1.

AIR LAW AND ATC PROCEDURES

International law: conventions, agreements and organisations

The Convention on international civil aviation (Chicago)  Doc. 7300/6

Part I  Air Navigation: relevant parts of the following chapters:

(a)         general principles and application of the convention;

(b)        flight over territory of Contracting States;

(c)         nationality of aircraft;

(d)        measures to facilitate air navigation;
(e)         conditions to be fulfilled on aircraft;

(f)          international standards and recommended practices; 

(g)         validity of endorsed certificates and licences;

(h)        notification of differences.

x

x

Part II  The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO): objectives and composition

x

x

Annex 8: Airworthiness of aircraft

Foreword and definitions 

x

x

Certificate of airworthiness

x

x

Annex 7: Aircraft nationality and registration marks 

Foreword and definitions

x

x

Common- and registration marks

x

x

Certificate of registration and aircraft nationality

x

x

Annex 1: Personnel licensing

Definitions

x

x

Relevant parts of Annex 1 connected to Part-FCL and Part-Medical

x

x

Annex 2: Rules of the air 

Essential definitions, applicability of the rules of the air, general rules (except water operations), visual flight rules, signals and interception of civil aircraft

x

x

Procedures for air navigation: aircraft operations doc. 8168-ops/611, volume 1

Altimeter setting procedures (including

IACO doc. 7030 – regional supplementary procedures)

Basic requirements (except tables),

procedures applicable to operators and pilots (except tables)

x

x

Secondary surveillance radar transponder operating procedures (including ICAO Doc. 7030 – regional supplementary procedures)

Operation of transponders

x

x

Phraseology

x

x

Annex 11: Doc. 4444 air traffic management 

Definitions

x

x

General provisions for air traffic services

x

x

Visual separation in the vicinity of aerodromes

x

x

Procedures for aerodrome control services

x

x

Radar services

x

x

Flight information service and alerting service

x

x

Phraseologies

x

x

Procedures related to emergencies, communication failure and contingencies

x

x

Annex 15: Aeronautical information service 

Introduction, essential definitions

x

x

AIP, NOTAM, AIRAC and AIC

x

x

Annex 14, volume 1 and 2: Aerodromes

Definitions

x

x

Aerodrome data: conditions of the movement area and related facilities

x

x

Visual aids for navigation:

(a)         indicators and signalling devices;

(b)         markings;

(c)         lights;

(d)         signs;

(e)         markers.

x

x

Visual aids for denoting obstacles:

(a)         marking of objects;

(b)        lighting of objects.

x

x

Visual aids for denoting restricted use of areas

x

x

Emergency and other services:

(a)         rescue and fire fighting;

(b)         apron management service.

x

x

Annex 12: Search and rescue

Essential definitions

x

x

Operating procedures:

(a)         procedures for PIC at the scene of an accident;

(b)         procedures for PIC intercepting a distress transmission;

(c)         search and rescue signals.

x

x 

Search and rescue signals:

(a)         signals with surface craft;

(b)        ground or air visual signal code;

(c)         air or ground signals.

x

x

Annex 17: Security 

General: aims and objectives

x

x

Annex 13: Aircraft accident investigation

Essential definitions

x

x

Applicability

x

x

National law

National law and differences to relevant

ICAO Annexes and relevant EU regulations.

x

x

2.

HUMAN PERFORMANCE

Human factors: basic concepts

Human factors in aviation

Becoming a competent pilot

x

x

Basic aviation physiology and health maintenance

The atmosphere:

(a)         composition;

(b)        gas laws.

x 

x

Respiratory and circulatory systems: 

(a)         oxygen requirement of tissues;

(b)         functional anatomy;

(c)         main forms of hypoxia (hypoxic and anaemic):

(1)         sources, effects and countermeasures of carbon monoxide;

(2)         counter measures and hypoxia;

(3)         symptoms of hypoxia.

