NZ CAA PPL Navigation exam-day guide
NZ CAA PPL Navigation · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID
Bring valid photo identification (e.g., passport or driver licence). Confirm with the provider which forms of ID they accept and whether a specific document is required for admission.
Exam appointment confirmation
Carry the booking confirmation or reference number, plus the name and address of the test venue, in case you need to contact the provider on the day.
Approved calculator
Check with the provider whether a calculator is permitted and which models are approved. If allowed, bring a non-programmable type and know how to use it for fuel, time, distance, and wind-triangle calculations.
Navigation tools
Confirm which plotting tools (e.g., protractor, scale ruler, flight computer) the provider allows into the exam room. Practise with exactly the tools you will use on the day.
Current charts and publications knowledge
The exam tests chart reading and flight planning. Confirm with the provider which chart editions or extracts are supplied and whether you must memorise any data. Do not rely on outdated editions.
Formula and conversion sheet
Prepare a one-page summary of key relationships (e.g., GS = distance/time, fuel burn, wind triangle, unit conversions). Confirm the provider allows notes; if not, use it only for revision before the exam.
Exam rules summary
Read the provider's candidate handbook for time limits, permitted materials, and scoring. Confirm pass marks and whether sections are scored separately.
Arrival time plan
Plan to arrive early enough to complete any check-in or security process. Confirm the required arrival time with the provider; do not assume a standard buffer.
Route and contingency plan
Check transport, parking, and a backup route to the venue. Allow extra time for traffic or weather disruption.
Rest and hydration plan
Plan a normal night's sleep and a light meal before the exam. Avoid last-minute cramming that displaces rest.
Practice under timed conditions
Complete at least one full-length practice paper under exam conditions using only permitted materials. This is preparation, not an item to bring, but confirm the format with the provider.
Contact details for the provider
Save the provider's phone number and email in case of delay, illness, or venue problems. Confirm their cancellation and rescheduling policy in advance.
Plan the day
Finish content review and switch to consolidation. Re-read your formula sheet, practise chart-reading and flight-planning questions, and confirm the exam format, permitted materials, and venue details with the provider. Resolve any uncertainty about calculators, plotting tools, or supplied charts now, not on the day.
Complete one full timed practice paper. Review every wrong answer and identify the underlying concept rather than memorising the question. Focus on weak areas such as wind-triangle calculations, fuel planning, or chart symbology.
Do a light review only: formula sheet, unit conversions, and common chart symbols. Pack your ID, confirmation, approved calculator, and permitted tools. Confirm transport and arrival time. Avoid new material and get a full night's sleep.
Eat a normal meal, re-check you have your ID and confirmation, and leave with a buffer for delays. Do a brief, calm review of formulas only. Arrive at the venue with time to complete check-in.
Read the instructions and time limit carefully. Work through the paper at a steady pace, flagging difficult questions to return to. Show calculation steps where required and check units. Use remaining time to review flagged answers rather than leaving early.
Rules to check
Bring only materials the provider permits. Confirm the permitted-items list in advance and leave phones, smart watches, and unauthorised notes outside the exam room.
Present valid photo ID at check-in. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what happens if ID is missing.
Follow the provider's rules on breaks, leaving the room, and access to personal items. Confirm these rules before the exam day, as they vary between providers.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam and do not share or copy question content. Treat all exam material as confidential.
Confirm the time limit and pass mark with the provider. Do not assume a specific scoring policy; ask how sections are weighted and whether partial credit applies.
If you are ill or delayed, contact the provider as soon as possible. Confirm their cancellation, deferral, and rescheduling policy in advance.
Use only the charts, data, and tools supplied or approved by the provider. Confirm which chart editions are provided so you do not rely on outdated information.
Read each question fully and check units and rounding before answering. If a question is unclear, follow the provider's process for querying it rather than guessing silently.