PPL Navigation & Communication Theory case studies
PPL Navigation & Communication Theory · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The PPL Navigation and Communication Theory examination is the ground-school paper that checks whether a private pilot candidate can plan a flight, find their way, and talk to the right people on the right frequency. It sits alongside the other PPL theory subjects and is normally taken before the flight test, because the skills it tests are used on every cross-country. The PPL Navigation & Communication Theory case studies are 5 cases and about 4,362 words.
1The Heading That Was Eight Degrees Wrong
You are planning a 62 NM VFR leg from Fenwick (elevation 240 ft) to Holloway. Planned true track is 090°T, cruise TAS 105 kt, forecast wind 350°/20 kt.
860 words, about 4 min2Old Chart, New Airspace, Tight Fuel
You are planning a 118 NM VFR flight in a light single. Usable fuel 18 US gal, cruise consumption 9 gph, TAS 100 kt; the forecast gives 95 kt ground speed.
830 words, about 4 min3One Fix, Three Numbers: Correcting Track and ETA
You cross the start-of-leg point at 10:20 UTC. Planned track 180°T, 120 NM to destination, planned ground speed 100 kt, planned ETA 11:32.
793 words, about 4 min4GPS Says One Thing, the VOR Says Another
You are flying an 88 NM VFR leg with a VOR/ILS receiver and CDI, a DME that a NOTAM has declared unserviceable, and a panel-mounted GPS that is not approved for IFR use and gives no integrity warning. The route briefing includes a NOTAM for GNSS interference and jamming trials, surface to FL120, within 25 NM of a military range.
949 words, about 5 min5Two Similar Call Signs in the Zone
It is a busy Saturday at a Class D aerodrome with four aircraft inbound. Your registration is G-BXTR; another inbound aircraft is G-BXRT.
930 words, about 5 min