CARC PPL Theory study plan

Map the Met and Navigation syllabi into a one-page checklist of every sub-topic, then rank each sub-topic red/amber/green by current confidence

Explain the ISA lapse rates, pressure altimetry and QNH/QFE/QNE relationships from memory, then solve 15 altimeter-setting numerical questions without notes

Interpret surface charts, significant weather charts and TAF/METAR/TREND reports: decode 10 real coded products into plain-language briefings

Derive and apply the 1-in-60 rule and the triangle of velocities to 10 wind-triangle problems, showing all working

Set up a navigation log template and complete a full nav-log calculation for one planned 60 nm leg including wind correction angle and groundspeed

Describe air masses, fronts, frontal weather sequences and the hazards each brings, then match five typical European synoptic scenarios to expected flying conditions

Explain stability, lapse rate comparisons, inversions, turbulence, icing, thunderstorms and wind shear, and state the operational decision each hazard forces

Convert between true, magnetic and compass headings using variation and deviation, and solve 10 conversion questions accurately

Interpret VOR, DME, NDB/ADF and ILS indications: answer 15 questions on CDI/HSI presentation, radial interception and glideslope geometry

Read a half-millibar chart and a low-level significant weather chart and extract the information relevant to a VFR cross-country at 3000 ft

State the rules on right-of-way, minimum heights, cruising levels, VMC minima and clearance from cloud for the applicable airspace classes, then answer 20 air-law recall questions

Explain airspace classification, ATS services, flight-plan requirements and SSR transponder procedures, and describe what changes at each airspace boundary on a sample route

Describe licensing, medical, documentation and rules-of-the-air obligations relevant to a private pilot, listing the documents that must be carried on a flight

Compute aircraft mass and balance: complete a load sheet for a sample aeroplane, check the CG falls inside the envelope, and state the effect of fuel burn on CG position

Plan a cross-country flight: select levels, compute fuel with reserves, fill a flight plan and produce a leg-by-leg fuel/time log

Apply take-off, landing and climb performance data from a sample aeroplane flight manual: extract and correct figures for pressure altitude, temperature, mass and wind

Explain the effects of density altitude, runway slope, surface condition and contamination on take-off and landing distances, and quantify the effect on one worked example

Interpret the PPL privileges and limitations, and state the conditions under which a flight may be refused or must be terminated

Review and correct all errors from weeks 1-3 by re-working every missed question and writing a one-line reason for each error

Complete a timed 40-question mixed paper across domains 1, 3, 5 and 6 under exam conditions

Describe the airframe structure, flight controls, landing gear, and hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and state the failure symptoms and pilot actions for each

Explain the electrical system: generation, battery, bus bar, circuit protection and distribution, and describe what is lost and what remains available after an alternator failure

Describe piston-engine operation: induction, ignition, fuel metering, cooling, lubrication and propeller control, and explain the causes and handling of detonation, pre-ignition and carburettor icing

Explain the four forces, lift generation, induced and parasite drag, the drag curve and the significance of the L/D max point

Explain stability, control effectiveness, stalling, spinning, load factor and the effect of CG position on performance and handling

Explain the sensory systems relevant to flight: vision, spatial disorientation, illusions and the vestibular system, and state the recovery from each illusion

Describe hypoxia, hyperventilation, decompression, carbon monoxide poisoning, fatigue, stress and their recognition and management

Apply the IMSAFE and PAVE checklists to two realistic go/no-go scenarios and justify the decision in writing

Describe operational procedures for pre-flight, departure, en-route, arrival and emergency phases, including emergency briefings, diversion and forced-landing considerations

Explain fire, smoke, engine failure, radio failure and lost-procedure handling, and state the priority actions in the correct order

Use standard RT phraseology for ground, tower, approach and radar frequencies: read back clearances correctly and identify the elements that must always be read back

Transcribe and respond to 10 recorded-style RT exchanges, including position reports, traffic information, level instructions and frequency changes

Describe distress, urgency and safety communication, emergency frequencies, and the correct format for MAYDAY and PAN-PAN calls

Explain basic radar and GNSS principles, transponder modes and codes, and the limitations and failure indications of each

Review all navigation errors from weeks 1-2 and re-solve any radio-navigation or heading-conversion question previously missed

Sit two full timed mock exams under exam conditions, covering all nine domains with the correct question weighting

Mark both papers, classify every error as knowledge gap, misreading or calculation slip, and rank the gaps by marks lost

Re-study only the top five gaps by marks lost, then re-test those sub-topics with 10 fresh questions each

Rehearse the formula sheet, conversion factors and RT phraseology from memory in a single timed 20-minute recall session

Complete a final full mock and confirm a consistent pass margin with no domain below the required standard