ATPL Flight Performance and Planning study guide
ATPL Flight Performance and Planning · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
Flight Performance and Planning is the ATPL subject that turns aircraft data into decisions: whether a runway is long enough, whether the aeroplane will clear the obstacle off the end, how much fuel must be on board, and whether the load sheet puts the centre of gravity inside the certified envelope. It is aimed at candidates working towards a commercial pilot licence or an airline transport pilot licence under an EASA-style theoretical knowledge syllabus, and it rewards students who are comfortable with graphs, tables and the flight computer rather than pure memorisation. The ATPL Flight Performance and Planning study guide has 10 sections and about 2,659 words.
01Performance - take-off
Performance - take-off is the domain where the exam checks whether you can turn certified take-off data into a legal, obstacle-safe departure. It tests declared distances, speeds, limiting masses and the effects of density altitude, wind, slope, runway condition and thrust setting.
308 words, about 2 min02Performance - climb, cruise and descent
Performance - climb, cruise and descent examines segment gradients, climb rates, cruise altitude capability, step climbs and descent planning. The exam wants you to separate rate of climb from climb gradient and to use ground speed, not indicated or true airspeed, for obstacle work.
291 words, about 1 min03Performance - landing
Performance - landing tests whether you can establish a legal landing mass and distance for the destination or alternate. It covers landing distance available, approach speed, screen height, braking configuration, runway condition and go-around performance.
264 words, about 1 min04Performance - en-route and other flight phases (including obstacle clearance and contaminated runway)
Performance - en-route and other flight phases covers obstacle clearance away from the take-off and landing paths, driftdown, depressurisation and contaminated-runway operations. The exam tests whether you keep a legal margin when normal performance is degraded.
247 words, about 1 min05Mass and balance - principles and limitations
Mass and balance - principles and limitations tests the definitions and structural limits that make a load legal: maximum take-off mass, maximum landing mass, maximum zero-fuel mass, CG limits, datum, arm, moment and the effect of CG on performance. MTOM, MLM and MZFM are structural or performance limits; the lowest applicable limit governs.
283 words, about 1 min06Mass and balance - calculations and load sheets
Mass and balance - calculations and load sheets tests the arithmetic and document discipline behind a legal load sheet: basic empty mass, dry operating mass, index, moment, %MAC, standard passenger masses, fuel density and last-minute changes. Convert every load to a mass and a moment or index using the approved arm and datum.
258 words, about 1 min07Flight planning - fuel planning and reserves
Flight planning - fuel planning and reserves tests the fuel breakdown and legal reserves for commercial transport. You must distinguish taxi, trip, contingency, alternate, final reserve, additional and extra fuel.
273 words, about 1 min08Flight planning - route, alternate and contingency planning
Flight planning - route, alternate and contingency planning tests route and alternate choice under weather, terrain, airspace and diversion-time constraints. It includes EDTO/ETOPS, equal-time points and contingency fuel.
231 words, about 1 min09Flight planning - computer flight plans and operational flight plan
Flight planning - computer flight plans and operational flight plan tests your ability to read a computed OFP and check it against the route, weather and fuel policy. It covers the nav log, winds, temperatures, Mach and cost index, fuel breakdown, alternates and actual time over.
258 words, about 1 min10Flight monitoring - in-flight replanning and fuel monitoring
Flight monitoring - in-flight replanning and fuel monitoring tests ongoing fuel and route checks. You must compare actual fuel with planned, identify trends early and replan before a reserve is breached.
246 words, about 1 min