CAA NZ CPL Aircraft Technical Knowledge study plan

Describe the layout and function of a light-aircraft fuel system, covering tanks, selector, strainer, engine-driven and boost pumps, primer, mixture control and tank venting, and explain what happens when a vent blocks or the selector is on the wrong tank.

Trace the lubrication path of a dry-sump engine from the sump through the pressure pump, filter, cooler, galleries and relief valve, and explain what each oil pressure and temperature indication reveals about that path.

Explain fuel grade and colour identification, causes of detonation and vapour lock, and the pre-flight contamination checks (sump draining, water and sediment detection) that prevent them.

Identify fire detection and extinguishing components fitted to piston singles and state the recognition cues and immediate actions for an in-flight engine fire.

Explain the DC electrical system of a light aircraft, covering battery, alternator or generator, voltage regulator, bus bar, master switch and circuit protection, and describe how an alternator failure presents on the ammeter and warning light.

Describe hydraulic system components (reservoir, pump, relief valve, selector, actuator) and compare them with the pneumatic and vacuum systems that drive gyros, de-ice boots and some brakes.

Explain each ice and rain protection device (carburettor heat, pitot heat, static source heat, propeller and airframe anti-ice or de-ice, windscreen protection) and state the operating limitations of each.

Diagnose five system-failure scenarios, naming the cockpit indication expected and the pilot action for each.

Explain lift generation, angle of attack, the lift curve and the stall, including how weight, load factor, density altitude and configuration shift the critical angle of attack and stall speed.

Differentiate induced, parasite, profile and interference drag, and sketch the thrust-required and power-required curves to explain the region of reversed command behind the drag curve.

Explain static and dynamic stability in pitch, roll and yaw, including dihedral effect, keel effect and the influence of centre of gravity position.

Describe primary and secondary flight controls, trim systems, flap types and their effects, and how balance, horn and spring tabs reduce control forces.

Explain asymmetric flight effects - slipstream, torque, P-factor and gyroscopic precession - and how each is countered in normal operations.

Describe the four-stroke cycle and valve timing, and explain volumetric efficiency and the factors that reduce it, including altitude, temperature, throttle position and induction leaks.

Explain carburettor metering through venturi, float chamber, main jet, economiser and accelerator pump, compare it with fuel injection types, and explain why each has different icing exposure.

Explain the magneto ignition system, impulse coupling, the magneto check and spark plug reading, and why dual independent magnetos are required.

Distinguish detonation from pre-ignition by cause, symptom and corrective action, and explain correct mixture leaning for altitude and power setting.

Revisit the aerodynamics topics missed in the week 3 quiz and restate each corrected concept in your own words.

Explain propeller theory, covering blade angle, geometric and effective pitch, helical path, angle of attack, slip and thrust, and compare fixed-pitch with constant-speed propellers.

Describe constant-speed governor operation, including flyweights, pilot valve, oil pressure against spring force, and the indications and handling of oil loss, overspeed and underspeed.

Explain engine handling: run-up and magneto checks, take-off, climb and cruise power settings, leaning procedure, shock cooling and why power changes are made gradually.

Interpret engine instruments and POH limitations for RPM, manifold pressure, CHT, EGT, oil pressure and oil temperature, and calculate how density altitude reduces available power.

Describe the load-bearing role of spar, rib, stringer, former, bulkhead, longeron, skin and attachment fittings, and distinguish stressed-skin construction from fabric-over-tube.

Compare truss, monocoque, semi-monocoque and composite construction, and explain the typical failure modes and inspection concerns of each.

Explain the stresses acting on airframe structures - tension, compression, shear, bending and torsion - and relate limit load, ultimate load, load factor and the V-n diagram to structural limits.

Identify the common corrosion types (galvanic, pitting, intergranular, exfoliation and stress corrosion) and where each is likely to appear on a typical light aircraft airframe.

Explain fatigue and the purpose of structural inspections and life limits for critical components.

Explain pitot-static instrument operation for the airspeed indicator, altimeter and vertical speed indicator, and predict the reading of each when the pitot tube or static source is blocked.

Explain gyroscopic instruments - attitude indicator, direction indicator and turn coordinator - through rigidity and precession, and describe their power sources and failure indications.

Describe magnetic compass errors, including variation, deviation, dip and turning and acceleration errors, and explain when each is most significant.

Calculate centre of gravity position from arms and moments, determine whether a given loading is within limits, and explain the handling and performance effects of forward and aft centre of gravity.

Calculate take-off, landing and climb performance from tabulated data, correcting for density altitude, wind and runway slope, and distinguish rate of climb from climb gradient.

Re-test the two domains with the lowest scores from earlier weeks and correct every remaining item in the error log.

Complete two full-length timed mock exams with question counts proportional to the syllabus weighting, under exam conditions without notes.

Cross-check the CAA NZ syllabus sub-topics for every domain against your notes and fill any uncovered gaps.

Write a one-page sheet of key limits and formulae - V speeds, engine limits, weight limits, performance corrections - from memory and verify it against source material.