Some people think you need to be a maths or physics genius to become a pilot. Thats not true.
A reasonable level of these skills is helpful, but the depth of knowledge needed in these areas is not particularly high so for the average person the aviation theory courses are quite manageable.
There is a lot to lean and you will need to study hard, but its nothing you can’t handle.
For every stage of your flight training you need to undertake both practical flying (and pass a flight test) and theory training (and pass a theory exam). The theory course syllabus is set by CASA and although we teach the courses, you will need to undertake a CASA exam (except for the first course known as Basic Aeronautical Knowledge).
So here it is in steps: Aviation Theory
Step 1: Basic Aeronautical Knowledge
This is a general course providing information on aircraft performance, systems, aerodynamics, local meteorology, loading and radio use.
Step 2: Private Pilot License
This course covers a range of subjects and prepares you for a single PPL exam. It includes Meteorology, Air Law, Human Factors in Flight, Navigation, Aircraft General Knowledge, Aerodynamics and Aircraft Performance.
Step 3: Commercial Pilot License
There are 7 exams to prepare for in the CPL course. They are: Aerodynamics, Meteorology, Aircraft Performance, Aircraft General Knowledge, Navigation, Air Law and Human Factors and Limitations.
As you may have noted, aviation theory is practical and covers “need to know” information for a pilot.
For example, you need to be able to read the weather and understand the impact of various weather conditions and forecasts on your aircraft performance and planned flight, so its essential to have this knowledge in Meteorology. Any pilot should understand how their aircraft flies, so therefore aerodynamics. We don’t drive on the road without knowing the rules, so same goes for flying in the sky – thus Air Law. We need to understand how the engine and systems of the aircraft operate, so General Knowledge. Clearly if you want to take your aircraft from A to B, you need to be able to Navigate, thus Navigation. We need to understand the effects of temperature, pressure, height, runway conditions etc on the performance of our aircraft, thus Aircraft performance. And we also need to understand the effects of flying on the human body and our capacity to make the right decisions, so we learn Human Factors and Limitations.
Step 4: Instrument Rating Theory
This courses teaches you all the rules and procedures for IFR (Instrument Flight Rules), so that you can fly under the same rules and most of the same procedures you will follow when you become an Airline Pilot.
The Aviation theory courses are interesting and practical so enjoy your learning and make sure you gain a solid understanding for your career.