If you're a student pilot in Australia pursuing your Private Pilot License (PPL), you will need to take the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) PPL theoretical exam. In this article, we'll provide you with all the essential information you need to know about the exam, including its format, pass mark, time limit, and other relevant details. We'll also share tips and advice on how to pass the exam and explain why you might choose the CASA PPL instead of the CASA RPL.
Who Must Take the CASA PPL Exam?
All student pilots in Australia who want to obtain a PPL must pass the CASA PPL exam. The exam covers a range of aviation theory topics that are essential for safe and efficient flying.
The Exam Format and Essential Details.
The CASA PPL theoretical exam consists of 7 broad subjects, including Air Law, Navigation, Meteorology, Aerodynamics, Human Factors, Aircraft General Knowledge, and Flight Planning and Performance. The pass mark for the exam is 70% and it contains 55-65 questions. The time limit for the exam is 3 hours and 30 minutes, and it consists of multiple-choice questions and fill-in-the-box answers. Approximately 10-15% of the questions require a fill-in-the-box answer. Don’t worry, they don’t ask for words or sentences, only numbers such as distances, weights, time or anything else that has a numerical value. CASA points out that each of these questions is tailored so that they can, in some cases, provide a tolerance for error. For example, the correct answer may be “5KM” with no tolerance for error, but in other cases there will be an allowance for slight differences in calculated answers. This is particularly the case with performance charts, weight and balance charts, and questions which require the use of a flight computer.
What Equipment is Allowed in the Exam?
During the exam, you will be provided with some basic things such as a pen, pencil, ruler, eraser and a scribble pad. You will also be given the RPL,PPL and CPL workbook which will be referenced throughout the exam. It includes performance charts and other resources which you will refer to in the exam. You can bring your own approved navigation tools, such as a navigation flight computer and a calculator.
Permitted Materials.
In addition to the items listed above, the candidate must choose one of the lists below and bring all of the listed items with them to the exam.
Airservices list:
CAR 1988
Part 61 of CASR
Part 91 of CASR and Part 91 MOS
CASR Part 91 plain English Guide
AC 91-02
AIP Book
ERSA
AUS PCA
Visual Flight Rules Guide (VFRG)
Sydney, Townsville and Bourke WACs
Navigation equipment
A basic calculator
Jeppesen list:
CAR 1988
Part 61 of CASR
Part 91 of CASR and Part 91 MOS
CASR Part 91 plain English Guide
AC 91-02
Jeppesen Airway Manual
AUS PCA
Visual Flight Rules Guide (VFRG)
Sydney, Townsville and Bourke WACs
Navigation equipment
A basic calculator
Where and When Can You Take the Exam?
The CASA PPL exam can be taken at approved testing centres across Australia. You can schedule your exam with the testing centre and choose a convenient time slot. Typically, it's recommended to take the exam towards the end of your PPL training, once you've covered all the necessary material.
Pass Rate and Difficulty.
The pass rate for the CASA PPL exam varies, but on average, it hovers around 62%. However, some subjects may be more challenging than others, and students may need to spend extra time revising certain topics. The exam has a reputation for being difficult, but this may be undeserved. It certainly requires a thorough understanding of the subject matter and CASA is known for writing tricky questions, so it's essential to read each question carefully and pay attention to details. Our practice exams are written by a real examiner who sees the real exams regularly. Our questions are very similar to the real ones and are written in the same style so you should have no surprises come exam day.
Tips and Advice for Passing the CASA PPL Exam.
To increase your chances of passing the CASA PPL exam, we recommend the following tips and advice:
Prepare thoroughly:
Start your exam preparation early and give yourself enough time to cover all the material.
Use practice exams:
Practice exams can help you get a sense of the exam format, identify your weak areas, and track your progress. Our pilot practice exams offer the largest and most up-to-date database of questions for student pilots in Australia. We cover all types of CASA questions and provide full explanations for each question.
Study effectively:
Don't just memorise the material; try to understand it and apply it to real-life scenarios. Make sure you’re studying with up-to-date material. Many of the text books do not cover the latest topics and do not keep up-to-date with changes in regulations. This is a common cause for failure on exam day with students exclaiming, “That was not in the book!”. Our online theory course covers the RPL and PPL theory in full and is always up-to-date. It allows you to study fresh material in an engaging way with interactive and neatly presented content, plus progress tests to check that you are absorbing the information and increase your confidence as you progress throughout the course. It’s high quality and you will love it!
Focus on tricky areas:
Spend extra time revising topics that you find challenging, such as airspace classifications, weather fronts, or performance calculations. The areas where student pilots suffer the most are:
ETA revisions
Calculating density height and pressure height
Interpreting and using Alpha, Bravo and Charlie loading systems (from the workbook)
Interpreting Meteorological forecasts
Using take-off and landing charts
Practice time management:
Practice time management during the exam by answering the easier questions first and allocating more time for the more challenging questions.
Pay attention to the wording of the questions:
CASA is known for writing questions that may seem tricky or have two correct answers.
Stay calm and confident:
On the day of the exam, stay calm, focused, and confident. Take deep breaths, read each question carefully, and eliminate obviously wrong answers.
Why Choose CASA PPL Instead of CASA RPL?
While both the CASA PPL and CASA RPL lead to a Pilot’s License, the PPL offers more flexibility and privileges. With a PPL, you can fly larger and more complex aircraft, carry more passengers and fly further than with an RPL. Additionally, the PPL is recognised internationally, whereas the RPL is only recognised in Australia. Therefore, if you plan to fly outside of Australia or pursue a career in aviation, the PPL may be the better choice. However, if you are only looking for a bit of leisure flying in the local area, then the RPL may be a more cost-effective option for you.
Example Questions and Common Topics.
Here are some example questions and common topics that may appear on the CASA PPL exam:
1. Given:
· Beginning of daylight GOLD COAST (28°09'21"S 153°30'06"E) is 0655LMT;
· End of daylight BRISBANE (27°23'35"S 153°06'29"E) is 1815LMT;
· Planned landing time is 30 minutes before the end of daylight.
What is the approximate time available for a VFR flight from GOLD COAST to BRISBANE if the planned landing time is to be achieved?
2. Given:
Elevation: 600ft
QNH: 1005hPA
Outside air temperature = +18°C.
Determine the density height.
3. What are the characteristics of Class C airspace?
4. Refer to loading system Bravo on page 11 of the workbook. An aircraft has a BEW of 1,370lbs and a moment index of 107 index units. The pilot and co-pilot weigh 390lbs combined and a single passenger in row two weighs 200lbs. The occupants intend to carry 100lbs of baggage in the baggage compartment. Assuming a specific gravity of 0.72, the maximum amount of fuel that can be carried is closest to:
Conclusion.
Passing the CASA PPL exam is no easy feat, but with the right preparation and mindset, you can confidently take on this challenge and come out on top. By following the tips and tricks we've outlined in this article, you can increase your chances of success and get one step closer to becoming a licensed pilot. And remember, practice makes perfect!
Our online theory course and practice exams provide everything you need to succeed. With the largest and most up-to-date practice exam database available, our study material has been carefully crafted to ensure you're fully prepared to tackle the real thing. Our comprehensive theory course covers all topics in detail, with interactive modules and video tutorials to help you understand the material thoroughly. Don't leave your success to chance - enrol in PPL Prep today and take the first step towards your dream of becoming a licensed pilot.
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