CAA NZ Instrument Rating Navigation exam-day guide
CAA NZ Instrument Rating Navigation · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring a current passport or NZ driver licence with photo and signature. The exact ID types accepted for the navigation theory or flight-test briefing should be confirmed with the provider (CAA or your Part 141/Part 61 training organisation) when you book.
Admission/booking confirmation
Print or save offline the confirmation showing your candidate number, date, time, and venue. Phone coverage at airfield venues can be patchy, so keep an offline copy.
Current aeronautical charts and plotter
Bring the charts the exam permits (for example NZOA/visual navigation charts valid for the test date) plus a rotating plotter, navigation ruler, and fine-tip pencils. Confirm with the provider which chart editions and which aids are allowed into the room.
Approved calculator and flight computer
A non-programmable calculator or CRP-type flight computer is normally expected for fuel, time, and wind-triangle work. Confirm with the provider whether programmable or memory-enabled devices are barred.
Knowledge of the syllabus and pass standard
Review the CAA navigation syllabus and the current pass mark and re-sit rules. These can change, so confirm the exact pass standard and validity period with the provider rather than relying on older study notes.
Current weather and NOTAM awareness
If the day includes a flight component or a briefing, check METAR/TAF, TAF3, and NOTAMs for the departure, destination, and alternate aerodromes the evening before and again on the morning. Unforecast weather can change the plan.
Logbook and training records
Bring your pilot logbook and training-progress records if the session includes a flight test or pre-test briefing. Confirm with the provider which records must be presented.
Fuel, aircraft, and W&B prepared if flying
If a flight is scheduled, arrive with a completed weight-and-balance and fuel plan for the planned route, and know your diversion and alternate options. Confirm aircraft booking and availability with your operator.
Rest and personal readiness
Plan a full night's sleep and avoid heavy study the evening before. Fatigue degrades navigation calculation accuracy more than most candidates expect.
Venue logistics
Confirm the exact building, room, and arrival time, and allow extra time for airfield access, parking, and security. If unsure of the venue layout, confirm with the provider in advance.
Backup writing and timing tools
Bring spare pencils, an eraser, and a wristwatch or timer if the provider permits it, so you can pace long calculation questions without relying on a phone.
Plan the day
Re-read the CAA navigation syllabus and note any topic you cannot explain from memory. Spend the remaining time on those gaps rather than re-reading material you already know. Confirm the exact test format, permitted aids, and pass standard with the provider, since these details vary by assessment type and can change.
Do one full timed practice paper under exam conditions: charts out, no notes, no phone. Mark it strictly and log every error by cause (chart misread, arithmetic slip, unit conversion, wind-triangle setup, misunderstood question).
Target the top two or three error causes from the practice paper. Work through worked examples slowly, then repeat similar questions until the method is automatic. Keep a one-page summary of formulas, unit conversions, and chart symbols you keep getting wrong.
Do a light review only: your one-page summary, chart legend and symbology, and standard formulas. Do not start new topics. Pack the checklist items, charge devices, and confirm the venue, arrival time, and transport plan.
If a flight is scheduled, check the forecast, TAF3, and NOTAMs, and prepare a draft navigation and fuel plan. Confirm aircraft serviceability and booking with your operator, and confirm with the provider what weather minima or cancellation arrangements apply.
Eat normally, avoid alcohol, and aim for a full night's sleep. Set two alarms. Stop studying at a reasonable hour; last-minute cramming tends to increase arithmetic errors the next day.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive early with all checklist items. Re-check the latest METAR/TAF and NOTAMs if the day includes flying. Do not attempt to learn new material; skim only your one-page summary.
Read each question twice and underline what is actually being asked (track, heading, ground speed, ETA, fuel required, or fuel remaining). Sketch the geometry before calculating, and write units next to every number.
Pace yourself: note the total time and number of questions, and set a rough minutes-per-question budget. If a question stalls you, mark it, move on, and return with remaining time. Show working where permitted so partial credit or later checking is possible.
Before submitting, check for unit and sign errors, confirm you answered every question, and sanity-check results against rough estimates (for example, does the calculated ground speed make sense for the forecast wind?).
Note which topics felt weak while they are fresh, and confirm with the provider the result timeline, pass standard applied, and re-sit or appeal process if relevant.
Rules to check
Bring the identification the provider requires and present it on request; confirm the accepted ID types with the provider before test day.
Follow the provider's rules on permitted aids. Do not bring programmable calculators, notes, or unauthorised reference material into the test room unless explicitly permitted; confirm the permitted-aids list with the provider.
Phones and smart devices must normally be switched off and stored as directed. Confirm the provider's device policy in advance rather than assuming.
Ask the invigilator or examiner before leaving the room. Rules on breaks, toilet visits, and whether the clock stops vary; confirm with the provider.
Raise a hand and ask for clarification if a question is ambiguous or a chart is unclear. Do not guess silently about instructions; invigilators can clarify procedure even if they cannot interpret the question for you.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test and do not share or discuss question content afterwards. Treat all assessment material as confidential.
If a flight component is involved, the pilot in command retains responsibility for the safety of the flight. The examiner may discontinue the test for safety, weather, or aircraft serviceability reasons; confirm the discontinuation and re-test policy with the provider.
Understand how you will be scored before you start: confirm the pass mark, whether sections are weighted, and the validity period of a pass with the provider, as these details can change and are not safe to assume.