CPL Flight Performance and Planning case studies
CPL Flight Performance and Planning · Put your knowledge to work in context.
Flight Performance and Planning is the examination area that tests whether a commercial pilot candidate can turn an aircraft's published data into safe, legal, and economical decisions. It sits at the intersection of aerodynamics, loading, and regulation: you must know why an aircraft performs as it does, then prove you can compute the consequences for a specific flight. The CPL Flight Performance and Planning case studies are 5 cases and about 2,560 words.
1Twin-Piston Loading: Aft CG Exceedance
An operator is loading a twin-piston aircraft for a 2 h 30 min sector. The aircraft has a basic empty mass of 2,100 lb at an arm of 81.5 in, maximum takeoff mass 3,400 lb, and a CG envelope of 80.0 in to 86.0 in at all weights.
570 words, about 3 min2Wet Grass Runway at High Density Altitude
A light single-engine aircraft is scheduled to depart from a 1,400 m grass runway at elevation 1,200 ft, QNH 1003 hPa, temperature 28°C. The runway is 1.5% uphill in the takeoff direction and is wet after rain.
466 words, about 2 min3Turboprop Step Climb: Fuel Versus Time
A twin turboprop is planned for a 520 NM sector at FL190. Forecast wind gives a 40 kt headwind component; cruise TAS is 310 kt and cruise fuel flow 620 kg/h.
519 words, about 3 min4In-Flight Diversion With Weather at Minima
After 2 h 10 min in cruise, a light twin has 150 kg of usable fuel remaining. The destination is 70 NM ahead, but its weather is now at the alternate minima with a 300 ft cloud base and visibility 3 km; one approach and missed approach would consume 12 kg.
512 words, about 3 min5Mountain Airport Landing Distance and the 80% Rule
An aircraft is planned to land at a mountain airport with a 1,050 m runway. Landing mass is 1,150 kg.
493 words, about 2 min