NCAA CPL Aircraft General Knowledge

The exam is multiple choice. The number of questions and the time allowed are not stated in the NCAA source material, so candidates should confirm these details with the NCAA or their training organisation when applying. The passing grade is 75%, and the test is taken at NCAA Headquarters in Abuja or the Regional Offices in Lagos, Kaduna and Enugu.

Difficulty depends on your ground-school preparation. The syllabus covers aircraft systems, powerplants, instruments and related limitations, so questions often require applying knowledge to practical scenarios rather than simple recall. A pass mark of 75% means you need a solid understanding across all topics, not just a few favourite areas.

Applicants who fail a knowledge test can apply to retake it after presenting evidence of having received additional instructions from an Authorised Instructor in the areas of deficiencies. This means you must address your weak areas with an instructor before you can sit the test again, so review your result carefully and plan remedial training.

Knowledge test results are valid for 24 calendar months from the date of issuance of the result. You must complete the remaining requirements for licence issue within that period, or the test may need to be retaken. Keep track of the expiry date and plan your flight training and checkrides accordingly.

The syllabi and requirements for all knowledge tests can be found in Advisory Circular NCAA-AC-PEL 018, located under Personnel Licensing Advisory Circulars on the Authority website at www.ncaa.gov.ng/documents. Use this document as your primary study guide, because it defines exactly what the NCAA expects you to know.

Applications to take NCAA knowledge tests can be submitted at the Authority's Headquarters in Abuja and the Regional Offices located in Lagos, Kaduna and Enugu. Contact the office most convenient for you to confirm available test dates and any application requirements before travelling.

Start with airframe and systems, then move to powerplants, electrical and hydraulic systems, and flight instruments. Finish with limitations and emergency procedures, because these integrate knowledge from all systems. Use the NCAA-AC-PEL 018 syllabus as a checklist, and attempt practice questions after each topic to identify gaps early.

Common failure modes include superficial memorisation without understanding how systems interact, neglecting less familiar topics such as electrical or hydraulic systems, and misreading questions under time pressure. Another frequent issue is not reviewing the syllabus to ensure full coverage. Focus on understanding principles and practising application-style questions.