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100+ Free SACAA CPL Flight Planning & Performance Practice Questions

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Sample SACAA CPL Flight Planning & Performance Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your SACAA CPL Flight Planning & Performance exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following defines Basic Empty Weight (BEW) of an aeroplane?
A.Standard aeroplane weight including airframe, engines, fixed equipment, unusable fuel, and full engine oil.
B.Aeroplane weight including airframe, engines, usable fuel, payload, and minimum crew.
C.Maximum permissible weight of the aeroplane prior to engine start including usable fuel and payload.
D.Weight of the aeroplane excluding engine oil, unusable fuel, and permanently installed avionics.
Explanation: Basic Empty Weight (BEW) comprises the standard aircraft structure, engines, installed equipment, full operating fluids (including full engine oil), and unusable fuel. Usable fuel and payload (passengers, baggage, cargo) \are added to BEW to determine gross weight.
2An aeroplane has a Basic Empty Weight of 1,450 kg with a moment of 4,060,000 kg·mm. If two pilots weighing 170 kg combined sit at station 2,100 mm, what is the total weight and moment?
A.1,620 kg and 4,417,000 kg·mm
B.1,620 kg and 4,060,000 kg·mm
C.1,450 kg and 4,417,000 kg·mm
D.1,620 kg and 3,703,000 kg·mm
Explanation: Pilot moment = 170 kg × 2,100 mm = 357,000 kg·mm. Total mass = 1,450 kg + 170 kg = 1,620 kg. Total moment = 4,060,000 kg·mm + 357,000 kg·mm = 4,417,000 kg·mm.
3Given a total aircraft mass of 1,800 kg and a total moment of 4,860,000 kg·mm from datum, what is the Center of Gravity (CG) location?
A.2,700 mm aft of datum
B.2,500 mm aft of datum
C.2,850 mm aft of datum
D.3,000 mm aft of datum
Explanation: Center of Gravity (CG) = Total Moment / Total Mass = 4,860,000 kg·mm / 1,800 kg = 2,700 mm aft of datum.
4An aircraft with a total mass of 2,000 kg has a CG located at station 2,450 mm. A baggage item of 50 kg is moved from station 3,800 mm to station 1,800 mm. What is the new CG location?
A.2,400 mm
B.2,450 mm
C.2,500 mm
D.2,350 mm
Explanation: Distance shifted = 1,800 - 3,800 = -2,000 mm. Change in CG (ΔCG) = (Mass Moved × Distance Shifted) / Total Mass = (50 kg × -2,000 mm) / 2,000 kg = -50 mm. New CG = 2,450 mm - 50 mm = 2,400 mm.
5An aeroplane gross weight is 1,600 kg with current CG at 2,520 mm. The maximum forward CG limit is 2,500 mm. How much cargo must be moved from station 3,200 mm to station 1,200 mm to bring CG to 2,500 mm?
A.16 kg
B.20 kg
C.32 kg
D.40 kg
Explanation: Required ΔCG = 2,500 - 2,520 = -20 mm. Distance shifted = 1,200 - 3,200 = -2,000 mm. Formula: Mass Moved = (Total Mass × ΔCG) / Distance Shifted = (1,600 kg × -20 mm) / -2,000 mm = 16 kg.
6An aircraft weighs 1,750 kg with CG at 2,400 mm. If 150 kg of fuel (\arm 2,600 mm) is added to the wing tanks, what is the new CG position?
A.2,415.8 mm
B.2,400.0 mm
C.2,425.0 mm
D.2,450.0 mm
Explanation: Initial moment = 1,750 kg × 2,400 mm = 4,200,000 kg·mm. Fuel moment = 150 kg × 2,600 mm = 390,000 kg·mm. New total mass = 1,900 kg. New total moment = 4,590,000 kg·mm. New CG = 4,590,000 / 1,900 = 2,415.79 mm (2,415.8 mm).
7An aeroplane weighs 1,900 kg at takeoff with CG at 2,415.8 mm. After burning 150 kg of fuel from tanks located at station 2,600 mm, what is the landing CG?
A.2,400.0 mm
B.2,415.8 mm
C.2,430.0 mm
D.2,385.0 mm
Explanation: Takeoff moment = 1,900 kg × 2,415.8 mm = 4,590,020 kg·mm. Burned fuel moment = 150 kg × 2,600 mm = 390,000 kg·mm. Landing mass = 1,750 kg. Landing moment = 4,590,020 - 390,000 = 4,200,020 kg·mm. Landing CG = 4,200,020 / 1,750 = 2,400.0 mm.
8An aircraft current mass is 1,500 kg with CG at 2,620 mm. The maximum permissible aft CG limit is 2,600 mm. How much ballast mass must be added at station 1,000 mm in the nose to bring CG to 2,600 mm?
A.18.75 kg
B.25.00 kg
C.15.00 kg
D.30.00 kg
Explanation: Let m = ballast mass. (1,500 × 2,620 + m × 1,000) / (1,500 + m) = 2,600. Solution: 3,930,000 + 1,000m = 3,900,000 + 2,600m => 1,600m = 30,000 => m = 18.75 kg.
9An aeroplane has a Mean Aerodynamic Chord (MAC) of 1,600 mm. The Leading Edge of MAC (LEMAC) is located at station 2,100 mm. If the CG is at station 2,500 mm, what is the CG position in % MAC?
A.25.0% MAC
B.20.0% MAC
C.30.0% MAC
D.15.0% MAC
Explanation: Formula: % MAC = [(CG - LEMAC) / MAC] × 100 = [(2,500 - 2,100) / 1,600] × 100 = (400 / 1,600) × 100 = 25.0% MAC.
10If an aircraft CG limit is specified as 18% to 32% MAC, LEMAC is 1,800 mm, and length of MAC is 1,500 mm, what is the aft CG limit distance from datum?
A.2,280 mm
B.2,070 mm
C.2,250 mm
D.2,300 mm
Explanation: Aft limit (32% MAC) = LEMAC + (32% × MAC) = 1,800 mm + (0.32 × 1,500 mm) = 1,800 mm + 480 mm = 2,280 mm aft of datum.