(d)         hyperventilation;

(e)         the effects of accelerations on the circulatory system;

(f)          hypertension and coronary heart disease.

x

x

Man and environment

Central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems

x

x

Vision:

(a)         functional anatomy;

(b)         visual field, foveal and peripheral vision;

(c)         binocular and monocular vision;

(d)         monocular vision cues;

(e)         night vision;

(f)          visual scanning and detection techniques and importance of ‘look-out’;

(g) defective vision.

x

x

Hearing:

(a)         descriptive and functional anatomy;

(b)         flight related hazards to hearing;

(c)         hearing loss.

x

x

Equilibrium:

(a)         functional anatomy;

(b)        motion and acceleration;

(c)         motion sickness.

x

x

Integration of sensory inputs:

(a)         spatial disorientation: forms, recognition and avoidance;

x

x

(b)         illusions: forms, recognition and avoidance: 

(1)         physical origin;

(2)         physiological origin;

(3)         psychological origin.

(c)         approach and landing problems.

Health and hygiene

Personal hygiene: personal fitness 

x

x

Body rhythm and sleep:

(a)         rhythm disturbances;

(b)         symptoms, effects and management.

x

x

Problem areas for pilots: 

(a)         common minor ailments including cold, influenza and gastro-intestinal upset;

(b)         entrapped gases and barotrauma, (scuba diving);

(c)         obesity;

(d)         food hygiene; 

(e)         infectious diseases;

(f)          nutrition;

(g)         various toxic gases and materials.

x

x

Intoxication: 

x

x

(a)         prescribed medication;

(b)         tobacco;

(c)         alcohol and drugs;

(d)         caffeine;

(e)         self-medication.

Basic aviation psychology

Human information processing

Attention and vigilance:

(a)         selectivity of attention;

(b)        divided attention.

x

x

Perception:

(A)        perceptual illusions;

(B)        subjectivity of perception;

(C)        processes of perception.

x

x

Memory:

(a)         sensory memory;

(b)         working or short term memory;

(c)         long term memory to include motor memory (skills).

x

x

Human error and reliability

Reliability of human behaviour

x

x

Error generation: social environment (group, organisation)

x

x

Decision making

Decision-making concepts:

x

x

(a)         structure (phases);

(b)         limits;

(c)         risk assessment;

(d)         practical application.

Avoiding and managing errors: cockpit management

Safety awareness: 

(a)         risk area awareness;

(b)         situational awareness.

x

x

Communication: verbal and non-verbal communication

x

x

Human behaviour

Personality and attitudes: 

(a)         development;

(b)         environmental influences.

x

x

Identification of hazardous attitudes (error proneness)

x

x

Human overload and underload

Arousal

x

x

Stress: 

(a)         definition(s);

(b)        anxiety and stress;

(c)         effects of stress.

x

x

Fatigue and stress management:

(a)         types, causes and symptoms of fatigue;

(b)         effects of fatigue;

(c)         coping strategies;

(d)         management techniques;

(e)         health and fitness programmes;

x

x

3.

METEOROLOGY

The atmosphere

Composition, extent and vertical division

Structure of the atmosphere

Troposphere

x

x

x

x

Air temperature

Definition and units

Vertical distribution of temperature

Transfer of heat

Lapse rates, stability and instability

Development of inversions and types of inversions

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Temperature near the earth’s surface, surface effects, diurnal and seasonal variation, effect of clouds and effect of wind

x

x

Atmospheric pressure

Barometric pressure and isobars

x

x

Pressure variation with height

Reduction of pressure to mean sea level 

Relationship between surface pressure centres and pressure centres aloft

x

x

x

x

x

x

Air density

Relationship between pressure, temperature and density

x

x

ISA

ICAO standard atmosphere

x

x

Altimetry

Terminology and definitions

Altimeter and altimeter settings

Calculations

Effect of accelerated airflow due to topography

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Wind

Definition and measurement of wind

Definition and measurement

x

x

Primary cause of wind

Primary cause of wind, pressure gradient, coriolis force and gradient wind

x

x

Variation of wind in the friction layer

Effects of convergence and divergence 

x

x

x

x

General global circulation

General circulation around the globe

x

x

Local winds

Anabatic and katabatic winds, mountain and valley winds, Venturi effects, land and sea breezes

x

x

Mountain waves (standing waves, lee waves)

