Full Time Ground School

ATPL Aeroplane Full Time Ground School

Our ATPL Aeroplane Full-Time Ground School Course enables students to study the four most difficult ATPL subjects during their stay with us and complete the other three subjects at a less stressful time at home! This option has proven to be very successful as it maximises your chance of success and minimises time spent away from home. The ATPL(A) Course involves six weeks of intensive full-time study, working from 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. You will also be expected to do homework each night and over the weekend.

While time spent in class is intensive, our course format allows as much time as possible for many detailed revision tests. On completion of each subject module you can attempt Advanced Flight Theory’s Practice CyberExams before attempting the actual CASA PEXO Exams.

The six week course covers the four most difficult ATPL subjects:

• Navigation
• Aerodynamics and Aircraft Systems
• Performance and Loading
• Flight Planning

Our fees include all Course Notes, Revision Tests, Practice CyberExams, Random Question Generators, Answer Sheets, in class tuition from Nathan Higgins including after hours course support. There is no requirement to purchase any other textbooks as all relevant references and manuals are included. You will need to provide your own set of Airservices Publications, Charts and Navigation Equipment as per the CASA Permitted Materials list.

Our ATPL Aeroplane Full-Time Ground School Course Schedule shows dedicated CASA Exam days. During the course, you are able to sit your CASA exams of which we will book on your behalf in our privately reserved exam sessions at our local CASA/ASPEQ Examination venue (Mudjimba).

“The remaining subjects can be sat while you are with us, however we strongly recommend that they are attempted at a different time to minimise your personal stress levels.”

The remaining three parts are:

• Meteorology
• Air Law
• Human Factors

When enrolling on the seven subject discounted package, the Distance Learning subjects will be dispatched to you once you have paid your deposit. The three subjects can be completed at your convenience, before or after attending the ATPL Aeroplane Full-Time Ground School. The Distance Learning package covers the entire CASA ATPL Syllabus for these three subjects and includes Notes, Revision Tests, Practice CyberExams and Answer Sheets. Many students have received 100% for these subjects after using our study material only and making the effort to study hard. Unlimited email and phone course support from Nathan Higgins is included in all of our Distance Learning Courses.

This package can be forwarded free to you anywhere in Australia. We are happy to post the package anywhere else overseas, however due to the considerable expense of International Postage, an overseas postage fee will apply. We will contact you prior to dispatch to quote overseas postage charges.

Course Outline

Our course is very intensive, however we have done everything possible to ensure adequate time is given to fully cover the full ATPL(A) Syllabus. We have found that our short course format with our constant revision tests, leads to better information retention, especially on exam day!

Please Note: There may be some slight variations to the format described below when public holidays interfere with the scheduled CASA PEXO Exams at the end of each subject.

Navigation

Navigation commences on Monday, with six days spent in the classroom and the CASA ANAV PEXO Exam scheduled for the Tuesday after class finishes.

Study Material Included:

• AFT Navigation Theory Notes, Revision Tests, Answers and Workings
• AFT Navigation Practical Notes, Revision Tests, Answers and Workings
• AFT Navigation Additional Revision Tests, Answers and Workings
• AFT ANAV Practice CyberExams with 8 Standard Marking Credits
• AFT ANAV Practice CyberExam Answers and Workings
• AFT ANAV Random Question Generators

Navigation includes studying the static/pitot system, gyroscopic/laser ring instruments, weather radar, radar/radio altimeters and the latest on GPS. The principles of operation of radio navigation aids and their errors and limitations, determining position by way of radio navaid information (RMI with VOR/ADF) and the use of an ERC are covered next. You will learn to plot Critical Points and the Point of Safe Diversion on ERC and how to calculate track intercepts without a chart using basic trigonometry. The subject material is covered in the classroom from Monday to Friday, with Practice CyberExams over the weekend and the Monday before the CASA ANAV PEXO Exam on the Tuesday.

Aerodynamics and Aircraft Systems

Aerodynamics and Aircraft Systems commences on a Wednesday, with seven days spent in the classroom and the CASA AASA PEXO Exam scheduled for the Friday after class finishes.

Study Material Included:

• AFT Basic Gas Turbine Notes, Revision Tests and Answers
• AFT Aerodynamics Notes, Revision Tests and Answers
• AFT Aircraft System Notes, Revision Tests and Answers
• AFT Automatic Flight and Flight Management Notes
• AFT AASA Practice CyberExams with 8 Premium Marking Credits
• AFT AASA Practice CyberExam Answers

The Aerodynamics and Aircraft Systems Syllabus is very broad, covering BGT (Basic Gas Turbines), EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrument Systems), FMS (Flight Management Systems) and all aircraft navigation and control systems. These are all discussed in great detail. Special videos on many of the important aspects will be viewed. Aircraft Hydraulic and Electrical Systems are also topics covered during the course.

Advanced Flight Theory has an EFIS Computer Simulator, displayed via large screens. The simulator allows us to show, in real time, a complete flight using the latest in EFIS displays and FMS. Wednesday to the following Thursday are spent learning the subject material, with Practice CyberExams sat on Thursday before the CASA AASA PEXO Exam on the Friday.

Performance and Loading

Performance and Loading commences on a Monday, with five days spent in the classroom and the CASA APLA PEXO Exam scheduled for the Monday after class finishes.