About the SACAA CPL Flight Planning & Performance Exam

The SACAA Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) Flight Planning & Performance examination tests operational flight planning, aircraft performance, and mass & balance for complex single-engine and light twin-engine aeroplanes. Subject coverage includes weight limits (BEM, ZFW, MTOW, MLW), CG envelope & load shift calculations, TODA/TORA/ASDA runway distances, headwind/tailwind & slope corrections, single-engine climb gradients and drift-down procedures, SACAA Part 91 and Part 135 commercial fuel reserve policies, E6B flight computer calculations, Point of Equal Time (PET), Point of No Return (PNR), and ICAO flight plan form completion (CA 48-01).

Questions

40 scored questions

Time Limit

150 minutes

Passing Score

75%

Exam Fee

R450 per subject sitting under SACAA Part 187 user fees (South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA))

SACAA CPL Flight Planning & Performance Exam Content Outline

20%

Mass & Balance & Weight Limitations

BEM, ZFW, MTOW, MLW, arm/moment calculations, center of gravity envelope, ballast, and shifting load.

25%

Takeoff & Landing Performance

TODA, TORA, ASDA, clearway/stopway, factored landing distance, headwind/tailwind corrections, density altitude, and slope/surface factors.

20%

En-Route Climb, Cruise & Descent Performance

Climb gradients, Vx/Vy, single-engine ceilings (Vyse/Vmc), drift-down, cruise power settings, and top-of-descent planning.

15%

Fuel Planning & Reserves (Part 91 & Part 135)

Taxi, trip, contingency fuel (5%), alternate fuel, holding reserves, specific fuel consumption, and usable vs un-usable fuel.

10%

Navigation Computer & Flight Log Calculations

E6B flight computer, TAS/CAS/EAS, groundspeed/drift, Point of Equal Time (PET), and Point of No Return (PNR).

10%

Flight Planning, Alternate Selection & ATS Airspace

ICAO flight plan form CA 48-01, VFR/IFR routing, alternate aerodrome weather minima, and ATS flight monitoring.

How to Pass the SACAA CPL Flight Planning & Performance Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75%
  • Exam length: 40 questions
  • Time limit: 150 minutes
  • Exam fee: R450 per subject sitting under SACAA Part 187 user fees

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

SACAA CPL Flight Planning & Performance Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the moment table method ($Mass \times Arm = Moment$) for center of gravity calculations to avoid arithmetic errors.
2Memorise the standard SACAA performance correction factors: 50% of headwind credit, 150% tailwind penalty, +15% for grass runways, and 1.43 safety factor for commercial landing distance required.
3Practice Point of Equal Time ($PET = \frac{D \times H}{O + H}$) and Point of No Return ($PNR = \frac{E \times O \times H}{O + H}$) calculations until fast and accurate.
4Remember fuel density conversions: Avgas = 0.72 kg/L (6.0 lbs/US gal), Jet A-1 = 0.80 kg/L (6.7 lbs/US gal).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the pass mark for SACAA CPL Flight Planning & Performance?

The pass mark is 75% under SACAA CAR 61.01.10. Candidates must score at least 30 correct answers out of 40 questions.

How long is the SACAA CPL Flight Planning & Performance examination?

The examination duration is 150 minutes (2.5 hours) for 40 questions, allowing ample time for numeric calculations.

What items are allowed in the SACAA CPL Flight Planning exam room?

Candidates are permitted to bring a non-programmable electronic calculator, mechanical navigation computer (E6B / CR-3 whiz wheel), flight planning ruler/protractor, and plain working paper.

What fuel reserve rules apply under SACAA Part 135 commercial operations?

Under SACAA CAR Part 135 (Air Transport Operations - Small Aeroplanes), commercial flights must carry taxi fuel, trip fuel, 5% contingency fuel of trip fuel (or 15 min minimum), fuel to reach an alternate, plus 45 minutes final reserve holding fuel at 1,500 ft above the alternate.