Syllabus Mapping for Subject 080 Principles of Flight
This lesson maps the PPL Monkey curriculum for Subject 080 Principles of Flight to the EASA syllabus requirements.
Legal basis
- EU Regulation 1178/2011 (Aircrew Regulation), Part-FCL Annex I.
- AMC1 FCL.215(a) Theoretical Knowledge Examination Syllabus for the PPL(A).
- EASA Easy Access Rules for Part-FCL (latest consolidated edition 2024).
Subject 080 topics per AMC1 FCL.215(a)
The EASA PPL syllabus for 080 — Principles of Flight (Aeroplane) comprises (in essence):
| Chapter | Syllabus topics | Covered in PPL Monkey |
|---|---|---|
| 081 01 | Subsonic aerodynamics | Static/dynamic pressure, Bernoulli, continuity (3 lessons) |
| 081 02 | Airfoil geometry | Geometry, NACA, AoA, angle of incidence (1 lesson) |
| 081 03 | Lift generation | Lift generation, lift equation, CL-α (3 lessons) |
| 081 04 | Drag | Drag, polar (2 lessons) |
| 081 05 | Wing planform | Aspect ratio, planform, washout, wash-in (4 lessons) |
| 081 06 | High-lift devices | Flaps, slats, spoilers (3 lessons) |
| 081 07 | Stall and spin | Stall, spin (2 lessons) |
| 081 08 | Ground effect | Ground effect (1 lesson) |
| 081 09 | Stability | Static/dynamic + pitch/roll/yaw/coupled (5 lessons) |
| 081 10 | Controls | Primary controls, secondary, adverse yaw, trim, mass/aero balance (5 lessons) |
| 081 11 | Turning flight | Level turn, turn rate/radius, climbing/descending turns (3 lessons) |
| 081 12 | V-n diagram and Va | Va, flight envelope (1 lesson) |
| 081 13 | Propeller theory | Propeller foundations (1 lesson) |
Differences from the ATPL theory
ATPL/IR syllabus is considerably more extensive:
- Transonic / supersonic aerodynamics (Mach-number effects).
- Compressibility corrections.
- Shock waves and wave drag.
- Supercritical airfoils.
- Deeper V-n analysis (gust envelopes, combined envelopes).
- Helicopter aerodynamics (for rotor configurations).
PPL Monkey Subject 080 covers PPL level. ATPL deepening in planned Subject 200 (Phase 2).
EASA examination
Subject 080 is examined in the PPL theory exam with typically 15 multiple-choice questions (varies by authority). Pass mark: 75 % correct.
Practical examination (PPL skill test)
The practical exam tests Subject 080 in:
- Stall recovery (power-on, power-off, approach stall).
- Steep turn at 45° bank.
- Coordinated flight (ball centred).
- Slow flight (near stall, manoeuvring).
- Forced landing (best glide speed = Vbg).
Source: AMC2 FCL.235 Skill Test for PPL(A).
Cross-references to other subjects
Subject 080 is foundational to:
- 030 Flight Performance: performance calculations.
- 040 Human Performance: g-loads in turns.
- 050 Meteorology: icing effect on aerodynamics.
- 060 Navigation: wind correction in turns.
- 070 Operational Procedures: all manoeuvres, stall recovery, slip/skid.
- 100 Flight Training: practical application.
Recommendations
- Mesh theory and practice: demonstrate each lesson on an instructor flight.
- Self-experiments: practice stall, slip, steep turn under guidance.
- Use source depth: Anderson and Etkin for advanced study.