We offer a Full-Time Ground School course for ATPL Navigation and ATPL Helicopter Aerodynamics and Aircraft Systems. The remaining five subjects can be completed by our Distance Learning course.

Navigation is a generic subject between both ATPL Helicopter and Aeroplane. Aerodynamics and Aircraft Systems is 80% the same content for both ATPL Helicopter and Aeroplane. Since the majority of the Syllabus is common between the two and has a large focus on Aeroplanes, we find Helicopter pilots do benefit in coming along to the Full-Time Ground School course for these two subjects.

The ATPL(H) Theory Course for Navigation and Aerodynamics and Aircraft Systems consists of 3 weeks 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.

Navigation (ANAV)

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

ANAV Full-time Ground School Outline

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

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 (AASH)

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 Fight, Flight Management and SAS Notes
• AFT Supplementary Systems Notes
• AFT Inertial Navigation Notes
• AFT AASH Practice CyberExams with 8 Premium Marking Credits
• AFT AASH Practice CyberExam Answers and Workings

AASH Full-time Ground School Outline

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

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 AASH Exam.

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 CASA Exams.

Our fees include all Course Notes, Revision Tests, Practice CyberExams and Answer Sheets. There is no requirement to purchase any other textbooks as all relevant references and manuals are included. You will however need to provide your own set of Airservices Publications, Charts and Navigation Equipment.

The remaining five ATPL(H) subjects are:

• Flight Planning
• Performance and Loading
• Meteorology
• Air Law
• Human Factors

The Distance Learning subjects can be completed at your convenience, before or after attending the ATPL ground school. The package covers the entire CASA Part 61 Manual of Standards Aeronautical Knowledge Standards (Syllabus) includes comprehensive 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.

CASA Examination Information

There is a considerable amount of information regarding the CASA Exam system available on CASA’s ATPL Exams Page. 

7 Subject ATPL Examination

The ATPL examination is made up of seven separate examinations. These are:

• Flight Planning
• Navigation
• Performance and Loading
• Aerodynamics and Aircraft Systems
• Human Factors
• Meteorology
• Air Law

Individual Subject Credits

All ATPL exams are individual examinations. Candidates may choose to sit any number of papers at any particular sitting and be credited with a pass in each examination separately. When all subjects have been passed, a candidate is awarded a pass in the ATPL examination.

Examination Pre-Requisites

The pre-qualification requirements for the ATPL is a pass in the Australian CPL(H) theory examination or a CPL(H) Licence. You will be unable to book an examination unless you meet this requirement.

In particular, overseas students should note that they must hold a CASA CPL(H) or have a pass in all seven parts of the CASA CPL(H) theory exam to meet pre requisite qualifications for sitting CASA ATPL(H) Exams. It is essential for overseas students to contact the CASA Flight Crew Examination and/or Licencing Sections to confirm they meet this requirement prior to booking their CASA ATPL examinations.

Perpetual Validity Period

The ATPL credit once issued, will remain valid indefinitely. This may be reviewed at a later date.

Two Year Time Frame

As of 1 September, 2014 a candidate has two years to pass all seven ATPL examinations to be awarded an ATPL theory pass. More information can be found on CASA’s website under ‘Re-training periods and exam windows’.

Pass Mark Required

The pass mark for each CASA examination is 70%, except for the Air Law where the pass mark is 80%.

Exam Fees

ASPEQ has a contract for the nationwide delivery of Flight Crew licensing examinations for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). ASPEQ is responsible for the booking and delivery of the examinations through a network of examination sites, while CASA is responsible for the provisions of the examinations through their PEXO Exam System.

The fees for the examination service is split into two parts –

• CASA Examination Fee
• ASPEQ Examination Delivery Fee

Examination Venues

CASA Exams can be sat at many CASA authorised exam centres Australia wide.

Booking your CASA/ASPEQ Exams

All CASA Flight Crew Licencing Exams are to be booked through ASPEQ’s website.

There are two parts to the ATPL Examination fees – a CASA fee and an ASPEQ fee.

The CASA examination fees are for the PEXO Exam service provided by CASA via their web-based delivery system. The ASPEQ exam delivery fees are charged for each examination subject required. The fee structure is based around the length of the examination subject as this determines the amount of computer time used to deliver the subject. Please see CASA’s website for current exam fee information for AFPH, APLH and AASH or AALW, AHUF, ANAV and AMET.

IMPORTANT NOTE: CASA and ASPEQ fees are NOT included in our course fees for Full Time Ground School or Distance Learning Courses. If you are attending our Full Time Ground School Classes we have pre-booked CASA Exam sessions for our students at the end of each subject. If requested, we can book your exam in one of these sessions for you on your first day in class and charge the exams fees to your account. Our pre booked sessions mean you do not need to book your own CASA Exams for subjects you do in class with us. You must book your own CASA Exams for any Distance Learning subjects you study.

Before booking any CASA Exams candidates need to be sure of their eligibility and timing before making a booking.

ATPL Helicopter – Things You Need

To complete our ATPL(H) 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(H) CASA PEXO Exams: 

• AIP Complete
• ERSA with RDS
• All ERC High Charts
• All ERC Low Charts
• PCA Chart
• S76 Performance and Operations Handbook (provided by AFT)
• Part 133 of CASR (provided by AFT)
• Part 133 MOS (provided by AFT)
• CASA Advisory Circular AC 133-01 V4.2 Performance Class Ops (provided by AFT)
• Navigation equipment
• A basic calculator
• 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*

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, which includes the following printed CASA Documents Permitted Material which has been extracted specifically for the ATPL Air Law Examination by Warren McIvor and Nathan Higgins. Printed in 2 Binders.

If you are attending a Full Time Ground School course (for Navigation or Aerodynamics and Aircraft Systems), 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.