Origin and characteristics

x

x

Turbulence

Description and types of turbulence

x

x

Formation and location of turbulence

x

x

THERMODYNAMICS

Humidity

Water vapour in the atmosphere

x

x

Mixing ratio

x

x

Temperature/dew point, relative humidity

x

x

Change of state of aggregation

Condensation, evaporation, sublimation, freezing and melting, latent heat

x

x

Adiabatic processes

Adiabatic processes, stability of the atmosphere

x

x

CLOUDS AND FOG

Cloud formation and description

Cooling by adiabatic expansion and by advection

x

x

Cloud types and cloud classification

x

x

Influence of inversions on cloud development

x

x

Fog, mist, haze

General aspects

x

x

Radiation fog

x

x

Advection fog

x

x

Steaming fog

x

x

Frontal fog

x

x

Orographic fog (hill fog)

x

x

PRECIPITATION

Development of precipitation

Processes of development of precipitation

x

x

Types of precipitation

Types of precipitation, relationship with cloud types

x

x

AIR MASSES AND FRONTS

Air masses

Description, classification and source regions of air masses

x

x

Modifications of air masses

x

x

Fronts

General aspects

x

x

Warm front, associated clouds, and weather

x

x

Cold front, associated clouds, and weather

x

x

Warm sector, associated clouds, and weather

x

x

Weather behind the cold front

x

x

Occlusions, associated clouds, and weather

x

x

Stationary front, associated clouds, and weather

x

x

Movement of fronts and pressure systems, life cycle

x

x

Changes of meteorological elements at a frontal wave

x

x

PRESSURE SYSTEMS

Anticyclone

Anticyclones, types, general properties, cold and warm anticyclones, ridges and wedges, subsidence

x

x

Non-frontal depressions

Thermal, orographic and polar depressions, troughs

x

x

CLIMATOLOGY

Climatic zones

General seasonal circulation in the troposphere

x

x

Typical weather situations in the mid-latitudes

Westerly situation

x

x

High-pressure area

x

x

Flat-pressure pattern

x

x

Local winds and associated weather

e.g. Foehn

x

x

FLIGHT HAZARDS

Icing

Conditions for ice accretion

x

x

Types of ice accretion

x

x

Hazards of ice accretion, avoidance

x

x

Turbulence

Effects on flight, avoidance

x

x

Wind shear

Definition of wind shear

x

x

Weather conditions for wind shear

x

x

Effects on flight, avoidance

x

x

Thunderstorms

Conditions for, and process of, development, forecast, location, type specification

x

x

Structure of thunderstorms, life cycle, squall lines, electricity in the atmosphere, static charges

x

x

Electrical discharges

Development and effects of downbursts

x

x

Thunderstorm avoidance

x

x

Inversions

Influence on aircraft performance

x

x

Hazards in mountainous areas

Influence of terrain on clouds and precipitation, frontal passage

x

x

Vertical movements, mountain waves, wind shear, turbulence, ice accretion

x

x

Development and effect of valley inversions

x

x

Visibility-reducing phenomena

Reduction of visibility caused by precipitation and obscuration

x

x

Reduction of visibility caused by other phenomena

x

x

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

Observation

Surface observations

x

x

Radiosonde observations

x

x

Satellite observations

x

x

Weather radar observations

x

x

Aircraft observations and reporting

x

x

Weather charts

Significant weather charts

x

x

Surface charts

x

x

Information for flight planning

Aviation weather messages

x

x

Meteorological broadcasts for aviation

x

x

Use of meteorological documents

x

x

Meteorological warnings

x

x

Meteorological services

World area forecast system (WAFS) and meteorological offices

x

x

4.

COMMUNICATIONS

VFR COMMUNICATIONS

Definitions

Meanings and significance of associated terms 

x

x

ATS abbreviations

x

x

Q-code groups commonly used in RTF airground communications

x

x

Categories of messages

x

x

General operating procedures

Transmission of letters

x

x

Transmission of numbers (including level information)

x

x

Transmission of time

x

x

Transmission technique

x

x

Standard words and phrases (relevant RTF phraseology included)

x

x

R/T call signs for aeronautical stations including use of abbreviated call signs

x

x

R/T call signs for aircraft including use of abbreviated call signs

x

x

Transfer of communication

x

x

Test procedures including readability scale

x

x

Read back and acknowledgement requirements

x

x

Relevant weather information terms (VFR)

Aerodrome weather

x

x

Weather broadcast

x

x

Action required to be taken in case of communication failure

x

x

Distress and urgency procedures

Distress (definition, frequencies, watch of distress frequencies, distress signal and distress message)

x

x

Urgency (definition, frequencies, urgency signal and urgency message)

x

x

General principles of VHF propagation and allocation of frequencies

x

x

5.

