20–30 minutes. Hypoxia symptoms include euphoria and impaired judgement.

Somatogravic illusion

False sensation of climbing or descending during rapid acceleration or deceleration, caused by linear acceleration stimulating the otolith organs. Trust instruments.

Hyperventilation treatment

Slow breathing, talk, reassure. Symptoms mimic hypoxia. If no improvement, treat as hypoxia with 100% oxygen and descent.

QNH and QFE

QNH is altimeter setting to read elevation above mean sea level. QFE is setting to read height above a specific reference, usually aerodrome.

Icing temperature range

Most severe icing occurs between 0°C and −15°C in cumuliform clouds. Clear ice forms from large supercooled droplets; rime ice from small droplets.

Thunderstorm life cycle

Stages: cumulus (updrafts), mature (updrafts and downdrafts, lightning, hail), dissipating (downdrafts). Avoid by at least 20 nm.

1 in 60 rule

Distance off track = (track error in degrees × distance flown) / 60. Also used to calculate closing angle to rejoin track.

Magnetic variation conversion

True to magnetic: east is least (subtract), west is best (add). Deviation is the error from the aircraft compass card.

Great circle vs rhumb line

Great circle is the shortest distance between two points on a sphere. Rhumb line maintains constant track but is longer except at equator or meridian.

Engine failure after takeoff

Maintain control, establish glide, select landing area, attempt restart if time permits. Declare MAYDAY. Do not turn back unless above safe altitude.

Radio failure procedure

Squawk 7600. Continue VFR and land at nearest suitable aerodrome. IFR: follow lost communication procedures, maintain last assigned altitude and route.

Wake turbulence avoidance

Take off before and land after a heavy aircraft. Stay upwind and above its flight path. Wait 2–3 minutes if departing behind heavy.

Fuel calculation formula

Trip fuel = fuel flow × time. Total fuel = taxi + trip + contingency (5%) + alternate + final reserve (30/45 min) + additional.

Alternate aerodrome requirement

Required when destination weather is below minima or no instrument approach available. Must be within fuel range and weather above minima.

Point of no return

The point along the route where it takes the same time to return to departure as to continue to destination, considering wind and fuel.

VOR radial

The magnetic bearing from the VOR station. The CDI shows deviation from selected radial. TO/FROM indicates direction relative to station.

ILS components

Localizer provides lateral guidance (108–112 MHz). Glideslope provides vertical guidance (329–335 MHz). Marker beacons indicate distance.

DME slant range

Distance measured directly from aircraft to station, not ground distance. Error increases with altitude and when close to station.

MAYDAY vs PAN-PAN

MAYDAY is distress, indicating grave and imminent danger. PAN-PAN is urgency, concerning safety but no immediate danger. Both repeated three times.

Readback requirements

Pilot must read back clearances, runway holding instructions, altimeter settings, headings, speeds, and frequencies to ensure correct understanding.