The CASA CPL Aerodynamics Exam Information
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Commercial pilot licence aerodynamics (aeroplane) exam – CADA
The exams include multiple-choice questions and questions where you type a whole number in a box.
You have 1.5 hours to complete the exam.
To pass, you will need to get at least 70% of the marks.
The exams cost $157.09 each ($92.09 invigilator fee and $65 CASA fee).
Preparing for your exam
The exams will test your knowledge on the syllabus in Part 61 Manual of Standards (MOS) schedule 3.
Permitted material
Your invigilator will give you some things before the exam, which you must hand back at the end. These include:
- pen
- pencil
- ruler
- eraser
- scribble pad.
Pass rates
You can see how candidates in 2020 performed in their CADA exam.
| Year | 0 – 54% | 55 – 59% | 60 – 64% | 65 – 69% | 70 – 74% | 75 – 79% | 80+% | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5.97 | 4.27 | 7.46 | 9.52 | 13.33 | 17.91 | 41.53 | 72.77% |
| 2021 | 5.98 | 5.40 | 8.68 | 11.45 | 14.15 | 15.03 | 39.31 | 68.49% |
Common errors
The following areas have been weak areas for candidates:
- spoilers and vortex generators
- knowledge of range and endurance flying
- wing design – anhedral, dihedral, aspect ratio, wash-out
- factors affecting aircraft stability
- flow dynamics – pressure changes with changes in angles of attack
- take-off and landing – ‘ground effect’ and how it effects aeroplane performance.
Pass percentage and pass rate for previous years
The percentage score required for a pass is 70%.
| % Score band | Pass rate | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 54 (%) | 55 – 59 (%) | 60 – 64 (%) | 65 – 69 (%) | 70 – 74 (%) | 75 – 79 (%) | 80+ (%) | ||
| 2014 | 6.15 | 5.12 | 7.10 | 11.13 | 15.67 | 16.40 | 38.43 | 70.50% |
| 2015 | 4.73 | 4.65 | 7.88 | 10.24 | 13.48 | 17.42 | 41.61 | 72.50% |
| 2016 | 3.46 | 3.80 | 7.94 | 9.30 | 13.24 | 16.50 | 45.76 | 75.49% |
| 2017 | 5.98 | 3.64 | 6.97 | 11.28 | 14.36 | 15.23 | 42.54 | 72.13% |
| 2018 | 5.76 | 4.57 | 7.23 | 11.29 | 14.00 | 15.81 | 41.33 | 71.15% |
| 2019 | 4.34 | 3.82 | 7.02 | 10.02 | 14.18 | 15.85 | 44.77 | 74.80% |
| 2020 | 5.97 | 4.27 | 7.46 | 9.52 | 13.33 | 17.91 | 41.53 | 72.77% |
Subject feedback for previous years
Most topics have been well handled. However a higher than expected percentage of candidates appears to be inadequately prepared in the following areas:
- Spoilers and vortex generators
- Knowledge of range and endurance flying
- Wing design – anhedral, dihedral, aspect ratio, wash-out
- Factors affecting aircraft stability
- Flow dynamics – pressure changes with changes in angles of attack
- Take-off and landing – ‘ground effect’ and how it effects aeroplane performance