Study Material Included:

• CASA B727 Performance and Operations Handbook
• B727 Additional Graph Copy Package
• AFT Weight Limitations Notes, Revision Tests, Answers and Workings
• AFT Cruise Performance Notes, Revision Tests and Answers
• AFT Performance Aerodynamics Notes, Revision Tests and Answers
• AFT Weight and Balance Notes, Revision Tests, Answers and Workings
• CASA APLA Workbooklet
• B767 Flight Study Guide
• Part 161 and Part 121 MOS
• Performance and Loading Revision Tests, Answers and Workings
• AFT APLA Practice CyberExams with 8 Premium Marking Credits
• AFT APLA Practice CyberExam Answers and Workings
• AFT APLA Random Question Generators

This subject involves calculation of Weight and Balance for a Boeing 727, a thorough investigation of takeoff and landing performance and a detailed look at CASR 121 MOS Chapter 9, so you fully understand the reasons behind all of the operational performance standards. The first four days in class covers the course material, with revision on Friday and our Practice CyberExams completed over the weekend before the CASA APLA PEXO Exam on the Monday.

Flight Planning

Flight Planning commences on a Tuesday, with nine days spent in the classroom. No CASA PEXO Exam date is booked for Flight Planning. This allows students more time to practice and refine the techniques needed in the AFPA exam. The additional time should ensure all methods and processes are fully understood and careless errors eliminated, with the added benefit of reduced time pressure before attempting the CASA exam. The majority of our students will book the AFPA exam themselves after returning home and allowing themselves enough extra time for suitable revision and practice. We do not have any pre booked exam sessions with ASPEQ for our Flight Planning courses and encourage you to book and sit the exam when you are fully prepared.

Study Material Included:

• CASA B727 Performance and Operations Handbook *
• AFT Flight Planning Notes and Revision Tests
• AFT Flight Planning Notes and Revision Tests Answers and Workings
• AFT Flight Planning Forms
• AFT AFPA Practice CyberExams with 8 Premium Marking Credits
• AFT AFPA Practice CyberExam Answers and Workings
• AFT AFPA Random Question Generators

* B727 Performance and Operations Handbook only issued if not already held from Performance and Loading study.

We start with a discussion of the effects on jet engine performance and aircraft aerodynamics, of cruising at high altitude and high speed. True Air Speed to Mach Number conversions, and other important considerations when flying near the speed of sound are also explained.

Once you fully understand these concepts you are ready to start Flight Planning. This is not only the most interesting, but also the most complex and time consuming section of the CASA syllabus. Step by step you will become familiar with the Boeing 727 Handbook, so by the end of the first week you are confidently planning RPT flights, including calculation of the PNR and ETP for Normal Operations, One Engine Inoperative Flight and Depressurised Cruise.

We also cover Yaw Damper failure, Buffet Boundary considerations and Alternate aerodrome requirements. You will eventually feel confident working through challenging problems. The second week of Flight Planning is devoted to consolidation and revision with CASA style revision tests and Practice CyberExams.

Meteorology, Air Law and Human Factors

You should allow approximately 10 full days of devoted self study time to cover all of the material required to sit the remaining subjects of Meteorology, Air Law and Human Factors. The study material includes reference material, revision tests, Practice CyberExams.

Meteorology

Study Material Included:

• AFT Meteorology Notes, Revision Tests and Answers
• AFT Upper Level Meteorology Notes, Revision Tests and Answers
• AFT Meteorology Additional Revision Tests and Answers
• Bureau of Meteorology – Manual of Aviation Meteorology Textbook
• AFT AMET Practice CyberExams with 8 Standard Marking Credits

Air Law

Study Material Included:

• AFT Air Law Notes and Revision Tests
• AFT Air Law Notes and Revision Tests Answers with References
• CASA Plain English Guide
• AFT AALW Practice CyberExams with 8 Standard Marking Credits
• AFT AALW Practice CyberExam References

Human Factors

Study Material Included:

• Bob Tait Human Performance and Limitations Notes
• AFT Human Factors Supplementary Notes
• AFT Human Factors Supplementary Notes Answers
• Tony Wilson – Human Performance and Limitations Textbook
• AFT Threat and Error Management Notes
• AFT AHUF Practice CyberExams with 8 Standard Marking Credits

ATPL Aeroplane – Things You Need

To complete our ATPL(A) Course, you will need to ensure you have all the material needed to complete your study and most importantly, sit your CASA examinations. For a full list of what you need to complete the ATPL exams, please see CASA’s  Permitted Material allowed to be taken into Examinations under Part 61.

You need to have the current edition of the following documents to complete the ATPL(A) CASA PEXO Exams: 

• AIP Complete
• ERSA with RDS
• All ERC High Charts
• All ERC Low Charts
• PCA Chart
• CAR 1988*
• Part 61 of CASR*
• Part 91 of CASR*
• Part 91 MOS*
• Part 121 of CASR*
• Part 121 MOS*
• Part 135 of CASR*
• Part 135 MOS*
• CAO 48.1 Instrument 2019*
• B727 Performance and Operating Handbook (included in the Flight Planning and Performance and Loading course)
• Navigation equipment
• A basic calculator

The CASA Regulatory Documents are not included in your Full Time Ground School or Distance Learning Course fee and can be purchased separately through our online Pilot Supply Shop.

* These documents can be purchased in our AALW Air Law Document Package includes the following printed CASA Documents Permitted Material which has been extracted specifically for the ATPL Air Law Examination by Nathan Higgins. Printed in 2 Binders.

If you are attending a Full Time Ground School course, all of these items can be purchased from our pilot supply shop on the first day of your course, so you do not need to worry about obtaining them before you arrive.

To see the current pricelist and place your order, please visit our online Pilot Supply Shop.

Important Note: Departure and Approach Procedures (DAP) East and West is a permitted reference for the CASA Air Law PEXO Exam, however the main topic covered by the Air Law syllabus that requires reference to DAP East and West is noise curfew procedures and requirements. If you do not already have DAP East and West and wish to avoid the considerable cost of purchasing these documents, you should familiarise yourself with noise curfew procedures before sitting the CASA Air Law PEXO Exam.