PPL Navigation & Communication Theory study plan

Derive the relationship between true track, drift, heading and wind vector, and solve the wind triangle by scale drawing for three different wind cases

Convert between true, magnetic and compass directions using variation and deviation, and state the sign convention you use every time

Compute great-circle distance and initial track from latitude/longitude using the half-convergency method for two sample routes

Explain the Earth models (sphere, oblate spheroid, geoid) and state which one is used for chart construction and for GNSS positioning

Solve time, distance, speed and fuel-flow problems on the navigation computer to within 2% of the manual answer across 20 mixed drills

Convert between nautical miles, statute miles and kilometres, and between litres, imperial gallons and US gallons, without reference notes

Read a Mercator plotting chart correctly: identify scale at a given latitude, measure track with a protractor, and account for chart convergence

Produce a leg-by-leg navigation log with heading, ground speed, ETA and fuel for a four-leg route

Interpret a 1:500,000 topographical aviation chart: identify airspace boundaries, obstacles, magnetic variation lines and elevation shading

Extract and apply NOTAM and AIP-style restrictions to modify a planned route around a temporary danger area

Calculate a point of no return and a critical point for a two-engine scenario and justify the assumptions used

Compute top-of-descent point and rate of descent for a 3-degree profile at two different ground speeds

State the phonetic alphabet, standard phraseology for departure, position reporting and arrival, and readback requirements for each

Explain VHF propagation, line-of-sight range versus altitude, and why frequency band choice matters for range and interference

Describe VOR, DME, NDB/ADF and ILS operating principles, including the information each provides and its main error sources

Explain how GNSS ranging works, what RAIM does, and how receiver autonomous integrity monitoring failure affects navigation capability

Deliver a simulated position report and a simulated emergency call aloud, timed, using correct distress and urgency prefixes and priorities

Distinguish distress, urgency and safety frequencies and the circumstances that require each

Explain lost-communication procedures and the actions to take when a radio fails in controlled airspace

Describe SSR transponder modes, squawk allocation practice and the meaning of the standard conspicuity codes

Explain GNSS augmentation (ground-based and satellite-based) and the difference between lateral and vertical guidance integrity

Decode a METAR and a TAF into wind, visibility, cloud and trend information and state the operational implication of each element

Explain how pressure systems, fronts and jet streams create wind patterns, and relate upper winds to drift on a planned leg

Convert between QNH, QFE and pressure altitude and calculate true altitude from an indicated altitude with a temperature error

Interpret icing, turbulence and low-level wind shear forecasts and describe their effect on route and altitude selection

Classify airspace by type, state entry requirements, and list the clearance and communication actions needed before entering each

Describe separation responsibilities and services provided in controlled versus uncontrolled airspace, and when a clearance amendment must be requested

Plan a route that transitions between controlled and uncontrolled airspace, including the position reports and frequency changes required

Explain the role of the flight plan, ATS surveillance and alerting services in the event of an overdue aircraft

Complete two full-length timed mock exams under exam conditions and log every error by domain

Re-derive from memory the wind triangle, the 1-in-60 rule and the fuel-critical-point formula

Recite the phonetic alphabet and the distress and urgency prefixes without hesitation

Re-work the ten weakest items from the mock exams until each is explained aloud correctly