GCAA Ghana CPL Theory Exam study plan

Derive and recite from memory the four forces in straight-and-level, climb, descent and turn, stating which force balances or exceeds which and why

Explain how load factor changes with bank angle in a level turn and compute load factor at 30, 45 and 60 degrees without notes

Define centre of gravity, datum, arm and moment, and compute a simple two-item moment calculation unaided

Sketch the lift formula and explain the effect of each variable on stall speed, including the square-root relationship with load factor

List the mass-and-balance limits that must be checked before every flight and state the consequence of exceeding forward versus aft limits

Describe the function and failure symptoms of the primary and secondary flight controls, flaps, slats, spoilers and trim systems

Explain stability about all three axes and identify which design features provide longitudinal, lateral and directional stability

Interpret a take-off and landing distance chart and state how pressure altitude, temperature, mass, wind and runway slope each shift the result

Calculate density altitude from pressure altitude and temperature and explain its effect on performance and on the airspeed indicator

Work through at least ten performance-style numerical problems under timed conditions

State the conditions of aircraft registration, certificate of airworthiness validity and the privileges and limitations of a CPL holder under Ghanaian civil aviation regulations

Explain the rules on crew licensing, medical validity, logbook keeping and recency, and list what renders a flight unlawful

Apply the rules of the air on right of way, minimum heights, cruising levels, lights and signals, and describe the semi-circular rule with examples

Outline the roles of ICAO annexes and the national authority, and distinguish standards from recommended practices

Describe the documents that must be carried on board and the circumstances requiring an incident or accident report

Sequence the actions and calls for normal take-off, climb, cruise, approach and landing from memory using a flows-and-checklist method

Explain the purpose and content of take-off, approach and landing performance calculations and the meaning of the relevant speeds

Describe emergency procedures for engine failure after take-off, engine fire, forced landing and depressurisation at a procedural level

Interpret fuel planning terms including taxi, trip, contingency, alternate and final reserve, and compute a simple fuel plan

Explain the content and use of an operational flight plan and how in-flight replanning is triggered

Explain hypoxia, its types, symptoms and time of useful consciousness at given altitudes, and state the corrective actions

Describe spatial disorientation, the sensory illusions in approach and departure, and the instrument cross-check that counters them

Explain the effects of fatigue, stress, dehydration, alcohol, medication and carbon monoxide on pilot performance and the decision-making model used to manage them

Decode a METAR and TAF line by line, including wind, visibility, cloud, temperature, pressure and trend groups

Interpret surface charts, significant weather charts and forecasts, and explain the formation of cumulonimbus, icing and low-level wind shear

Explain pressure systems, air masses, fronts and the weather associated with each, and predict likely conditions from a synoptic chart

Describe the hazards of thunderstorms, icing, turbulence, fog and wind shear and the avoidance strategy for each

Convert between true, magnetic and compass headings and between true and magnetic bearings, showing the sign convention each time

Solve dead reckoning problems for heading, groundspeed, track and time using the wind triangle, including drift and wind correction angle

Explain the properties of map projections used in navigation and read positions, distances and tracks from a chart

Explain the principles, coverage, accuracy and limitations of VOR, DME, NDB and ADF, including the errors and interference that affect each

Describe how ILS localiser, glidepath and markers work and state the meaning of the associated indications and warnings

Explain GNSS positioning, receiver autonomous integrity monitoring and the failure modes a pilot must recognise

Plot and interpret a fix from two bearings and state the effect of station geometry on the accuracy of the fix

Describe the use of radar, transponder and pressure altitude reporting in the navigation and surveillance environment

State the standard phraseology for departure, position reporting, approach and landing, and read back correctly the clearances that require it

Explain the difference between VFR and IFR communication requirements, including position reporting and the contents of a full position report

Handle distress, urgency and radio failure procedures, including the correct prefixes, frequencies and priority rules

Describe the elements of a flight plan, the notification and closing rules, and the communication actions when a plan must be amended

Complete full-length mixed practice papers under exam timing and review every wrong answer to its root cause