Norwegian JAR FCL ATPL exams, may 2003

My own assessment on the different ATPL exams in descending order, The hardest as no. 1
I passed all on the first attempt, and I look at it as the result of around 800 hours work over 4 months before the tests.
In addition, a whole year part time study while working as a flight instructor at NAIA.

Make NO MISTAKE about it...... It is painfully hard work that lies ahead of you, but you CAN succeed if you REALLY want to !

Remember that this is my personal feelings on the matter, however it will give you a good general idea
about THESE exams, the next ones surely can be quite different.....so don`t yell on me if things don`t work out ......
Please see the hints and tips page when it is ready !
( As the questions are all based on memory, I will update this page if necceseary )

Good Luck !
Lars Sletten

1. Air Law
Because it is hard to remember all the little details, and the subject is huge !

Ground – Air signals * Radar separation in all possible ways * Revalidation of licences + ratings * Issuance of licenses * “ forbidden tailnumbers “ * Flight procedures design * ICAO annexes * Conventions * Fire protection
Sample question : Witch letter combination is not reccomended for tailnumbers / Witch sources can a ATIS be transmitted on ? / The experience requirements for a IR ( A ) are

Hard, hard test ….. not because the questions are terribly difficult, but the subject is huge and remembering all those little things is a nightmare …
what can I say … Study your ass off for this one ) - :

2. MB
Because the time is short and the questions are tricky, easy to bust on !

Better prepare yourself !, only 22 Q, so you better choose the right answers * Finding max load * Many definition questions ” * questions on MAC% VS weightshift to get CG. Know the MAC% formula well * Loading chart on the MRJT * A few classic MB questions * Demanding and time critical test
Sample question : What is the most correct answer when the CG is moved to the far aft limit ? / Define “traffic load “ / Define “ DOM “

Recommend the Oxford book on this subject !

Challenging exam, and the most time critical of them all !

3. HPL
Many underestimate this one, believe me it can easily be the one that overturns you !

Physiology : The eye – the ear – Equlibrium * Reasons for human behavior pattern * Errors theory * Visual illusions
Many questions of the type where a number of options are available, and you have to regroup into the correct ones.
Sample question : At certain vibration levels, the vision can become blurred, the reason for this is ? / Human behavior is a result of the folloving ….

Recommend the Oxford book combined with the NAR book on this subject !

Watch out for this one, do not underestimate, as the questions / answers are often hard to interpretate, you could easily pick the wrong one even though you understand the question…

4. Flight planning
Love it or hate it … I spent endless hours preparing for it…. Good idea !!

CP / PNR, single leg * ATC flight plan *Polar stereographic plotting *
Route chart extraction * Calculation of safe altitudes VS QNH + temp *
Finding drift angle * Finding ground speed * Calculation of TAS from Mno *
Speedreduction to reach point at spesified time ( Mno reduction )*
Identification of features on VFR / IFR charts * Grid plotting

Sample question : you are cruising at FL 350, M 0.82 OAT – 45. WC –50. ATC want you to slow down to reach a checkpoint 2 minutes later. Assuming that you start the speed reduction 200 NM out, the new Mno. Required is …..

Strongly recommend the Oxford book on this subject !

- Very time consuming test, no ” fancy ” questions, but extremely good knowledge with computer, route manual, and general nav skills essential !
This one you either excel at, or fail completely…..
( No questions on ” model airplanes ” )

5. General nav
Same lane as the FP, but slightly less stressful / time consuming

CP + PNR ( simple versions ) * Drift angle * DTK vs regaining track at various points * Finding safe altitude * Classic computer problems * TN / MN / CN problems * Rumb line vs GC + ( CA / Convergency ) * Scale problems * Tricky questions on departure + distance along meridians * no questions on time / solar system…
Sample question : An aircraft is orbiting the earth with 400 kt GS at 60 `N. What groundspeed must an aircraft at the equator maintain to orbit at the same rate ?

Strongly recommend the Oxford book combined with the NAR book on this subject !

Like the FP test, you love it or hate it !. Time is limited, and absolute proficiency on all NAV aeras are paramount. High fail rate on this one, so prepare well

6. Radionav
Detailed questions on the modern stuff ….. know it cold !

Many questions on GPS * VOR operating principles * Many questions on VSI reqd. on the glideslope vs different groundspeeds * B RNAV ( enr. + appr ) * IRS / INS / EFIS / TMC / FMS
Sample question : How many GPS sattelites are required for full coverage /reliability, including redundancy ? - RAIM is ? – A strapdown system is ?

