ATPL(A) Flight Planning (AFPA) Course with Nathan Higgins
Advanced Flight Theory’s ATPL(A) Flight Planning (AFPA) course provides comprehensive preparation for the CASA ATPL Flight Planning Aeroplane examination.
The course is available through both our Full-Time ATPL(A) Ground School and Distance Learning programs and combines comprehensive course notes, worked examples, revision material, Random Question Generators and online Practice CyberExams.
It is highly recommended that you complete the Performance and Loading course before completing Flight Planning as many of the concepts in Flight Planning are first introduced in Performance and Loading.
Our hybrid course combines high-quality printed study material with powerful online learning tools, giving you multiple ways to learn, practise and prepare for your CASA exams.
Course notes, revision tests and paper practice exams are provided in print, making it easy to highlight key concepts, work through questions and add your own notes as you study, helping to reinforce understanding and improve knowledge retention. Our Online Random Question Generators provide unlimited practice, allowing you to generate new questions as often as you like. Each calculation question includes a full step-by-step worked solution, helping you understand the method, identify weaker areas and build confidence through repeated practice. Our Online Practice CyberExams provide the final level of preparation, allowing you to test your knowledge under realistic exam-style conditions. Designed to reflect the style and difficulty of CASA examinations, they help you identify any remaining gaps, improve exam technique and build confidence before sitting the real exam.
Course Material Included
AFT’s AFPA course includes:
- AFT Flight Planning Notes and Revision Tests
- AFT Flight Planning Notes and Revision Tests Answers and Workings
- CASA B727 Performance and Operating Handbook
- Flight Planning Forms
- AFPA Paper Practice Exams
- AFPA Paper Practice Exam Answers and Workings
Online AFPA Random Question Generator Access
Unlimited access to Random Question Generators designed to be used alongside the course notes while studying. Students can generate additional questions as they work through Flight Planning calculations, helping reinforce the methods and processes covered in the course.
Each RQG creates a brand new, never seen before question covering an important calculation required to pass the subject’s CASA exam. After completing the calculation, you submit your answer and have the full workings presented so you can carefully check every part of your work. There are millions of different question data combinations, so you never do the same calculation twice. With unlimited practice on new questions, you will become fully prepared for any calculation on the topic that CASA presents to you!
Unlimited access with full step-by-step worked solutions for every calculation.
AFPA topics covered:
- B727 Maximum Payload and MBRW
- B727 Calculation of Climb Data
- B727 Selection of Maximum FL – One Engine Inoperative
- Mach to TAS Conversion
- Heading and Groundspeed
View AFT’s Random Question Generator Demo.
Online AFPA Practice CyberExam Access
- 4 Practice CyberExams × 2 attempts each
- First 4 exams: Unique, unseen questions
- Repeat attempts: Randomly regenerated and reshuffled
- 8 Premium Marking Credits included*
- Paper Answers and Workings included (to support online marked CyberExams)
- CASA-Style Knowledge Deficiency Report (KDR) – After each Practice CyberExam is marked, students receive a KDR identifying correct and incorrect responses, together with the relevant CASA syllabus references. The KDR helps students identify specific areas requiring further revision before progressing to their next Practice CyberExam or CASA examination.
* Full-Time and Distance Learning students who require additional practice may request additional Complimentary Marking Credits to support their ongoing preparation.
Our Online Practice CyberExams are designed to replicate CASA’s exam style and level of difficulty, giving you realistic exam preparation before sitting the real exam.
View AFT’s Practice CyberExam Demo.
ATPL Course Support
- Unlimited phone, text or email course support from expert instructors.
Amendment Service
- 12-month course note Amendment Service. *
*Amendments are provided on request during the 12-month amendment period. After 12 months, an upgrade fee, reprinting costs and postage fees will apply to any amendments or course upgrades requested.
What Will You Study in AFPA?
ATPL(A) Flight Planning begins with an examination of the effects of high-altitude and high-speed flight on jet engine performance and aircraft aerodynamics.
Students learn True Airspeed to Mach Number conversions and examine the important aerodynamic and performance considerations associated with operating aircraft at high Mach numbers and close to the speed of sound.
Once these concepts are understood, the course progresses into the major Flight Planning component of the CASA syllabus.
Students become progressively familiar with the Boeing 727 Performance and Operations Handbook, learning step-by-step how to plan RPT flights and accurately apply the aircraft’s performance data.
Flight planning calculations include Point of No Return (PNR) and Equi-Time Point (ETP) for:
- Normal Operations
- One Engine Inoperative flight
- Depressurised Cruise
The course also covers Yaw Damper failure, Buffet Boundary considerations and Alternate aerodrome requirements, together with the detailed calculations and operational decision-making required for more complex flight planning scenarios.
Extensive worked examples, revision questions and flight planning exercises are included throughout the course to help students develop the knowledge, calculation accuracy, speed and examination technique required for the CASA AFPA exam.
AFPA Full-Time Ground School – Sunshine Coast Airport
For students completing AFPA as part of AFT’s Full-Time ATPL(A) Ground School, the first week develops the underlying performance concepts before progressively introducing students to Boeing 727 Flight Planning.
Students work step-by-step through the B727 handbook and flight planning procedures until they can confidently complete RPT flight plans, including PNR and ETP calculations for normal, one-engine-inoperative and depressurised operations.
The second week is focused on consolidation and revision, allowing students to bring together the different elements of the subject and work through increasingly challenging Flight Planning problems.
Students then complete structured revision tests and their AFT AFPA Practice CyberExams in preparation for the CASA examination.
This progression from underlying theory, to guided Flight Planning, to independent calculations and final exam practice is designed to build both understanding and confidence throughout the course.
AFPA Distance Learning Study
The same comprehensive AFPA study material is also available through AFT’s Distance Learning program for students who prefer to study independently and progress through the subject at their own pace.
Distance Learning students receive AFT’s Flight Planning course material, worked examples, revision tests, Flight Planning forms, Random Question Generators and AFPA Practice CyberExams, providing multiple opportunities to practise the calculations and techniques required for the CASA examination.
More Practice. More Preparation.
AFT’s AFPA course provides three progressive levels of practice to help students build knowledge, speed and accuracy as they move from initial study through to final CASA exam preparation.
Online Random Question Generators (RQG)
Use the Random Question Generators alongside your course notes while working through the subject. Generate additional questions as you study key Flight Planning topics, helping reinforce calculation methods, build accuracy and develop confidence before progressing to full revision tests.
Paper Practice Exams (PPE) with Answers and Workings
Once the course notes have been completed, progress to the Paper Practice Exams to consolidate the full subject, practise complete Flight Planning problems, build calculation speed and accuracy, and identify any areas requiring further revision. Detailed answers and workings are provided.
Online APLA Practice CyberExams (CEX)
The final stage of preparation. Complete dedicated Practice CyberExams under exam-style conditions to test your Flight Planning knowledge, calculation skills and exam technique before sitting the CASA examination. Each marked CyberExam includes a CASA-style Knowledge Deficiency Report (KDR) to identify areas requiring further revision.
Hybrid learning by design.
Additional Material Required
Please Note: To complete this course and the ATPL Flight Planning CASA Examination you will need the following items as per CASA’s Permitted Material list:
- B727 Performance and Operating Handbook*
- All ERC High Charts
- Navigation equipment
- Basic Calculator
* The B727 Performance and Operating Handbook is included with AFT’s theory courses.