NCAA Air Traffic Controller Licence study plan
NCAA Air Traffic Controller Licence · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 8 hours per week
Air Traffic Control (knowledge test syllabus per NCAA-AC-PEL 018)
Define the scope of the NCAA knowledge-test syllabus in NCAA-AC-PEL 018 and list every sub-area it names, mapping each to a study slot in your calendar
Explain the ICAO Annex 2 Rules of the Air categories of airspace (A–G) from memory, including which classes permit IFR/VFR and what separation service each provides
Distinguish between aerodrome control, approach control and area control in terms of responsibility boundaries and handover points
Build a personal glossary of at least 40 abbreviations used in ATC documentation (e.g. SSR, RVSM, ATFM, SID, STAR) with a one-line definition each
Your checkpoint
A one-page syllabus map listing every NCAA-AC-PEL 018 sub-area, your confidence rating (1–5) for each, and the week you will revisit it
Air Traffic Control (knowledge test syllabus per NCAA-AC-PEL 018)
Describe the components of the ATC system: surveillance (primary and secondary radar, ADS-B, multilateration), communications (VHF/HF, CPDLC) and navigation aids, and state the failure modes of each
Explain the principles of separation: vertical, lateral, longitudinal and radar separation minima, and when each may be reduced
Apply wake-turbulence category rules to sequence three arriving aircraft of different weight classes and justify the spacing you choose
Interpret a standard flight progress strip and explain what each field represents
Your checkpoint
A written worked example of separating and sequencing four aircraft (mixed wake categories, one emergency) with the rule citation for every decision
Air Traffic Control (knowledge test syllabus per NCAA-AC-PEL 018)
State the phraseology standards for clearances, readback requirements and conditional clearances, and identify which clearances always require full readback
Explain runway-incursion prevention measures and the controller actions that trigger a go-around instruction
Describe the purpose and content of a Letter of Agreement between adjacent ATC units and between ATC and an aerodrome operator
Outline emergency procedures: radio failure, unlawful interference (transponder 7500), communications failure (7600) and general emergency (7700)
Your checkpoint
A 10-item phraseology drill sheet you complete closed-book, scoring at least 8/10, with corrections annotated
Air Traffic Control (knowledge test syllabus per NCAA-AC-PEL 018)
Explain the structure of controlled and uncontrolled airspace in the national AIP and how to find airspace classification, restricted areas and prohibited areas
Describe meteorological minima relevant to ATC (VMC/IMC, RVR, ceiling, visibility) and how they affect approach and departure sequencing
Summarise the NOTAM system: what is issued, how it is distributed and which NOTAMs affect a clearance
Explain the role of ATS reporting offices, flight-plan filing and the ATS message handling system
Your checkpoint
A timed 40-question mock test across weeks 1–4 content, scored and reviewed, with every wrong answer rewritten as a correct statement
Air Traffic Control (knowledge test syllabus per NCAA-AC-PEL 018)
Describe the components of an aeronautical chart (en-route, area, aerodrome) and extract airspace, minimum altitude and frequency information from a described chart in text form
Explain altimetry: transition altitude and level, flight levels, QNH/QFE/QNE, and the altimeter-setting errors that cause level busts
Apply RVSM rules to a scenario involving aircraft above and below the RVSM band
Explain the SSR code allocation scheme and the meaning of discrete, non-discrete and special-purpose codes
Your checkpoint
A written altimetry and SSR scenario solution (three aircraft, one level bust) with the correct controller intervention and the rule basis for each step
Air Traffic Control (knowledge test syllabus per NCAA-AC-PEL 018)
Describe air traffic flow management principles: slot allocation, regulation causes and how a controller applies a departure slot
Explain the human-factors content of the syllabus: situational awareness, workload, fatigue, communication loop errors and teamwork in the ops room
Summarise safety-management concepts: occurrence reporting, just culture, safety barriers and the difference between an incident and an accident
Explain how ATC interfaces with adjacent services: apron management, rescue and firefighting, and meteorological briefing
Your checkpoint
A two-page human-factors and safety-management summary written from memory, then checked against source material with gaps highlighted
Air Traffic Control (knowledge test syllabus per NCAA-AC-PEL 018)
Complete a full-length timed mock examination under exam conditions and record the score per sub-area
Re-teach your three weakest sub-areas aloud (or in writing) without notes until each explanation is complete and accurate
Drill phraseology and separation calculations daily for 15 minutes to build speed and accuracy
Build a one-page 'gotcha' sheet of rules you repeatedly confuse (e.g. separation minima values, transponder codes, altimetry definitions)
Your checkpoint
A scored full mock with a per-sub-area error log and a ranked list of the five weakest topics
Air Traffic Control (knowledge test syllabus per NCAA-AC-PEL 018)
Close every remaining gap on the ranked weak-topic list by re-testing each until you score correctly twice in a row
Rehearse the full syllabus map from week 1 and confirm you can explain every sub-area in one sentence without notes
Complete two half-length timed mocks on consecutive days to build stamina and confirm stable scores
Finalise exam logistics: confirm the test format, permitted materials and timing rules with the licensing authority
Your checkpoint
A final self-assessment sheet showing every NCAA-AC-PEL 018 sub-area rated 4 or 5 confidence, plus your two most recent mock scores
Milestones
Week 2: Can state the separation minima for vertical, lateral, longitudinal and radar separation, and apply wake-turbulence spacing to a three-aircraft arrival sequence, without notes
Week 4: Scores at least 75% on the 40-question mock covering weeks 1–4, with no more than two errors in airspace classification or separation minima
Week 6: Explains altimetry, RVSM, SSR codes and human-factors concepts from memory in a single unbroken session, flagging no more than three gaps
Week 7: Scores at least 80% on the full-length timed mock, with every sub-area at or above 60%
Week 8: Scores at least 85% on both half-length mocks and rates every syllabus sub-area 4 or 5 confidence