Free Practice Questions for SACAA CPL General Navigation

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Sample SACAA CPL General Navigation Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the SACAA CPL General Navigation exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which ellipsoidal parameters best define the reference shape of the Earth used in modern satellite navigation (WGS-84) and aeronautical charting?

A.An oblate spheroid with a equatorial radius (~6378 km) slightly larger than its polar radius (~6357 km), flattened at the poles by approximately 1/298.25

B.A prolate spheroid with a polar radius larger than its equatorial radius by approximately 1/298.25

C.A perfect sphere with a uniform radius of 6371 km across all parallels and meridians

D.A triaxial ellipsoid where all three principal axes differ in length by over 5%

Explanation: The Earth is an oblate spheroid (flattened at the poles) due to centrifugal force from rotation. Under WGS-84, the equatorial radius is ~6,378.137 km and the polar radius is ~6,356.752 km, yielding a flattening factor of approximately 1/298.25.

2By international standard definition, one international Nautical Mile (NM) is equal to exactly:

A.1,852 metres (6,076.1 feet)

B.1,609 metres (5,280.0 feet)

C.2,000 metres (6,561.7 feet)

D.1,760 metres (5,774.3 feet)

Explanation: The international nautical mile was standardized in 1954 as exactly 1,852 metres (6,076.1 feet). Historically, it represents the \arc length of 1 minute of latitude along a meridian.

3What is the standard formula for Departure (distance in nautical miles along a parallel of latitude between two meridians)?

A.Departure (NM) = Change of Longitude (minutes of \arc) × cos(Latitude)

B.Departure (NM) = Change of Longitude (minutes of \arc) × sin(Latitude)

C.Departure (NM) = Change of Latitude (minutes of \arc) × cos(Longitude)

D.Departure (NM) = Change of Longitude (degrees) × 60 × tan(Latitude)

Explanation: Departure is the distance along a parallel of latitude between two meridians. Because meridians converge at the poles, Departure (NM) = Change of Longitude (in \arcminutes) × cos(Latitude).

4An aircraft positioned at 26°00'S 028°00'E flies due West along the parallel of 26°S to 025°00'E. Calculate the departure distance flown.

A.161.8 NM

B.180.0 NM

C.141.5 NM

D.198.2 NM

Explanation: Change of Longitude (dlong) = 28° - 25° = 3° = 180 minutes of \arc. Latitude = 26°S. Departure = 180 × cos(26°) = 180 × 0.89879 = 161.78 NM ≈ 161.8 NM.

5Which statement correctly describes the geometric differences between a Great Circle track and a Rhumb Line track on the Earth's surface?

A.A Great Circle is the shortest distance between two points whose plane passes through the centre of the Earth, whereas a Rhumb Line crosses all meridians at a constant angle

B.A Rhumb Line is the shortest distance between two points, while a Great Circle maintains a constant true heading

C.All parallels of latitude \are Great Circles, whereas meridians of longitude \are Rhumb Lines

D.A Great Circle track maintains a constant track direction relative to Magnetic North, while a Rhumb Line changes track continuously

Explanation: A Great Circle is formed by a plane passing through the centre of the Earth, representing the shortest distance between two points. A Rhumb Line is a line of constant track direction (crossing meridians at a constant angle).

6Earth Convergency between two positions is defined as the angle between their respective meridians. What is the formula to calculate Earth Convergency?

A.Earth Convergency = Change of Longitude × sin(Mean Latitude)

B.Earth Convergency = Change of Longitude × cos(Mean Latitude)

C.Earth Convergency = Change of Latitude × sin(Mean Longitude)

D.Earth Convergency = 0.5 × Change of Longitude × tan(Mean Latitude)

Explanation: Earth Convergency is the angle between two meridians at different latitudes. It is calculated as Earth Convergency = dlong × sin(mean lat).

7Calculate the Earth Convergency between Position A (30°00'S 010°00'E) and Position B (30°00'S 024°00'E).

A.7.0°

B.14.0°

C.12.1°

D.3.5°

Explanation: Change of Longitude (dlong) = 24° - 10° = 14°. Mean Latitude = 30°S. Earth Convergency = 14° × sin(30°) = 14° × 0.5 = 7.0°.

8An aircraft flies along a Great Circle route in the Southern Hemisphere from Point A to Point B (both at latitude 32°S). The initial Great Circle true track at Point A is 085°T, and the Earth Convergency between A and B is 6°. What is the Great Circle true track upon \arrival at Point B?

A.091°T

B.079°T

C.088°T

D.085°T

Explanation: In the Southern Hemisphere, Great Circle tracks curve towards the South Pole (curving away from the Equator). When flying Eastwards in the Southern Hemisphere, the true track direction increases continuously by the Earth Convergency. Track at B = 085° + 6° = 091°T.

9At what point along a route does the Great Circle track angle equal the Rhumb Line track angle between two positions?

A.At the midpoint of the route (mid-longitude)

B.At the departure point

C.At the destination point

D.At the point of highest latitude (vertex) only

Explanation: Because the Great Circle track changes symmetrically relative to the Rhumb line, the Great Circle track angle equals the constant Rhumb Line track angle at the midpoint of the route (mean longitude).