PRINCIPLES OF FLIGHT

5.1.

PRINCIPLES OF FLIGHT: AEROPLANE

Subsonic aerodynamics

Basics concepts, laws and definitions

Laws and definitions:

x

x

(a)         conversion of units;

(b)         Newton´s laws;

(c)         Bernoulli’s equation and venture;

(d)         static pressure, dynamic pressure and total pressure;

(e)         density;

(f)          IAS and TAS. 

Basics about airflow:

(a)         streamline;

(b)         two-dimensional airflow;

(c)         three-dimensional airflow.

x

x

Aerodynamic forces on surfaces:

(a)         resulting airforce;

(b)         lift;

(c)         drag;

(d)         angle of attack.

x

x

Shape of an aerofoil section:

(a)         thickness to chord ratio;

(b)         chord line;

(c)         camber line;

(d)         camber;

(e)         angle of attack.

x

x

The wing shape:

(a)         aspect ratio;

(b)         root chord;

(c)         tip chord;

(d)         tapered wings;

(e)         wing planform.

x

x

The two-dimensional airflow about an aerofoil

Streamline pattern

x

x

Stagnation point

x

x

Pressure distribution

x

x

Centre of pressure

x

x

Influence of angle of attack

x

x

Flow separation at high angles of attack

x

x

The lift – α graph

x

x

The coefficients

The lift coefficient C_l: the lift formula

x

x

The drag coefficient C_d: the drag formula

x

x

The three-dimensional airflow round a wing and a fuselage

Streamline pattern:

(a)         span-wise flow and causes;

(b)         tip vortices and angle of attack;

(c)         upwash and downwash due to tip vortices;

(d)         wake turbulence behind an aeroplane (causes, distribution and duration of the phenomenon).

x

x

Induced drag:

(a)         influence of tip vortices on the angle of attack;

(b)         the induced local α;

(c)         influence of induced angle of attack on the direction of the lift vector;

(d)        induced drag and angle of attack.

x

x

Drag 

The parasite drag:

(a)         pressure drag;
(b)        interference drag;

(c)         friction drag.

x

x

The parasite drag and speed

x

x

The induced drag and speed

x

x

The total drag

x

x

The ground effect

Effect on take off and landing characteristics of an aeroplane

x

x

The stall

Flow separation at increasing angles of attack:

(a)         the boundary layer:

(1)         laminar layer;
(2)         turbulent layer;

(3)         transition.

(b)         separation point;

(c)         influence of angle of attack;
(d)        influence on:

(1)         pressure distribution;

(2)         location of centre of pressure;

(3)         C_L;

(4)         C_D;

(5)         pitch moments.

(e)         buffet;

(f)          use of controls.

x

x

The stall speed:

(a)         in the lift formula;

(b)        1g stall speed;

(c)         influence of:

(1)         the centre of gravity;

(2)         power setting;

(3)         altitude (IAS);

(4)         wing loading;

(5)         load factor n:

(i)          definition;

(ii)         turns;

(iii)        forces.

x

x

The initial stall in span-wise direction:

(a)         influence of planform;

(b)        geometric twist (wash out);

(c)         use of ailerons.

x

x

Stall warning:

(a)         importance of stall warning;

(b)        speed margin;

(c)         buffet;

(d)        stall strip; 

(e)         flapper switch;

(f)          recovery from stall.

x

x

Special phenomena of stall:

(a)         the power-on stall;

(b)        climbing and descending turns;
(c)         t-tailed aeroplane;
(d)        avoidance of spins:

(1)         spin development;
(2)         spin recognition;

(3)         spin recovery.

