Theory Courses

Delivery Methods

• In-house (Classroom and Online)
• Distance Education (CD-ROM and Online)

Duration

Full-time, all 7 subjects takes approximately 8 to 9 weeks.

Pre-requisites

Prior to sitting the exam you must have sat and passed a BAK (Basic Aeronautical Knowledge) exam with Beckers. We will then endorse your logbook and this must be shown to the examiner.

Subjects

• Aerodynamics
• Aircraft General Knowledge
• Air Law and Flight Rules
• Meteorology
• Navigation
• Performance and Operations
• Human Factors

Exams

Here the rubber meets the road and you get a good idea of how prepared you are for the final CASA CPL(H) theory exam. We give you two to three trial exams which are designed to accurately recreate the work load, style and difficulty of exam questions within time restrictions of the actual CASA CPL(H) examinations. This ensures that by the end of the course, you will have had not only considerable tuition and revision of all subjects, but you will also have developed a very good exam technique. Exam technique can be just as important as knowledge of the topic in the limited time given to complete the exams. If you have not passed at least one of these trial exams we will not let you sit the CASA exams. Instead we will work with you some more, until we are more confident in your results.

Final exams are conducted at a CASA approved exam centre. The final exams are carried out online, and are called cyberexams. You sit one exam per subject. For more information about the CASA Cyberexams, refer to the Student Info Pack.

Qualification

CASA will issue you with a Certificate recording the successful completion of the each exam.

Course Dates

Dates

Enrol

Meteorology

Arguably the most likely event to ruin an inadequately planned flight is the weather. To be able to interpret a medium so changeable one needs a very good grasp of the make up of the atmosphere and how it all interacts to provide the daily variations we experience.

As this subject rules our daily lives, it is a very interesting subject from a personal point of view as well as essential to safe flying operations.

After studying the makeup of the atmosphere and looking at Pressure Temperature and Density, we move on to study clouds, motion of the atmosphere, visibility, icing and a multitude of interesting and fascinating topics. Synoptic Analysis, Upper Level Weather and Climatology all add to the extensive understanding we must have of this subject.

Flight Rules and
Air Law

Where would we be without rules and laws to ensure that we all operate on the same wavelength? We study subjects including Aviation Law, Rules of the Air, Airworthiness, Licensing and Air Traffic Services in this section of the course and this forms a basis for all our flying and ground operations. To know the rules is to know the system and operating within the rules, while not only safe, is peace of mind.

Can you imagine what it would be like if everybody that was flying a helicopter or an airplane did so under their own rules. It is very important that we all understand the rules and regulations so that there can be order in the skies. This makes flying reasonably predictable as you know what to expect from other aircraft and from Air Traffic Services. Having a good grasp of Air Law actually makes you a safer and wiser pilot.

Navigation

The ability to move over the earth’s surface in a controlled manner arriving at a pre planned destination intact and on time is one of the world’s pleasures. Navigation is an art where following well-established principles will give you the ability to fly anywhere in the world with confidence. 

From the wonderful world of Charts and Maps through the mysterious subject of Time Zones we move into the more practical aspects of Navigation covering compasses, Gyros, Radio Navigation, Radar and Route Navigation using Area Nav systems, Radio Nav systems including INS and GPS.

During the course we also look at limitations and errors that these system may have, Weather Radar and the use of ERC charts for navigation and many other types of equipment used in modern navigation.

This is where you learn to get from point A to point B safely and with sufficient fuel. To do this you need to learn how to use your flight navigation computer to calculate your expected ground speed, heading and fuel consumption during a flight and then apply them to plotted positions on aeronautical charts. We will show you different map scales and how to read them and we'll give you some practical tips on how to navigate safely and efficiently.

Aircraft General Knowledge

For most people, learning about a piston engine is not too hard, as many have had a go on a car at some stage in your life. There are some of us, though, who wouldn't know a piston from a crankcase and for you we will endeavour to bring you up to speed. You will spend revising some stuff you already may know and then showing the differences that exist in helicopter engines. Normally turbine engine training is conducted at a later date when you progress into flying your first turbine powered helicopter or as part of your ATPL theory training. This course also covers hydraulics, airframes, electrical, and other aviation general knowledge questions.

