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

Define the Earth coordinate system terms used in CPL navigation: latitude, longitude, great circle, small circle, rhumb line, and the properties of each.

Convert between degrees/minutes/seconds and decimal degrees without error, and express positions in the standard aviation format used on flight plans.

Explain the difference between true, magnetic, and compass heading, and state the causes of variation and deviation.

Calculate true track from magnetic track and vice versa using variation, and magnetic heading from compass heading using deviation.

Derive and apply the 1-in-60 rule to estimate track error and closing angle from off-track distances.

Compute revised heading and time to destination after a known track error using the 1-in-60 method.

Interpret a navigation computer (flight computer) wind side to solve for heading and groundspeed given TAS, track, and wind.

Solve drift and groundspeed problems using both the manual triangle method and the wind-side method, and compare results.

Read and interpret a VFR navigation chart: airspace boundaries, airways, reporting points, and restricted areas.

Measure true track and distance between two points on a chart and convert to magnetic track.

Extract wind and temperature forecasts from a current area forecast and apply them to a planned leg.

Identify chart symbols for controlled airspace classes and state the entry requirements for each.

Build a full navigation flight plan for a cross-country route of at least three legs, including heading, groundspeed, time, and fuel per leg.

Compute fuel required with reserve and contingency using planned burn rates.

Calculate top-of-climb and top-of-descent points and the effect of climb/descent on leg time.

Apply magnetic variation and deviation corrections consistently across the entire plan.

Explain the principles of VOR, DME, NDB/ADF, and GNSS as navigation aids, including what each measures and its limitations.

Interpret a VOR radial and compute the heading needed to intercept and track a given radial.

Describe how GNSS position error and RAIM affect navigation integrity, and state when a non-GNSS backup is required.

Identify the failure modes of each aid and the cockpit indications that accompany them.

Describe dead reckoning and pilotage techniques and state when each is preferred.

Apply the mental dead-reckoning shortcuts for time, distance, and fuel at common cruise speeds.

Plan a diversion in flight: compute new heading, groundspeed, time, and fuel to an alternate.

Explain the effect of wind, temperature, and pressure on navigation accuracy and how to correct for each.

Review all formula families: heading conversions, wind triangle, 1-in-60, fuel, and time-distance-speed.

Complete a full-length practice paper under exam conditions and mark it against the answer key.

Categorise every wrong answer by root cause: formula error, chart misread, unit error, or knowledge gap.

Re-solve every missed question from first principles without looking at the answer.

Re-drill the two weakest error categories identified in week 7 until accuracy exceeds 90%.

Complete a second full practice paper under timed conditions and compare the score to week 7.

Recite the key formulas and definitions from memory in a self-quiz without notes.

Finalise a one-page exam-day formula sheet limited to material you can reproduce unaided.