ICAA PPL Theory case studies
ICAA PPL Theory · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The ICAA PPL Theory examination is the ground-school knowledge test that sits alongside the flight training for a Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane). It is aimed at trainee private pilots who want to fly for recreation or personal travel rather than for hire or reward, and who therefore need a solid, broad understanding of how an aeroplane, its pilot, and the surrounding environment interact. The syllabus is organised into the standard eight theory subjects: Air Law, Aircraft General Knowledge, Flight Performance and Planning, Human Performance and Limitations, Meteorology, Navigation, Operational Procedures, and Principles of Flight. Air Law, Meteorology and Navigation carry the greatest weight, which reflects how often regulatory, weather and positional awareness decisions shape a safe private flight. The ICAA PPL Theory case studies are 5 cases and about 2,617 words.
1Special VFR at Dusk with Weather Below VMC
Pilot with a PPL and 140 hours total time is at a Class D aerodrome at 1735 local, planning a 35 nm VFR flight home in a C172. The current weather is visibility 4 km, broken cloud at 900 ft AGL, wind calm.
611 words, about 3 min2Engine Roughness in Humid Cruise
Pilot in a C172, 6,500 ft, OAT 5°C, relative humidity 80%, cruise 2,300 RPM. After 45 min, RPM falls to 2,150 and engine runs rough.
509 words, about 3 min3High-Density Altitude Departure from a Grass Strip
Pilot plans a departure from a 1,050 m grass strip, elevation 4,200 ft, QNH 1005 hPa, OAT 30°C. Aircraft is a C172 at MTOW 1,043 kg.
522 words, about 3 min4Headache and Drowsiness with Cabin Heat On
Pilot and passenger in a C172, 2.5 h into a 3.5 h flight. OAT -2°C, cabin heat fully on.
461 words, about 2 min5Deteriorating Cloud Base over Rising Terrain
Pilot on a VFR flight in a C172, 25 nm leg over rising terrain. Terrain along track rises to 1,800 ft AMSL.
514 words, about 3 min