CPL Human Performance study guide
CPL Human Performance · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
Human Performance and Limitations is the subject that explains why competent pilots still make mistakes, and what can be done about it. It is examined as a multiple-choice paper within the CPL and ATPL theoretical knowledge syllabuses of most civil aviation authorities, and the same body of knowledge appears in EASA, UK CAA, FAA and many other national systems under slightly different names. The CPL Human Performance study guide has 8 sections and about 2,371 words.
01Basic Aviation Physiology and Health
This domain tests how the body responds to altitude, pressure change and the cabin environment: hypoxia, hyperventilation, trapped gas, decompression sickness and common health threats such as carbon monoxide and alcohol. The exam expects applied recognition and immediate action, not deep physiology.
353 words, about 2 min02The Nervous System
This domain tests basic neuroanatomy and how nervous system function shapes pilot performance: central versus peripheral organisation, autonomic arousal, sensory integration and the effects of hypoxia, fatigue and drugs. Central nervous system (CNS): brain and spinal cord - integration, memory, judgement and motor control.
325 words, about 2 min03Vision and Hearing
This domain tests the eye and ear as flight instruments: visual fields and night vision, dark adaptation, visual illusions, and noise-induced hearing loss and equalisation. Rods: dim-light and peripheral vision, no colour, contain rhodopsin; full dark adaptation takes about 30 minutes and cannot be rushed.
308 words, about 2 min04Spatial Disorientation and Illusions
This domain tests spatial disorientation and visual illusions: how the vestibular system misleads pilots, the named illusions, and the countermeasures that prevent loss of control. Semicircular canals detect angular acceleration; otolith organs detect linear acceleration and gravity but cannot distinguish the two.
314 words, about 2 min05Human Information Processing and Decision Making
This domain tests attention, perception, memory, workload and decision making: how pilots process information, where capacity limits appear, and the models used to make and review decisions. Attention is limited and selective; vigilance decrements over time, and channelised attention causes fixation on one cue.
269 words, about 1 min06Human Error and Threat Management (SHELL, TEM, CRM)
This domain tests human error and threat management: the SHELL model, threat and error management (TEM), error types, and the countermeasures that trap errors before they become undesired aircraft states. Software (procedures, checklists, manuals), Hardware (aircraft and equipment), Environment (weather, traffic, organisation), and Liveware (people).
268 words, about 1 min07Stress, Fatigue and Sleep
This domain tests stress, fatigue and sleep: how arousal affects performance, how fatigue accumulates, and how circadian rhythms and sleep loss change risk. The Yerkes–Dodson curve: performance rises with arousal to an optimum, then falls; too little arousal causes complacency and too much causes narrowing and overload.
271 words, about 1 min08Crew Resource Management and Automation
This domain tests crew resource management and automation: communication, leadership, situation awareness, workload management, and the safe use and monitoring of automated systems. Core skills: clear communication, briefings, assertiveness with respect, workload sharing, and monitoring.
263 words, about 1 min