Commercial Pilot License (CPL) Written Exam

ADVANCE FLYING ACADEMY

Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

Written Exam

Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

Written Exam

The CPL written exam covers a range of advanced topics beyond what is required for a Private Pilot License (PPL). Here are the main subjects and some tips to guide your study:

1. Advanced Aerodynamics

- Study topics like high-speed aerodynamics, critical Mach number, shock waves, and compressibility effects.

- Review aerodynamic forces in unusual attitudes, such as during steep turns and stalls, and understand the effects of weight on performance.

2. Performance and Limitations

- Be ready to calculate and interpret aircraft performance data, including takeoff and landing distances, climb rates, and cruise performance.

- Understand how temperature, altitude, and weight affect performance.

3. Aircraft Systems

- Know advanced systems like pressurization, anti-icing and de-icing, turbocharging, constant-speed propellers, and retractable landing gear.

- Be familiar with the operation and troubleshooting of each system, as well as emergency procedures related to them.

4. Meteorology

- Study advanced weather concepts, such as frontal systems, thunderstorms, wind shear, and microbursts.

- Be able to interpret complex weather charts, including SIGMETs, AIRMETs, and convective outlooks.

5. Flight Planning and Navigation

- Prepare for questions on fuel planning, range calculations, alternate airport planning, and IFR navigation.

- Brush up on advanced chart interpretations and advanced navigation techniques like radio navigation, GPS, and dead reckoning.

6. Human Factors and CRM (Crew Resource Management)

- Learn about stress, fatigue, hypoxia, and how human factors can affect decision-making and performance.

- Understand principles of CRM, especially communication, situational awareness, and managing cockpit resources.

7. Regulations and Operating Procedures

- Expect questions on commercial aviation regulations, including those specific to operating commercially (like flight duty limitations, passenger-carrying limitations, and currency requirements).

- Know about required documentation, minimum equipment lists, and handling in-flight emergencies.

8. Weight and Balance

- Be prepared for more complex weight and balance scenarios, including calculations for multiple legs of a trip where fuel burn affects CG.

- Understand the impact of CG on performance and handling for commercial operations.

9. Instrument Knowledge

- Review IFR regulations and procedures, particularly if the CPL exam is integrated with an instrument rating.

- Be comfortable with instrument approach procedures, holding patterns, and IFR navigation.

Study Tips

- Use the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH): Many questions will be based on scenarios or situations where you need to interpret data from a POH.

- Practice Calculations: Work on time, fuel, and distance calculations, along with aircraft performance data interpretation.

- Take Practice Exams: This will familiarize you with the question format and timing.

- Use Mnemonics and Acronyms: They can help with memorizing emergency procedures, rules, and technical concepts.