ATPL Flight Performance and Planning study plan
ATPL Flight Performance and Planning · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Performance - take-off & Mass and balance - principles and limitations
Derive the take-off distance components (ground roll, rotation, airborne segment, screen height) and explain how each factor - mass, pressure altitude, temperature, wind, slope, runway surface - shifts the reference distances
Compute corrected take-off distances from a worked table of factored field-length data, applying the regulatory factor for a given performance class
State the mass and balance limits that constrain take-off mass (MTOM, MLM, MZFM, regulated take-off mass) and identify which limit is critical in three different loading scenarios
Compute the load-shift effect on CG position using the moment/arm method and verify the result against a forward and aft CG envelope
Explain the difference between maximum, regulated and performance-limited take-off mass and rank them by limiting case
Your checkpoint
A one-page formula sheet plus ten fully worked take-off mass and CG problems with answers and a short note on which limit governed each case
Performance - take-off & Performance - climb, cruise and descent
Calculate take-off speeds V1, VR and V2 from given field-length and climb-gradient data and justify each choice against obstacle and brake-energy constraints
Solve obstacle-limited take-off problems by computing the net take-off flight path and comparing it with a stated obstacle profile
Compute climb gradients for the take-off, en-route and landing climb cases and convert between gradient, rate of climb and climb angle
Interpret a take-off performance chart to extract maximum permitted mass for a given runway, wind and temperature combination
Explain the effect of thrust reduction, assumed temperature and bleed configuration on take-off and climb performance
Your checkpoint
A worked obstacle-clearance case study with a plotted net flight path against a three-obstacle profile, plus a table of limiting masses for five runway/temperature combinations
Performance - climb, cruise and descent & Performance - landing
Compute cruise performance parameters - specific range, fuel flow, TAS and Mach - from given tables and identify the speed for maximum range versus maximum endurance
Explain the effect of mass, altitude, temperature and wind on cruise fuel flow and specific air range, and quantify a step-climb decision
Compute descent distance, rate of descent and fuel used for a given profile including a level segment and a speed reduction
Determine landing distance required from landing distance available, applying the regulatory factor and correcting for wind, slope, temperature and runway condition
Explain the approach climb and landing climb gradient requirements and identify the mass at which they become limiting
Your checkpoint
A cruise-and-descent worksheet solving eight numeric problems, plus a landing mass calculation for a wet runway showing the limiting factor
Performance - en-route and other flight phases (including obstacle clearance and contaminated runway) & Mass and balance - principles and limitations
Apply obstacle-clearance requirements in the en-route phase, including drift-down and engine-out net flight path considerations, to a stated terrain profile
Compute the effect of contaminated runway conditions (standing water, slush, snow, ice) on take-off and landing distance and on the applicable braking action
Explain hydroplaning, its contributing factors and how it changes the decision to reject or continue a take-off
Reconcile mass and balance limits against performance limits for a given aeroplane type and identify the operational consequence of each
Explain the structural and handling consequences of exceeding forward and aft CG limits
Your checkpoint
A written four-page briefing on contaminated-runway and obstacle-clearance decision-making, with five worked numerical examples and a summary table of limits
Mass and balance - principles and limitations & Mass and balance - calculations and load sheets
Build a complete load sheet from given passenger, baggage, cargo and fuel figures, including the mass and balance computation and the final CG position
Compute the effect of last-minute changes (extra passengers, fuel adjustment, cargo move) on mass, CG and trim
Convert between index units and moment/arm values and explain why index systems are used in load control
Identify the documents and checks required before a load sheet is signed, including the difference between dry operating mass and operating mass
Solve six load-sheet problems under time pressure and check each against the envelope
Your checkpoint
Six completed load sheets with CG plotted on the envelope, plus a checklist of pre-signature verification steps
Flight planning - fuel planning and reserves & Flight planning - route, alternate and contingency planning
Compute trip fuel, contingency fuel, alternate fuel, final reserve and taxi fuel for a given route and state the total fuel required at departure
Explain the regulatory basis of each fuel element and the conditions under which contingency fuel may be reduced or replaced by a fuel scheme
Select a destination alternate and a take-off alternate against the stated weather, runway and fuel criteria
Compute the additional fuel required for a given re-route or holding scenario and the resulting reduction in payload or range
Explain isolated-airfield and en-route alternate planning considerations and when they apply
Your checkpoint
A complete fuel plan for a two-sector route with alternates, showing each fuel element, the total, and a sensitivity table for two weather and two payload variations
Flight planning - computer flight plans and operational flight plan & Flight monitoring - in-flight replanning and fuel monitoring
Read a computer-generated operational flight plan and identify every field, including the fuel, mass, route and performance entries
Reconcile a computer flight plan against a manually computed fuel and time plan and explain any discrepancy
Perform an in-flight replan after a diversion or holding event, recomputing fuel remaining at destination and the revised alternate
Apply fuel-monitoring rules in flight, including the decision points for a fuel emergency and the required communications
Explain how the operational flight plan supports in-flight replanning and what changes when the plan is amended
Your checkpoint
A reconciliation report comparing a manual plan with a sample computer flight plan, plus a written in-flight replan scenario with fuel state at each decision point
Performance - take-off & Performance - climb, cruise and descent & Performance - landing & Performance - en-route and other flight phases (including obstacle clearance and contaminated runway) & Mass and balance - principles and limitations & Mass and balance - calculations and load sheets & Flight planning - fuel planning and reserves & Flight planning - route, alternate and contingency planning & Flight planning - computer flight plans and operational flight plan & Flight monitoring - in-flight replanning and fuel monitoring
Complete a full-length timed mock examination under exam conditions and record the score by domain
Re-solve every incorrectly answered question and write the correct method for each
Revisit the two weakest domains and rebuild the underlying method rather than memorising answers
Consolidate all formula sheets, checklists and worked examples into a single revision pack
Review the highest-risk topics - V1 decisions, contaminated runway, fuel reserves and CG limits - one final time
Your checkpoint
A timed mock exam with a domain-by-domain score breakdown, a corrected-errors log, and a consolidated one-page revision summary for each domain