ATPL Navigation (Sri Lanka CAA Pilot Licence Examinations) study plan

Solve dead-reckoning and wind-triangle problems to a 90% accuracy target using a CRP-5 or electronic flight computer, including drift, groundspeed, and heading-to-steer corrections

Compute great-circle and rhumb-line distances and initial/final track using both the calculation method and the chart method, then reconcile any difference greater than 2 NM

Convert between true, magnetic, and compass directions for a minimum of 20 sample variation/deviation scenarios without errors

Interpret the main chart projections (Mercator, Lambert conformal conic, polar stereographic) and state the properties, scale behaviour, and typical use of each

Explain the operating principles, errors, and limitations of the direct-reading magnetic compass and the remote-reading gyromagnetic compass

Calculate top-of-climb, top-of-descent, and equal-time/equal-distance points for at least 10 route scenarios with varying wind and temperature

Derive true altitude, pressure altitude, density altitude, and indicated altitude corrections from a given QNH, QFE, and temperature profile

Apply the 1-in-60 rule and off-track correction method to intercept and rejoin a track, showing the heading and time corrections

Solve sunrise, sunset, and civil-twilight times for given latitude and date, and convert them to UTC and local mean time

Identify the causes and magnitudes of refraction, parallax, and semidiameter corrections in celestial observations at a conceptual level

Describe the principles of operation, frequency bands, and accuracy/coverage limitations of VOR, DME, NDB/ADF, ILS, and GNSS

Compute radial, bearing, and distance-to-station from a VOR/DME fix, including slant-range error and line-of-sight considerations

Interpret ILS localizer and glide-path indications, including the meaning of fly-up/fly-down and the coverage sectors

Explain the errors and failure modes of each radio aid (e.g., scalloping, night effect, multipath, RAIM) and the associated crew response

Describe the operating principle and common errors of the pitot-static system, airspeed indicators, and altimeters, and state the checks used to detect them

Explain the principles, errors, and limitations of gyroscopic instruments (attitude indicator, heading indicator, turn coordinator) and their power sources

Interpret the indications and failure modes of the Machmeter, air-data computer, and primary flight display symbology

Solve area-navigation and RNAV route problems, including waypoint sequencing, cross-track error, and required navigation performance

Describe the use of radar, transponder, and TCAS in the navigation and surveillance environment, and the meaning of the associated indications

State the regulatory and operational requirements for the carriage and serviceability of radio-navigation and instrument equipment

Prepare a full VFR/IFR flight plan for a given route, including fuel, alternate, contingency, and reserve calculations

Compute mass, centre of gravity, and load distribution for at least five loading scenarios, including forward and aft limit checks and the effect of fuel burn

Interpret mass-and-balance documentation (loading manual, index method, moment method) and identify when a load sheet must be amended

Explain the relationship between mass, balance, and performance (take-off, landing, climb, stall speed) and the operational consequences of exceeding limits

Monitor a flight in progress using fuel flow, groundspeed, and position reports, and state the actions when actuals diverge from the plan by a defined threshold

Recalculate in-flight fuel and time remaining at each waypoint of the simulated route and decide whether to continue, divert, or hold

Apply the mass-and-balance index method to a last-minute loading change and document the amended load sheet

Explain the regulatory fuel policy (taxi, trip, contingency, alternate, final reserve, extra) and apply it to two different route profiles

Interpret NOTAM, weather, and ATS information as it affects the flight plan, and amend the plan accordingly

Identify the common causes of flight-plan error (unit conversion, wind direction convention, time zone) and build a personal checklist to prevent them

Complete a full-length timed general-navigation mock under exam conditions and score at least 80%

Complete a full-length timed radio-navigation mock under exam conditions and score at least 80%

Re-derive the five most frequently missed calculation types from weeks 1-4 without reference to notes

Review the interaction between chart projection, grid/true/magnetic reference, and radio-aid bearing interpretation in a single worked example

Build a personal error log categorising every mistake by cause (concept, arithmetic, unit, misread) to target the final week

Complete a full-length timed mock covering flight planning, instruments, and mass and balance and score at least 85%

Re-work every item in the week-7 error log to full correctness and explain the corrected method aloud

Consolidate the formula and method sheets from weeks 1-6 into a single revision sheet of no more than two pages

Perform a final timed mixed mock across all five domains and confirm a stable score above the pass threshold

State the exam-day time-allocation and question-skipping strategy, and rehearse it in the final mock