Recommend the Oxford book + the NAR book on this subject !

Like the instrumentation test, but more phocus on ground based systems + the very heavy testing on the B 737 “ model airplane “ avionics + INS IRS Know the avionics manual by heart !
Tricky questions, watch out !

7. Airframes systems / Powerplant
Huge subject – Fair questions = Lot of study required to pass !

Electrics ( generators + motors, parallell / serial connect ) * CSD drive * Flight controls * Hydroplaning * Trimming * Compressors * Turbines * Propellers * Otto cycle * Many questions of the type where a number of options are available, and you have to regroup into the correct ones.
Sample question : Where will an axial compressor stall first when airflow is reduced below reccomended limits ? / If the elevator trim tab is moved UP, what indication will the trim move towards ?
Concerning the CSD, what cocpit indications are available to the pilots ?

The NAR book is OK, but recommend the Oxford book on this subject !

- Fair enough, but some very detailed questions, especially the AC electrics were heavily tested. Large subject that has very high fail rate !

8. POF
One of my favorite subjects and others would probably assess this one as more difficult, but I honestly had imagined a harder test…

Supersonic flight * Stability * CD / CL * Graph interpretation * Turning flight * Propeller theory * Coordinated flight
Sample question : What happens with local speed of sound and temperature after passing an expansion wave ?

The NAR book is good, but lacks good questions !

- Fair and square test, but requires a solid understanding of the fundamentals !

9. Instrumentation
Like Radionav, but contains a large number of “ normal “ pitot static questions and that makes it easier to pass, just make sure to know the DRC….

Very heavy testing of Modern systemes like FMS / INS / IRS / EFIS / Autothrottle / TMC, so make sure you know about these. * magnetic compass * ”classic ” pitot static questions * Autopilot / Autotrim

Sample question : What does the color RED on the EFIS mean according to JAR 25 / A pilot accidentally turns the IRS MCP to “OFF “ – what information will be available afterwards ?

- The hardest thing about this one was the heavy testing on the modern systems, the rest of the questions were OK. Use the B737 EFIS manual !

10. Performance
I feared this one, and did my homework, easier as I Feared, but…. Careful, few questions make the line thinner !

Know all the different V speeds ! * Landing / takeoff charts *
” perf. Aerodynamics ” Jet / vs Prop, max range + endurance. * Thrust VS ambient conditions * Reduced thrust takeoffs

Recommend the Oxford book on this subject !

Sample question : Under witch conditions will a reduced thrust takeoff be applicable ? /
What happes to the field length limited takeoff weight if case of an unbalanced field takeoff ? / Witch conditions will lead to an unbalanced field takeoff ?

Suprisingly easy test if you know the fundamental elements, especially the fundamental difference between jet and prop performance


11. Meteorology
One of my favorite subjects .... many dislike it, but it is also one of the most important on the day to day operations !

QFF vs QNH * Altitude problems * Jetstreams * Aera climatology * TAF / METAR code * Sig WX chart * The atmosphere * stability vs unstability * cloud detection * icing *
Sample question : You are crossing the jet perpendicular and below the core, the temperature are rising – your groundspeed will …..

A really good investment is the Oxford metoffice CBT “ Avmet “ through NAK shop.
I used this one most of the time, it is really, really worth the money !!

Well prepared, you will face few serious problems !. 90 questions gives you ample chanche to make this one. Remember though – the subject is huge and sometimes subtle, so prepare !

12. Ops Procedures
" Mixed goods "

This one was easier than expected, questions on general knowledge on aviation, * Deicing * Light equipment * Hazardous materials * Recency * SVFR + many more
Study the OPS book, but this test was really compiled on a wast range of subject, no really tricky questions, but hard to study on, as many different books cover this test.
Sample question : How many degrees of coverage does the green position light have ? / What is the recency requirements for single pilot IFR under JAR OPS 1 ? / Minimum visibility for SVFR under JAR OPS 1 ?

“ Aviation general knowledge ! “

13. VFR / IFR Communication
Easy, but ........ few questions make this a possible trap...

Take it seriously, and you`ll get this one on the house....