CSYA Members Only Tips
CASA Feedback ExpandCommon errors which we noted were:
- Ammeter indications
- Recognition of different fuels
- Fire warning and extinguishing systems
- Correct use of carburettor heat
- Turbo-chargers and associated engine handling
- Understanding of magneto operation
- Correct understanding of vibration either in the main rotor or tail rotor – Helicopter only
Static Underead Climb
Static Overead Descent
Pitot Overead Climb
Pitot Underead Descent
When you keep cranking the engine it overheats starter motor.
They like fuel systems a lot. Know it back to front.
Know your CSU inside and out….Turbos and Superchargers (in a practical sense like if gauges read this….what does it mean).
Know the avionics and electrical system inside and out…centre zero vs left zero ammeter etc
Hydraulics for sure.
Feedback – May 2019 Expand
You should study and know every normal guage and what a high, low or fluctuating reading means. Especially, fuel, oil and ammeters.
Know your ammeters and where they sit when, both left zero and centre zero.
Know your waste gate pressures and how they relate to leaks and performance with leaks in various locations.
Feedback – Jan 2019 Expand
Icing – lots of icing questions. I don’t know the questions, but have heard several people say lots of icing.
From BAK syllabus;
(i) oil temperature and pressure;
(vi) engine icing.
3.4.3 Describe the method for checking the operation of carburettor heat prior to take-off.
3.4.4 State the atmospheric conditions of outside air temperature and relative humidity, engine control settings and power conditions which are conducive to the formation in a carburettor, including the severity of the icing, of the following:
(a) throttle ice;
(b) fuel evaporation ice;
(c) impact ice.
3.4.5 State the danger of progressive throttle increments if engine icing is not diagnosed.
3.4.6 Describe the use of carburettor heat for:
(a) anti-icing;
(b) de-icing;
(c) ground operation.
3.4.7 Describe the difference between the use of ‘alternate air’ and ‘carburettor heat’ controls.
From CPL Syllabus;
Describe the cockpit indications in an aeroplane fitted with a variable pitch propeller which could signify:
(a) the presence of engine ice; and
(b) when engine ice has been cleared after application of ‘carb heat’.
2.2.5 Explain the effect of using carburettor heat on aeroplanes fitted with a CSU
Feedback – Jan 2019 ExpandKnow everything you possibly can about turbochargers and superchargers, as well as how they operate at various altitudes, with leaks (both upstream and downstream) , how they effect max altitude, range, fuel economy, and what heights to cruise at if they are functioning properly or adversely. Some people are geting lots of questions on both these.
Feedback – Mar 2018 ExpandKnow voltmeter questions, what would they show after start, larger range of hydraulic questions, lack of gas/ stand pipes and there use.
Know how fire protection systems work, where they are sprayed into.
Know compass errors.
Know icing (several) , also know throttle icing.
Feedback – Dec 2017 ExpandI used pilotpracticeexams.com and paper based Tait and Avery. these questions cover all content, but the actual exam has some harder questions. Eg: wastegates and how altitude effects them .Also knwo your turbo chargers and superchargers well. No texts cover them and there are questions on them and how they work at altitude.
Taits textbook questions are helpful, but obviously far slower, Avery questions are way over the top hard compared to the exam.
Know waste-gate operation, CSU with low/no oil, best power mixture, low CHT on descent, carb ice symptoms, carb ice and EGT, how to use a DI, fluctuation of oil pressure, function of pressure release valve, inverter functioning, ideal conditions for frozen throttle, difference between frozen pitot and static, magneto problems, ammeter readings, upstream v downstream turbo leaks, compass errors when turning and accelerating.
Feedback – Nov 2017 ExpandFuel colours, ammeter, battery v alternator fault, magneto testing and various errors, ice and carb ice, ice forming conditions above 0°C, hydraulic feedback.
Its not enough to knwo the systems, you need to know how conditions affect each system. Eg how altitude affects power with turbo and SC, ice formation in the throttle etc. As you study make notes on how conditions affect each system.
Use Matts, how to study videos and say the stuff out loud about how each system works. I even explained how things work to my family and after I bored them to sleep, I explained them to myself which really helped. If you can’t explain the systems you will struggle.