Aircraft Systems includes Flight Controls, Hydraulic Systems, Electrical systems and Fuel systems. Gas Turbine theory and Engine construction is a fascinating subject as is FMS (Flight Management Systems), EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrument Systems) and many more.  Some of these subjects we only lightly touch on and other we study to ad nauseum.

Many of these systems will be able to be demonstrated on actual operational machines furthering your understanding.

Aerodynamics
(Principles of flight)

Mike Loves to call this section Principles of Fright!!! Here is where you gain an understanding of why and how the helicopter flies, what influences control inputs and why the blades continue to turn when the engine has stopped! We also cover other factors which effect helicopter flight and how can you get the best performance from your machine. If you have a good understanding of why your helicopter is flying then in all situations you can get the best from it.

This subject covers a very wide range of topics that are essential in the understanding of how your helicopter operates to ensure safe and efficient flight. Various characteristics of helicopter flight can be safely controlled only when you have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of them.

We will study advanced Aerodynamics, stability, Autorotation and then give you a full understanding of the special aerodynamic effects particular to helicopters.

Operations and Performance Planning

Performance and Operations is based on a Bell Long Ranger, and guess what, we have one on the airfield being utilised by the local Rescue organisation that we have access to and you can have a look at. You will learn how to determine the maximum take-off and landing weights your helicopter can achieve under certain conditions, how fast and how high the machine will fly and how far you can travel with the amount of fuel on board. You will gain knowledge and understand the limitations that apply to flying a helicopter and how to avoid dangerous situations.

Flight Planning is the subject that requires the most meticulous calculations and is also the most satisfying, as there is an absolute truth in the axiom of the 5 P’s “Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance” This is where it all comes together and we mix elements of Performance, Loading, Flight Planning, Meteorology and Navigation to produce that perfect flight that is well planned, executed, and conducted in a Professional manner that makes it seem routine. Using the Bell 206 Long Ranger as the Generic Helicopter and the Performance Data Manual provided by CASA we will study Weight and Balance, Route selection, fuel planning and many other essential subjects that lead to conducting a successful flight. PNR (Point of No Return) and CP and ETP (Critical Point and Equal time Point) for multi engine helicopters is an interesting exercise using the calculations we have made for the flight. Each step is dependant on a previous step for the correct answer so accuracy is paramount for each stage.

To be able to operate your helicopter to its full potential thereby yielding value for both the operator and the client while operating within the machines limits and conducting safe operations we must have a very sound knowledge of its performance envelope

This course covers calculation of Weight and Balance, 'Category A' takeoff and landing performance and techniques, 'Category B' performance requirements and CAO 20.7.1(B), so that you understand the reasons behind the operational performance standards.

While it is a “dry” subject it is essential knowledge as Cat A performance is very exacting in its execution.

Human Factors

Knowing how our body works is as important as knowing how our helicopter systems and equipment work. Without an understanding of how our mind and body work, we cannot operate safely in the aviation industry, as it is an unforgiving environment for the uneducated. How well we operate is directly related to how safely the helicopter operates. We are the most important element in any flight. This is another subject which has a personal as well as an aviation element to it and through studying how we behave and process information we can understand others and ourselves. We look at Human Information Processing, Human Behaviour, Attitude Judgment and Decision making as just some of the essential subjects we need to understand for flying safely. Fatigue, Stress and Dehydration are everyday occurrences but can have a very great influence on the conduct of your operations.

Throughout the course, you will have been reading the book "Human Performance and Limitations" We will then spend half a day going over the questions in that book so you gain an understanding of what limits with regards to fatigue, smoking, hearing, sight etc. are placed on you as a pilot. We'll prove to you that a hard night out is going to hurt the next day & remember 8 hours bottle to throttle!!