CAAP CPL Knowledge Exam key terms

A mandatory notice issued by the state of registry requiring inspection, modification, or repair of an aircraft or component to correct an unsafe condition. Compliance is legally required and must be recorded in the aircraft maintenance log.

A document confirming that an aircraft conforms to its approved type design and is safe to operate. It remains valid only while maintenance, equipment, and operating conditions continue to meet the applicable requirements.

An approved document listing items of equipment that may be inoperative while the aircraft is dispatched, subject to specified conditions and procedures. It allows limited deferral of defects without compromising safety.

Rules under which a pilot may operate by visual reference to the ground, subject to specified flight visibility and distance-from-cloud minima. The pilot remains responsible for see-and-avoid and terrain clearance.

Rules governing flight in instrument meteorological conditions or in controlled airspace under IFR, requiring an instrument rating, an approved flight plan, and compliance with ATC clearances and instrument approach procedures.

Weather conditions equal to or better than the prescribed visibility and cloud-clearance minima for the airspace class concerned. In VMC, flight under visual flight rules is normally permitted.

Weather conditions below the prescribed visibility or cloud-clearance minima for visual flight. Flight in IMC requires an instrument rating and, in controlled airspace, an IFR clearance.

The angle between the chord line of a wing and the relative airflow. Increasing angle of attack raises lift up to the critical angle, beyond which the airflow separates and the wing stalls.

The angle of attack at which airflow separation begins and the wing produces maximum lift. A wing stalls whenever this angle is exceeded, regardless of airspeed, attitude, or weight.

The ratio of total lift produced to the aircraft's weight, expressed in g. It increases in turns and manoeuvres, raising stall speed and structural stress on the airframe.

The point through which the total weight of the aircraft is considered to act. Its position must remain within approved forward and aft limits for controllability and performance.

The calculation ensuring the aircraft's take-off and landing mass and centre of gravity position fall within certified limits, accounting for crew, fuel, payload, and baggage distribution.

The horizontal distance from a reference datum to the point where a mass acts. Multiplying mass by moment arm gives the moment used to locate the centre of gravity.

Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature. High density altitude reduces engine power, propeller thrust, and wing lift, lengthening take-off and landing distances.

The altitude indicated when the altimeter subscale is set to the standard pressure of 1013.25 hPa. It is used for flight levels and performance calculations rather than terrain clearance.

The pressure setting that, when entered on the altimeter subscale, causes the instrument to indicate elevation above mean sea level at the reporting station. It is used below the transition altitude.

The altitude in the vicinity of an aerodrome at or below which the altimeter is set to local pressure and above which the standard setting is used. It separates altitude from flight level operation.

The speed of the aircraft through the surrounding air mass, corrected for air density and compressibility. It is used in navigation calculations and increases with altitude for a given indicated airspeed.

The speed shown on the airspeed indicator, derived from the difference between pitot and static pressure. It is the primary reference for aircraft handling and limiting speeds.

The speed of the aircraft over the ground, obtained by applying wind velocity to true airspeed. It determines flight time, fuel required, and arrival estimates.

A vector diagram relating true heading and true airspeed, wind direction and speed, and the resulting track and groundspeed. It is the basis for drift and heading calculations.

A system of pressure sources and lines supplying the airspeed indicator, altimeter, and vertical speed indicator. Blockages cause erroneous readings, particularly when the pitot tube or static port is obstructed.

The study of how human capabilities and limitations interact with equipment, procedures, and the operating environment. It addresses error, workload, fatigue, and crew coordination to improve safety.

A pilot's accurate perception and understanding of aircraft state, environment, and crew, together with the ability to predict what will happen next. Loss of it often precedes errors and accidents.

The effective use of all available resources, including crew, equipment, and information, to achieve safe and efficient flight. It emphasises communication, leadership, and decision-making.

A deficiency of oxygen reaching body tissues, causing impaired judgement, euphoria, and loss of consciousness at altitude. It is insidious because affected pilots often fail to recognise their own symptoms.

A false perception of position or motion relative to the earth, usually when visual references are lost. Pilots must rely on instruments rather than sensations to maintain control.

The rate at which a rising parcel of air cools as it expands. The saturated rate is lower than the dry rate because latent heat is released as water vapour condenses.

The temperature to which air must be cooled at constant pressure to become saturated. A small temperature-dew point spread indicates high humidity and a greater likelihood of cloud or fog.

The accumulation of ice on airframe or engine components in supercooled cloud or precipitation. It increases weight and drag and reduces lift, making early diversion or de-icing essential.

A change in wind speed or direction over a short distance, often associated with fronts, thunderstorms, or inversions. Low-level wind shear can cause sudden, dangerous airspeed changes near the ground.

A ground-based navigation aid transmitting radial information in the VHF band. An aircraft receiver determines the bearing from the station, allowing position fixing and course tracking.

A transponder-based system that measures slant range to a ground station, usually paired with VOR or ILS. It provides continuous distance information but is affected by aircraft altitude.

A precision approach aid providing lateral guidance from a localiser and vertical guidance from a glidepath, together with range information. It supports approaches in low visibility to defined minima.

An airborne radio that replies to secondary surveillance radar interrogations, transmitting a selected squawk code and, when enabled, pressure altitude. It enables identification and altitude reporting to ATC.

The repetition of an ATC clearance or instruction by the pilot to confirm correct receipt. It is required for safety-critical items such as runway, heading, altitude, and frequency instructions.

A certification, signed by authorised maintenance personnel, confirming that specified work has been completed and the aircraft is fit for return to service within defined limits.