(e)         ice (in stagnation point and on surface):

(1)         absence of stall warning;

(2)         abnormal behaviour of the aircraft during stall.

x

x

CL augmentation

Trailing edge flaps and the reasons for use in take-off and landing:

(a)         influence on C_L - α-graph;

(b)        different types of flaps;

(c)         flap asymmetry;

(d)        influence on pitch movement.

x

x

Leading edge devices and the reasons for use in take-off and landing

x

x

The boundary layer

Different types:

(a)         laminar;

(b)        turbulent.

x

x

Special circumstances

Ice and other contamination: 

(a)         ice in stagnation point;

(b)         ice on the surface (frost, snow and clear ice);

(c)         rain;

(d)         contamination of the leading edge;

(e)         effects on stall;

(f)          effects on loss of controllability;

(g)         effects on control surface moment;

(h)         influence on high lift devices during takeoff, landing and low speeds.

x

x

Stability

Condition of equilibrium in steady horizontal flight

Precondition for static stability

x

x

Equilibrium: 

(a)         lift and weight;

(b)         drag and thrust.

x

x

Methods of achieving balance

Wing and empennage (tail and canard)

x

x

Control surfaces

x

x

Ballast or weight trim

x

x

Static and dynamic longitudinal stability

Basics and definitions:

(a)         static stability, positive, neutral and negative;

(b)         precondition for dynamic stability;

(c)         dynamic stability, positive, neutral and negative.

x

x

Location of centre of gravity: 

(a)         aft limit and minimum stability margin;

(b)         forward position;

(c)         effects on static and dynamic stability.

x

x

Dynamic lateral or directional stability

Spiral dive and corrective actions 

x

x

Control

General

Basics, the three planes and three axis

x

x

Angle of attack change

x

x

Pitch control

Elevator

x

x

Downwash effects

x

x

Location of centre of gravity

x

x

Yaw control

Pedal or rudder

x

x

Roll control

Ailerons: function in different phases of flight

x

x

Adverse yaw

x

x

Means to avoid adverse yaw:

(a)         frise ailerons;

(b)         differential ailerons deflection.

x

x

Means to reduce control forces

Aerodynamic balance: 

(a)         balance tab and anti-balance tab;

(b)        servo tab.

x

x

Mass balance

Reasons to balance: means

x

x

Trimming

Reasons to trim

x

x

Trim tabs

x

x

Limitations

Operating limitations

Flutter

x

x

v_fe

x

x

v_no, v_ne

x

x

Manoeuvring envelope

Manoeuvring load diagram:

(a)         load factor;

(b)         accelerated stall speed;

(c)         v_a;

(d)         manoeuvring limit load factor or certification category.

x

x

Contribution of mass

x

x

Gust envelope

Gust load diagram

x

x

Factors contributing to gust loads

x

x

Propellers

Conversion of engine torque to thrust

Meaning of pitch

x

x

Blade twist

x

x

Effects of ice on propeller

x

x

Engine failure or engine stop

Windmilling drag

x

x

Moments due to propeller operation

Torque reaction

x

x

Asymmetric slipstream effect

x

x

Asymmetric blade effect

x

x

Flight mechanics

Forces acting on an aeroplane

Straight horizontal steady flight

x

x

Straight steady climb

x

x

Straight steady descent

x

x

Straight steady glide

x

x

Steady coordinated turn: 

(a)         bank angle;

(b)         load factor;

(c)         turn radius;

(d)        rate one turn.

x

x

5.2.

PRINCIPLES OF FLIGHT: HELICOPTER

Subsonic aerodynamics

Basic concepts, laws and definitions

x

x

Conversion of units 

x

x

Definitions and basic concepts about air:

x

x

(a)         the atmosphere and International Standard Atmosphere;

(b)         density;

(c)         influence of pressure and temperature on density.

Newton’s laws:

(a)         Newton’s second law: Momentum equation;

(b)         Newton’s third law: action and reaction.

x

x

Basic concepts about airflow:

(a)         steady airflow and unsteady airflow;

(b)         Bernoulli’s equation;

(c)         static pressure, dynamic pressure, total pressure and stagnation point;

(d)         TAS and IAS;

(e)         two-dimensional airflow and three-dimensional airflow;

(f)          viscosity and boundary layer.

x

x

Two-dimensional airflow 

x

x

Aerofoil section geometry:

(a)         aerofoil section;

(b)         chord line, thickness and thickness to chord ratio of a section;

(c)         camber line and camber;

(d)         symmetrical and asymmetrical aerofoils sections.

x

x