CARC CPL Theory study guide
CARC CPL Theory · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) theory examination is the written knowledge test that Transport Canada requires before a candidate can be issued a commercial pilot licence under the Canadian Aviation Regulations. It is written for pilots who already hold a Private Pilot Licence and are building toward flying for hire - flight instructors, charter and aerial-work pilots, and others who intend to earn a living in the air. The CARC CPL Theory study guide has 7 sections and about 1,975 words.
01Air Law: Rules of the Air, Licences and Aircraft Status
Air law questions test the regulatory framework that governs every flight: the privileges and limitations of the CPL, rules of the air (right of way, cruising levels, minimum heights), aircraft nationality and registration marks, and the documents that must be carried. Know the difference between registration (nationality, e.g.
267 words, about 1 min02Regulations and Procedures: Flight Rules, Clearances and Documentation
This domain covers operational regulations: flight plan requirements, position reporting, fuel and alternate rules, and the distinction between VFR and IFR operations. Understand controlled vs uncontrolled airspace , clearance readback requirements, and the conditions under which a pilot may deviate from a clearance (emergency authority).
256 words, about 1 min03Aircraft General Knowledge: Airframes, Engines and Systems
Understand the airframe (structure, control surfaces, load paths), powerplant (reciprocating or turbine, induction, ignition, fuel, cooling, lubrication), and systems (electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel, ice protection, pressurisation). Know how carburettor ice forms, how mixture affects power and temperature, and the function of the constant-speed propeller and its governor.
234 words, about 1 min04Flight Performance, Planning and Loading
Performance questions test take-off and landing distances , climb performance , density altitude , weight and balance , and load sheet interpretation. Understand the effect of mass, altitude, temperature, wind, runway slope and surface on performance.
264 words, about 1 min05Human Factors and Pilot Decision Making
Human factors covers physiology (hypoxia, hyperventilation, spatial disorientation, fatigue, dehydration), psychology (stress, workload, situational awareness), and decision making (risk assessment, hazardous attitudes, crew resource management). Understand the hypoxia types (hypoxic, hypemic, stagnant, histotoxic), the symptoms of hyperventilation (often confused with hypoxia), and the sensory illusions in flight (somatogravic, somatogyral, leans).
217 words, about 1 min06Meteorology: Atmosphere, Weather Systems and Hazards
Meteorology questions test atmospheric pressure and temperature lapse , wind (surface friction, veering/backing, gradient), cloud formation , frontal systems , thunderstorms , icing and turbulence . Know the standard atmosphere values, QNH/QFE/QNE , and how to read METAR/TAF reports.
252 words, about 1 min07Navigation and Radio Aids: Dead Reckoning, Charts and Navaids
Navigation covers dead reckoning (heading, track, wind triangle), chart reading (scale, symbols, airspace), time/distance/fuel calculations , and radio navigation aids (VOR, DME, NDB/ADF, ILS, GNSS). Understand true vs magnetic vs compass headings and the corrections between them.
485 words, about 2 min