CAA NZ ATPL Instruments & Navaids study plan

Explain how a VOR ground station produces the phase difference between the reference and variable signals, and derive the bearing from a given OBS/CDI indication

Convert between radial, magnetic bearing and relative bearing for at least ten VOR/ADF scenarios, including station passage and cone-of-confusion behaviour

Describe DME slant-range error and compute the expected DME reading at a stated altitude and ground distance

Distinguish the four ILS components (localiser, glidepath, marker/ DME, approach lighting) and state the standard coverage, frequencies and fly-up/fly-down indications

Interpret NDB/ADF indications including relative bearing, magnetic bearing, quadrantal error and coastal refraction effects

Explain the coverage, accuracy and failure modes of each radio navaid and predict what the cockpit indication shows when a component fails

Calculate time and distance to a station using the double-the-angle technique from given ADF and VOR readings

Draw the standard ILS approach profile and label decision height, glidepath angle, threshold crossing height and missed-approach point

Compare RNAV and RNP, and state what on-board performance monitoring and alerting adds to each specification

Interpret RNP AR, LNAV/VNAV, LPV and LNAV minima lines on a chart and identify which sensor each depends on

Explain GNSS segment architecture, receiver autonomous integrity monitoring and fault detection and exclusion in operational terms

Describe the causes of RAIM unavailability and predict whether a given satellite geometry and time window supports the planned approach

Derive the relationship between static pressure, altitude and indicated airspeed, and explain position error, compressibility error and density error

Interpret a pitot-static system diagram and diagnose the indication pattern produced by a blocked pitot, blocked static and leaking static source

Explain how an air data computer combines pitot-static, temperature and angle-of-attack inputs and what outputs it supplies to displays and automation

Convert between indicated, calibrated, true and density altitude for at least eight given scenarios

Explain the operating principle, degrees of freedom and erection behaviour of the attitude indicator, heading indicator and rate-of-turn indicator

Predict the indications of a failed or tumbled gyro and state the correct recovery action for each instrument

Resolve the Earth's magnetic field into horizontal and vertical components and explain variation, deviation, dip and the resulting compass turning and acceleration errors

Complete a compass swing and deviation-card exercise, calculating residual deviation from given headings

Explain primary and secondary radar principles, transponder modes, range and azimuth resolution, and the operational limitations of each

Describe TCAS/ACAS logic including traffic advisories, resolution advisories, the manoeuvre sense and the correct response to a RA

Compare GPWS and TAWS modes, and identify which mode warns for excessive descent rate, terrain closure and premature descent

Interpret weather radar returns, attenuation, shadowing and tilt management, and state the limitations of airborne radar in avoiding convective hazard

Describe the control laws and modes of an automatic flight control system, including autopilot, flight director, yaw damper and autothrottle interaction

Explain flight management system operation from route entry through performance prediction and lateral/vertical navigation

Interpret electronic display formats including primary flight display, navigation display, engine indication and crew alerting system annunciations

Plot a multi-leg route on a chart, apply variation and deviation, and compute track, heading, groundspeed and ETA for each leg

Consolidate all nine domains by rewriting weak-topic notes into one-page summaries

Complete two full-length timed mock exams under exam conditions and record the score per domain

Analyse every incorrect answer, classify the error as knowledge, interpretation or arithmetic, and close each gap with a written correction

Rehearse rapid recall of key figures such as VOR accuracy, ILS coverage, RNP values and TCAS RA parameters