10In geographic coordinate notation, how \are Latitude and Longitude measured across the globe?

A.Latitude is measured 0° to 90° North and South of the Equator; Longitude is measured 0° to 180° East and West of the Prime Meridian

B.Latitude is measured 0° to 180° East and West; Longitude is measured 0° to 90° North and South

C.Latitude is measured 0° to 360° clockwise from Greenwich; Longitude is measured 0° to 90° from the Equator

D.Latitude and Longitude \are both measured 0° to 180° North and East respectively

Explanation: Latitude is measured from 0° at the Equator to 90° North (+) or South (-). Longitude is measured from 0° at the Greenwich Prime Meridian to 180° East (+) or West (-).

About the SACAA CPL General Navigation Exam

The SACAA CPL General Navigation examination is a mandatory theoretical knowledge exam for candidate commercial pilots in South Africa. Testing advanced dead reckoning, map projections (Lambert Conformal Conic and Direct Mercator), Earth geometry, time and solar calculations, magnetism and compass errors (with Southern Hemisphere specifics), flight computer calculations (E6B / CR-3), Critical Point (ETP) and Point of No Return (PNR) formulas, and practical flight planning.

Exam sponsor: South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

40 questions

Time Limit

150 minutes

Passing Score

75%

Exam / Certification Fees

R450 per subject sitting under SACAA Part 187 user fees

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

12%

Form of the Earth and Geodesy

Earth shape, latitude/longitude, great circles, rhumb lines, departure formula, nautical mile definition, and position representation.

Time, Daylight, and Solar Calculations

UTC, SAST (UTC+2), LMT, arc-to-time conversion, standard meridians, sunrise/sunset, and twilight definitions.

15%

Aeronautical Charts and Map Projections

Lambert conformal conic and Direct Mercator projections, scale, chart convergency, standard parallels, rhumb line vs great circle tracks, and SA aeronautical charts.

10%

Magnetism, Variation, and Compass Errors

Terrestrial magnetism, magnetic variation, compass deviation, TVMDC conversions, dip, and Southern Hemisphere turning and acceleration errors.

10%

Airspeed and Altimetry Mechanics

IAS, CAS, EAS, TAS, compressibility correction, pressure altitude, density altitude, ISA temperature deviations, and flight computer altimetry.

20%

Dead Reckoning, Triangle of Velocities, and 1-in-60

Track, heading, drift angle, WCA, groundspeed, wind vector resolution, 1-in-60 rule off-track corrections, and double-drift methods.

13%

Point of Equal Time (ETP/CP) and Point of Safe Return (PSR/PNR)

Calculations for Critical Point (ETP), Point of No Return (PNR/PSR) with engine-out and normal cruise conditions, and endurance planning.

12%

Practical Flight Planning and TOD Descent

Navigation logs, fuel burn, climb/descent profiles, top of descent (TOD) calculation, 1:500 000 and 1:1 000 000 scale chart measurements, and diversion planning.

Preparing for the SACAA CPL General Navigation Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 75%
Exam length: 40 questions
Time limit: 150 minutes
Exam / certification fees: R450 per subject sitting under SACAA Part 187 user fees Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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SACAA CPL General Navigation: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master ETP (Critical Point = D × H / (O + H)) and PNR (Safe Endurance × H / (O + H)) calculations.

2Practice 1-in-60 calculations: Track Error = (Dist Off / Dist Flown) × 60, Closing Angle = (Dist Off / Dist Remaining) × 60.

3Remember Southern Hemisphere compass rules: ONUS (Overshoot North, Undershoot South) and SAND (South Accelerate, North Decelerate).

4Understand Lambert Conformal Conic chart convergence (dlong × sin parallel) vs Direct Mercator (convergency = 0, scale = 1/cos lat).

5Convert SAST (UTC+2) to UTC accurately and apply arc-to-time conversion (1° = 4 minutes, 15° = 1 hour).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the pass mark and duration of the SACAA CPL General Navigation exam?

The pass mark is 75% under CAR 61.01.10. The exam contains 40 multiple-choice questions and allows 150 minutes (2.5 hours).

What equipment can I bring to the SACAA CPL General Navigation exam?

Per SACAA CA 61-91, candidates may bring pencils, eraser, ruler, protractor/dividers, a mechanical navigation computer (whiz wheel such as E6B or CR-3), and a non-programmable electronic scientific calculator.

How much does the exam cost?

The examination fee is R450 per subject sitting according to SACAA Part 187 regulations. ATO testing centres may charge an additional administrative/invigilation fee.

Are Point of Equal Time (ETP) and Point of No Return (PNR) tested?

Yes, CPL General Navigation heavily tests ETP (Critical Point) and PNR (Point of Safe Return) formulas, including multi-engine/single-engine out scenarios and wind adjustments.

Why are Southern Hemisphere compass errors emphasized?

Because South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, magnetic dip causes acceleration errors (SAND: South Accelerate, North Decelerate) and turning errors (ONUS: Overshoot North, Undershoot South) opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere.

Free Practice Questions for SACAA CPL General Navigation

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