KCAA CPL Theory study plan

Map the KCAA CPL Air Law syllabus into a one-page index of topics you must cite from the Civil Aviation Act, KCARs, and ICAO Annexes

Recite from memory the rules on licence validity, ratings, medical validity periods, and recency requirements applicable to a Kenyan CPL holder

Draw the ATS airspace classification table for Kenya and label class, separation provided, clearance requirement, and VMC minima for each class

Trace the piston-engine four-stroke cycle and, for each stroke, state valve position, crankshaft rotation, and where ignition occurs

Explain the purpose and normal indication of the aircraft's electrical bus, alternator/generator, battery relay, and circuit protection devices

Describe the hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel, and lubrication systems of a typical light twin or complex single, naming each component's failure consequence

Explain landing gear, flap, and trim system operation including normal, abnormal, and emergency extension methods

Compute takeoff and landing distance from a provided performance chart, correcting for pressure altitude, temperature, weight, wind, and runway slope

Calculate mass and balance for a given load sheet and determine whether the CG falls inside the envelope for all fuel states

State the emergency equipment carried on a Kenyan-registered CPL training aircraft and the inspection/expiry intervals for each item

Build a fuel plan for a 3-leg cross-country using taxi, trip, contingency, alternate, and final reserve figures, and reconcile it against aircraft endurance

Interpret the Kenyan climatology: monsoon seasons, ITCZ movement, and typical convective and stratiform patterns over the highlands and coast

Decode and explain every group of a METAR and TAF, then identify the trend and validity period without reference notes

Read significant weather charts and interpret QNH, QFE, and pressure tendency in the context of altimeter setting errors

Explain icing, turbulence, wind shear, and thunderstorm avoidance criteria as they affect flight planning decisions

Derive the pressure, density, and true altitude relationships and solve three altitude-correction problems without a calculator aid

Convert between true, magnetic, and compass headings using variation and deviation, and compute track made good and drift from wind triangle data

Plot a 3-leg cross-country on a 1:500,000 chart, measure tracks and distances, and extract the required visual reporting points and danger areas

Explain the principles of the gyromagnetic compass, directional gyro, and magnetic compass errors (turning, acceleration, and northerly turning error)

Interpret NOTAMs and AIP supplements that affect a planned route and adjust the nav log accordingly

Explain the operation, indications, and failure modes of VOR, DME, NDB/ADF, ILS, and GNSS as installed in a typical Kenyan CPL training aircraft

Solve VOR radial interception and NDB bearing-tracking problems using the standard mental models, with no reference to notes

Interpret an instrument approach plate: minima, missed approach, procedure turns, and the role of each navaid in the procedure

Describe the limitations and errors of GNSS (RAIM, selective availability legacy, and receiver autonomy) and the regulatory requirements for GNSS approaches in Kenya

State the radio navigation frequencies, identifiers, and coverage of the navaids serving JKIA, Wilson, Mombasa, and Kisumu

Explain the sensory systems involved in spatial disorientation and name the specific illusions (somatogravic, coriolis, leans, black hole) with the recovery action for each

Describe hypoxia, hyperventilation, decompression sickness, and fatigue, including the altitude/time thresholds and the correct response in each case

Apply the DECIDE model and the threat-and-error management framework to three written in-flight scenarios

State the operational procedures for runway incursion prevention, stabilized approach criteria, and go-around decision-making

Explain the carriage and use requirements for survival equipment, ELT, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits on a Kenyan CPL flight

Derive the four forces in steady flight and explain how each changes with angle of attack, speed, and configuration, including the lift curve and stall

Explain stability (static and dynamic, longitudinal, lateral, and directional), control effectiveness, and the effects of load factor, CG position, and icing on stall speed

Describe the causes and recovery from stall, spin, spiral dive, and upset, and the certification limits on load factor for the training aircraft

Compose and deliver standard VFR and IFR radiotelephony calls for departure, en route, position reporting, and arrival at a controlled aerodrome

Explain distress, urgency, and safety communications, including MAYDAY, PAN PAN, and the correct readback of clearances

Complete two full-length timed mock exams under exam conditions and log every incorrect answer by domain

Re-study the three weakest domains identified in the mock exams until each reaches 85% on a re-test

Recite the licensing, airspace, and separation rules from memory in a 15-minute oral drill with a study partner

Re-derive the performance, mass and balance, and navigation calculations that caused errors in the mocks, writing out the method each time

Build a personal error log of the 20 most repeated mistakes and a one-line correction rule for each