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CASA Theory Exam
Quick Reference Guide

Covers: RPL · PPL (aeroplane & helicopter) · CPL (aeroplane & helicopter) · RePL (Part 101 MOS)
Sources: CASR Part 61 MOS Schedule 3 (exam syllabus), AIP ENR/AD/GEN, CAAP, CASA weight & balance circulars
Aero Academic is an independent education platform, not affiliated with or endorsed by CASA.

1 · CASA Exam Syllabus — CASR Part 61 MOS Schedule 3

CASA's exam questions are referenced to topic codes in Schedule 3 of the Part 61 MOS. Each Aero Academic question is tagged with its MOS code so your KDR report shows exactly which sections to review.

Topic A — Meteorology
A1 — Atmosphere structure A2 — Pressure & temperature A3 — Wind A4 — Moisture & cloud A5 — Stability A6 — Fronts A7 — Thunderstorms A8 — Icing A9 — Aviation weather services A10 — Weather charts
Topic B — Navigation
B1 — Maps & charts B2 — Latitude & longitude B3 — Time B4 — Magnetic variation B5 — Dead reckoning B6 — Radio navigation B7 — GPS
Topic C — Aerodynamics
C1 — Aerofoil theory C2 — Four forces C3 — Stability C4 — Stall & spin C5 — High-speed flight C6 — Helicopter aerodynamics
Topic D — Aircraft General Knowledge
D1 — Airframe & systems D2 — Piston engine D3 — Fuel systems D4 — Electrical system D5 — Instruments — pitot-static D6 — Instruments — gyroscopic D7 — Avionics D8 — Helicopter systems
Topic E — Flight Performance & Planning
E1 — Weight & balance E2 — Performance — takeoff E3 — Performance — cruise E4 — Performance — landing E5 — Fuel planning E6 — Mass & balance — helicopter
Topic F — Air Law (CASR/CAAP)
F1 — Certificates & ratings F2 — Medical requirements F3 — Aircraft registration F4 — Rules of the air F5 — Airspace F6 — Flight notification & plans F7 — ATC services F8 — SARTIME F9 — Accidents & incidents
Topic G — Human Factors
G1 — Physiology G2 — Psychology & cognition G3 — Crew resource management G4 — Threats & errors
RePL — Part 101 MOS Schedule 4 exam areas Australian RPAS regulations (CASR Part 101) · Airspace classification · Weather for RPAS · Loading & performance · Emergency procedures · Radio communications · Crew resource management. Exam: 40 questions, 60-minute time limit, pass mark 70%.

2 · Key Formulas & Rules of Thumb

Density Altitude
DA ≈ PA + 120 × (OAT − ISA temp)
ISA temp at altitude = 15°C − (2°C per 1,000 ft). Use the flight computer or performance chart for precision. Standard sea level: 15°C / 1013.25 hPa.
True Airspeed (rule of thumb)
TAS ≈ IAS + 2% per 1,000 ft
At 10,000 ft, TAS ≈ IAS × 1.20. The CASA exam expects you to use the flight computer, not this approximation, for navigation questions.
Weight & Balance — CG
CG = Total Moment ÷ Total Weight
Moment = Mass (kg) × Arm (m from datum). CG must fall within the approved envelope in the POH/AFM at all phases of flight.
Fuel Endurance
Endurance = Usable Fuel ÷ Fuel Flow
CASR 91.465: fixed reserve (day VFR) = 30 min at cruise. Night VFR or IFR: 45 min. Fuel in litres — convert to mass using SG (AVGAS 0.72 kg/L).
Magnetic Heading (TVMDC)
TC → ±WCA → TH → ±VAR → MH → ±DEV → CH
In Australia: variation is East across most of the continent, so subtract. Deviation from compass swing card.
QNH / Altimeter
Each 1 hPa = approx 30 ft
QNH: set to read AMSL elevation on the ground. QFE: reads zero on the ground. Transition altitude in Australia = 10,000 ft AMSL (FL100).
SARTIME
SARTIME = ETA + 1 hour (VFR)
File with NAIPS. If SARTIME passes without cancellation, Airservices initiates DETRESFA. Always cancel via NAIPS or radio immediately after landing.
Load Factor in Turns
LF = 1 ÷ cos(bank angle)
At 60°: 2G. Stall speed increases as √LF — at 60° bank, stall speed = √2 × Vs1. Structural limits in normal category: +3.8G / −1.5G.

3 · Australian Airspace Classification & VFR Requirements

Class Where found VFR entry VFR visibility VFR cloud
AFL180–FL600 across Australia; also SFC–FL245 over aerodromes with Class A SFCATC clearance; IFR onlyIFR only (no VFR)
CSFC to FL245 around major aerodromes (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide)ATC clearance; transponder + Mode C5 km / 8 km at night1,500 m horizontal, 300 m (1,000 ft) vertical
DSFC to designated ceiling around controlled aerodromes (Tower CTR)ATC clearance; two-way radio5 km1,500 m horizontal, 300 m (1,000 ft) vertical
EAbove Class D / G to Class C base; also terminal areasNo ATC clearance; 1013 hPa above transition5 km1,500 m horizontal, 300 m (1,000 ft) vertical
GEverything else (most VFR flying occurs here)No ATC clearance or transponder req.5 km (day); 8 km (night)Clear of cloud (day); 1,500 m / 300 m (night)
CTAF / GAAP / MBZ — key differences CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency): mandatory broadcast area at aerodromes without ATC. Use MULTICOM 126.7 if no published CTAF. GAAP (General Aviation Aerodrome Procedures): tower-controlled, specific GAAP rules apply. MBZ (Mandatory Broadcast Zone): 10 NM radius, SFC–5,000 ft AMSL around aerodromes where terrain/traffic makes CTAF appropriate. Broadcast is mandatory, not ATC clearance.

