ATPL Navigation (Sri Lanka CAA Pilot Licence Examinations) exam-day guide
ATPL Navigation · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID
Bring the exact identity document the test provider requires (typically a passport or national ID). The name must match your booking. Accepted document types vary by centre and country, so confirm with the provider before travelling.
Admission confirmation / booking reference
Print or save offline a copy of your appointment confirmation showing date, time, and centre address. Mobile signal at test centres can be unreliable, so keep a screenshot as well as the email.
Approved calculator
Confirm with the provider which calculator models are permitted. Many aviation exam centres allow only basic non-programmable calculators and may supply or prohibit memory functions, so check the list rather than assuming.
Plotter / navigation tools if permitted
Some ATPL Navigation sittings allow a CRP-style flight computer and a protractor/plotter, others provide on-screen tools only. Confirm the permitted equipment list with the provider and do not bring unapproved items into the room.
Exam authority reference material rules
Ask the provider whether any formula sheet, conversion table, or chart extract is supplied on screen or in hard copy. Do not bring your own reference sheets unless explicitly allowed.
Know the paper structure and pass mark
Confirm with the provider the number of questions, time allowed, and pass mark for the Navigation paper in your licensing system. These differ between authorities, so verify rather than relying on forum posts.
Timing plan for the paper
Work out your average seconds per question from the confirmed question count and duration, and decide a checkpoint (for example, where you should be at the halfway mark). Write it down and rehearse it in a timed mock.
Formula and method revision sheet
Prepare a one-page summary of the calculations you must have automatic: track and groundspeed from wind triangle, drift, heading, ETA, fuel flow, radius of turn, and great-circle distance. Revise from it, then leave it at home.
Travel and arrival buffer
Plan to arrive at the centre with time to spare for security, ID checks, and seating. Check transport disruption and parking in advance; late arrival rules are set by the provider, so confirm the cut-off.
Rest and hydration plan
Protect sleep in the 48 hours before the paper. Navigation questions reward careful arithmetic, and fatigue errors in unit conversion or drift sign are common. Plan a light meal and water before the sitting.
Confirm centre logistics
Check with the provider the room location, whether lockers are available for bags and phones, and the policy on personal items at the desk. Phrase any uncertainty as a question to the centre, not an assumption.
Plan the day
Do one full timed mock under exam conditions using only permitted tools, then mark it strictly. Identify your two weakest topics (commonly wind triangle sign errors, unit conversions, or great-circle versus rhumb line questions) and spend the remaining time on those rather than re-reading everything.
Reconfirm with the provider: date, time, address, ID requirements, permitted equipment, and the confirmed question count and pass mark. Resolve any ambiguity now, not on the morning.
Drill the arithmetic you will use under pressure: converting minutes to decimal hours, drift angle estimates, groundspeed from headwind or tailwind components, and fuel burn calculations. Do short bursts of ten questions with a timer rather than long unstructured sessions.
Do a light review of your formula sheet and a handful of questions only. Pack your ID, confirmation, and approved calculator. Check travel times and set two alarms. Avoid learning new material or attempting a full mock this late.
Stop studying early, eat normally, and aim for a full night's sleep. Confirm your route and departure time. If you feel underprepared, remember that a calm, methodical approach on the day is worth more than extra late-night cramming.
Eat a proper breakfast, take your ID and confirmation, and arrive early. Avoid last-minute discussion of question content with other candidates, which can undermine confidence and may breach conduct rules.
Read the instructions and check the on-screen tools before starting the clock. Note your checkpoint time. If a question is taking too long, flag it and move on; return with the remaining time.
Work methodically: sketch the wind triangle, write units on every number, and sanity-check answers (groundspeed cannot exceed true airspeed plus wind speed; drift has a sign). Reserve the final minutes to review flagged questions and confirm no blanks remain if the paper does not penalise wrong answers.
Rules to check
Bring only the identity document the provider specifies; the name must match your booking exactly. If your ID is expired or the name differs, contact the provider before the exam day rather than at the desk.
Follow the centre's rules on personal belongings: phones and smart watches are normally required to be switched off and stored away from the desk. Confirm the exact policy with the provider.
Do not bring unauthorised reference material, notes, or programmable devices into the room. If you are unsure whether an item is permitted, ask the provider in advance or leave it outside.
Breaks are usually not permitted during a timed sitting, and leaving the room may end your attempt. Confirm the provider's policy on comfort breaks and on any extra time arrangements before the day.
Scoring is based on the number of correct answers against the pass mark set by the licensing authority; confirm with the provider whether wrong answers are penalised and whether results are issued immediately or after moderation.
If equipment fails or you believe there is an error in a question, raise your hand and inform the invigilator rather than attempting to resolve it yourself; the provider's incident procedure governs the outcome.
Keep any discussion of question content after the exam within the provider's confidentiality rules; many authorities prohibit sharing live exam questions.