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Sample SACAA PPL Navigation Practice Questions

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

1For most private-pilot navigation calculations, the Earth is treated as:
A.A perfect sphere
B.A perfect ellipsoid that must be used for all PPL calculations without spherical approximation
C.A flat plane everywhere
D.A cylinder
Explanation: Although the Earth is an oblate spheroid, for PPL navigation it is treated as a perfect sphere so that latitude/longitude and great-circle concepts can be applied consistently.
2The Earth's axis of rotation passes through which two points?
A.The North and South geographic poles
B.The Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn
C.Greenwich and the International Date Line only
D.Magnetic North and Magnetic South only
Explanation: Geographic (true) North and South Poles are where the Earth's spin axis meets the surface. Magnetic poles are separate and wander.
3Parallels of latitude are:
A.Small circles (except the Equator) running east–west
B.Great circles joining the poles
C.Always rhumb lines of constant longitude
D.Lines of equal magnetic variation
Explanation: Parallels are east–west circles of constant latitude. Only the Equator is a great circle; other parallels are small circles.
4Meridians of longitude are:
A.Great circles (semi-circles) joining the North and South Poles
B.East–west small circles only
C.Lines of equal altitude
D.Always parallel to the Equator
Explanation: Each meridian is a half of a great circle running from pole to pole. Opposite meridians together form a full great circle.
5The shortest distance between two points on a sphere follows a:
A.Great circle
B.Rhumb line
C.Parallel of latitude always
D.Isogonal
Explanation: A great circle is the intersection of the sphere with a plane through its centre and is the shortest surface path between two points.
6A rhumb line is a line that:
A.Cuts all meridians at the same angle (constant true track)
B.Always passes through both poles
C.Is always the shortest route
D.Has zero variation everywhere
Explanation: A rhumb line maintains a constant direction relative to true north, so it crosses successive meridians at the same angle. It is convenient to fly but not usually shortest.
7One minute of arc of latitude along a meridian is approximately equal to:
A.1 nautical mile
B.1 statute mile
C.1 kilometre exactly
D.15 nautical miles
Explanation: By definition used in navigation, 1 nautical mile equals 1 minute of latitude (average). Hence 1° of latitude ≈ 60 NM.
8Two positions lie on the Equator 5° of longitude apart. Approximate great-circle distance along the Equator is:
A.300 NM
B.150 NM
C.5 NM
D.60 NM
Explanation: On the Equator, 1° of longitude equals 60 NM, so 5° × 60 = 300 NM.
9At latitude 60°S, the east–west distance represented by 1° of longitude is approximately:
A.30 NM
B.60 NM
C.15 NM
D.120 NM
Explanation: Departure (east–west distance) ≈ change of longitude (minutes) × cos(latitude). At 60°, cos 60° = 0.5, so 1° (60′) yields about 30 NM.
10Longitude is measured east and west from which reference?
A.The Greenwich (Prime) Meridian
B.The Equator
C.Magnetic North
D.The International Date Line only as 0°
Explanation: The Prime Meridian through Greenwich is longitude 0°. Longitude is measured 0–180° east or west of that meridian.

About the SACAA PPL Navigation Exam

The SACAA PPL General Navigation examination is a mandatory computer-based theoretical knowledge subject for the South African Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane). It tests the form of the Earth, time, aeronautical charts (including Lambert conformal mapping and the SA plotting chart), magnetic variation and compass deviation, dead reckoning and the triangle of velocities, navigation-computer calculations, and practical VFR flight-planning/pilotage skills from the official PPL Navigation syllabus. Radio Aids & Communication is a separate SACAA subject; this bank only includes light radio position-fixing as used in practical navigation.

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

30 questions

Time Limit

90 minutes

Passing Score

75%

Exam / Certification Fees

~R425–R450 per subject (confirm current SACAA Part 187 fee; ATO invigilation may add charges)

Exam sponsor website

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

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

Sphere model, poles, latitude/longitude, great circles, rhumb lines, nautical mile, and departure.

8%

Time and Daylight

UTC, LMT, arc-to-time, SAST (UTC+2), sunrise/sunset, official night/civil twilight, and the Date Line.

15%

Charts and Mapping

Lambert conformal conic and Mercator properties, scale, SA plotting chart, isogonals, relief, symbols, and measuring track/distance.

12%

Direction, Variation and Deviation

True/magnetic/compass north, variation, deviation cards, TVMDC conversions, track vs heading, and drift.

10%

Aircraft Magnetism and Compass

Terrestrial magnetism, dip, acceleration and turning errors (hemisphere-aware), interference, and compass swings.

18%

Dead Reckoning and Wind

Pilotage/DR, triangle of velocities, GS/ETA, crosswind components, 1-in-60 rule, IAS/CAS/TAS, fixes, and lost procedures.

15%

Navigation Computer Calculations

Whiz-wheel wind solutions, time/speed/distance, fuel, unit conversions, density/true altitude, and TOD planning.

10%

Practical Navigation and Flight Planning

Nav logs, checkpoints, fuel reserves, VOR/DME and ADF position fixing, diversions, and CA 61-91 permitted tools.

Preparing for the SACAA PPL Navigation Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75%
  • Exam length: 30 questions
  • Time limit: 90 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: ~R425–R450 per subject (confirm current SACAA Part 187 fee; ATO invigilation may add charges) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

SACAA PPL Navigation: Suggested Study Strategy

1Drill TVMDC conversions until True→Magnetic→Compass (and the reverse) are automatic, including east/west signs.
2Practise whiz-wheel wind problems daily: heading/GS from track+TAS+wind, then wind-finding from observed track/GS.
3Memorise 1-in-60 and the 30°/45°/60° crosswind fraction rules for quick mental checks.
4Know Lambert vs Mercator properties and that distance is measured on the latitude scale near your route.
5Review Southern Hemisphere compass acceleration and turning errors — many textbooks default to Northern Hemisphere mnemonics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the pass mark for the SACAA PPL General Navigation exam?

CAR 61.01.10 sets the pass mark for SACAA theoretical knowledge examinations at 75%. There is no negative marking, so unanswered questions should still be attempted before time expires.

How many questions and how much time does SACAA PPL General Navigation allow?

General Navigation is commonly scheduled for about 90 minutes (SA-CATS 61 examination duration teaching). Question counts are typically in the 20–40 range (often around 30) depending on the paper generated by the SACAA online examination system. Confirm the on-screen timer and count for your sitting.

How much does the SACAA PPL General Navigation exam cost?

Expect roughly R425–R450 per theoretical subject under current SACAA fee practice, but always verify the live Part 187 / SACAA fee schedule. Many ATOs add an invigilation or facility charge on top of the Authority fee.

What tools may I use in the Navigation exam?

CA 61-91 permits pencils, eraser, ruler, protractor/dividers, a mechanical navigation computer (whiz wheel), and permitted electronic calculators. Connected devices such as phones with live GPS are not allowed.

Is Radio Aids part of General Navigation?

On CA 61-91, General Navigation and Radio Aids & Communication are separate examination subjects. Navigation includes charts, DR, magnetism, and flight-computer work; basic VOR/DME/ADF position fixing appears in practical navigation. Dedicated radio-aid theory is examined under Radio Aids & Communication.