4 · VFR Rules — CASR Part 91

RuleDetailCASR Reference
Day VFR fuel reserve30 minutes at cruise power after reaching destination91.465(2)(a)
Night VFR fuel reserve45 minutes at cruise power after reaching destination91.465(2)(b)
VFR on top — day5 km visibility, 1,500 m horizontal / 300 m vertical from cloud91.245
Cruising levelsOdd hundreds + 500 ft (magnetic track 000–179°); even hundreds + 500 ft (180–359°)AIP ENR 1.7
Low-level VFRAt or below 3,000 ft AMSL or 1,000 ft AGL (whichever is lower): 5 km viz, clear of cloudAIP ENR 1.2
Minimum height over built-up areas1,000 ft above highest obstacle within 300 m of route; not below 1,000 ft AGL91.270
Aerobatics — minimum height3,000 ft AGL except over land with landowner permission, then 1,500 ft AGL91.280
Carriage of oxygenAny occupant above FL250; pilot above FL100 for >30 min (supplemental O₂)91.615
SARTIME lodgementRequired for any VFR flight over water >50 NM from shore, or where rescue is unlikely within 24 hoursAIP GEN 3.3

5 · Weather — METAR & SPECI Quick Decode

METAR YSSY 150000Z 18015G25KT 9999 FEW025 BKN060 22/16 Q1012 NOSIG
FieldExampleMeaning
Wind18015G25KT180° (T), 15 kt mean, gusting 25 kt. VRB = variable direction. 00000KT = calm.
Visibility999910 km or more. Reported in metres in Australia. R/W/U appended if variable (RVR).
CloudFEW025 BKN060FEW (1–2 oktas) at 2,500 ft; BKN (5–7 oktas) at 6,000 ft. SCT = 3–4 oktas. OVC = 8 oktas. Heights in hundreds of feet AGL.
Temp/Dew22/1622°C temperature, 16°C dew point. Spread < 3°C → fog or low cloud likely.
QNHQ10121012 hPa. Set in altimeter sub-scale for altitude above MSL. Below 1013 hPa = altimeter over-reads below actual altitude.

SIGMET, AIRMET & SIGWX triggers

ProductIssued whenSource
SIGMETSevere turbulence, severe icing, widespread dust/sand storm, tropical cyclone, volcanic ashBureau of Meteorology (BoM)
AIRMET (Sierra)IFR conditions: ceilings <3,000 ft and/or viz <5 kmBoM
AIRMET (Tango)Moderate turbulence, sustained surface winds >30 ktBoM
AIRMET (Zulu)Moderate icing, freezing level dataBoM

6 · AIP & Key CASA Publications Index

DocumentSectionKey topics
AIP GENGEN 1–5Rules of the air, nationality marks, altimetry, time, SARTIME/SARWATCH procedures
AIP ENR 1.1General RulesRight-of-way, lights, distress signals, wake turbulence separation
AIP ENR 1.2VFR RulesVFR minima by airspace class, OCTA rules, low-level VFR, special VFR
AIP ENR 1.4AirspaceClass A–G definitions, prohibited/restricted/danger areas, ARFOR regions
AIP ENR 1.6ATS SurveillanceTransponder requirements by airspace, SSR codes, ADSB
AIP ENR 1.7Cruising LevelsSemi-circular rule (odd/even 500 ft), IFR level selection
AIP AD 1AerodromesAerodrome categories, obstacle limitation surfaces, CTAF/GAAP/MBZ procedures
CASR Part 61LicensingCertificates, ratings, endorsements, recency requirements, MOS Schedule 3 exam syllabus
CASR Part 91Operating RulesVFR/IFR flight rules, fuel, oxygen, SARTIME, carriage requirements
CASR Part 101Unmanned AircraftRPA regulations, RPAS operator accreditation, RePL, exclusion zones, registration
CAAP 235CWeight & BalanceMass & balance guidance for GA operators

7 · Common CASA Exam Traps

Variation east vs. compass rose In eastern Australia, magnetic variation is approximately 11–12°E. True heading = Magnetic heading − East variation. The CASA exam often asks you to go from a magnetic track to a true track: True = Magnetic − East (or + West). Mnemonic: add East to go to True if variation is East.
Carburettor icing — temperature range Most likely between −7°C and +21°C with high relative humidity — this includes mild, sunny days. Power reduction (approach/descent) is the highest risk phase. Never wait for RPM drop before applying carb heat; apply before reducing power.
SARTIME vs. SARWATCH SARTIME: you set a time after which Airservices initiates SAR if they have not heard from you. Cancel it. SARWATCH: Airservices monitors your track; you do not set it; initiated by ATC for IFR or on request. A SARWATCH does NOT replace a SARTIME for VFR flights.
QNH / QFE / QNE QNH: altimeter reads AMSL. QFE: reads zero at the aerodrome reference point (not common in Australia). QNE: standard setting (1013.25 hPa) — used above transition altitude (FL100 in Australia) and when climbing through transition altitude from below. Set 1013 before crossing FL100.
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Questions are mapped to CASR Part 61 MOS Schedule 3 topic codes.
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Guide updated September 2026