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PPL Flight Planning & Performance Prep

Mass & balance, take-off/landing performance, planning the flight.

Written against the published specification.

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Pass mark 9/12 60 minutes UK CAA How many can I get wrong?
About this practice. Revision Robin is built and maintained by Bloor Engineering Ltd, a UK-registered company. Our PPL Flight Planning & Performance Prep questions are written and reviewed in-house to match the current syllabus, each with a plain-English worked explanation. They are original practice material, not the official exam questions and not affiliated with or endorsed by UK CAA. Always confirm current test rules, fees and content with the official provider. See our Terms and Privacy.
Weak on a topic? Drill just that one till it clicks, then move on.
Free practice questions
Try 3 real PPL Flight Planning & Performance Prep questions
Have a go, then reveal the worked explanation. A taster from a bank of 213 original questions. Unlock for unlimited drills and full timed mocks.
Q1. In mass and balance terminology, what is the 'datum'?
  • A.  The point where the centre of gravity must always lie
  • B.  The position of the aircraft's centre of lift
  • C.  The forward limit of the centre of gravity envelope
  • D.  A fixed reference point or line from which all arm measurements are taken
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: D. A fixed reference point or line from which all arm measurements are taken
The datum is an arbitrary fixed reference point, line or plane specified by the manufacturer from which all horizontal arm distances are measured. It is not itself a CG limit — the CG can lie ahead of, behind, or exactly at the datum depending on how it is defined.
Q2. ASDA (Accelerate-Stop Distance Available) is used to assess which scenario?
  • A.  Landing over a 50 ft obstacle with full flap selected
  • B.  Climbing to a safe height after an engine failure just after take-off
  • C.  A rejected take-off, where the aircraft must accelerate and then stop within the declared distance
  • D.  A go-around initiated during a wet-runway landing
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C. A rejected take-off, where the aircraft must accelerate and then stop within the declared distance
ASDA (TORA plus stopway) is the distance available for accelerating to decision speed and then bringing the aircraft to a stop if take-off is abandoned. It has no bearing on landing or airborne climb performance.
Q3. For a given aircraft in steady cruise, if all other factors remain constant but aircraft weight is significantly reduced (e.g. by fuel burn during a long flight), the speed for best range will:
  • A.  Increase, because a lighter aircraft always needs more speed for efficiency
  • B.  Remain unchanged, since best range speed is independent of weight
  • C.  Decrease, because the speed for minimum drag reduces as weight reduces
  • D.  Become undefined, as range calculations assume constant weight
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C. Decrease, because the speed for minimum drag reduces as weight reduces
The speed for minimum drag (and hence best range) varies with the square root of weight — as an aircraft burns off fuel and gets lighter, the optimum best-range speed decreases slightly. This is why some POH range/endurance procedures include a step-down cruise schedule for long flights.
Exam mode
Full mock exam
12 random questions, real timing, marked against the official pass mark. Different every time.
The first 6 of 12 questions are free, with your score on them. Finishing the paper, your result against the pass mark and every answer explained come with the paid version.
Practice material only. This is revision practice, not official training, assessment or certification, and not a substitute for the required course or supervised experience. Always confirm the current requirements with the official awarding body or test provider before relying on it.
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Topic drills
Ten quick questions on one topic, marked instantly with explanations.
1 free drill left.
Mass & balance calculations · 35
Take-off & landing performance · 36
Cruise performance & range · 35
Fuel planning & reserves · 35
NOTAMs, AIP & planning documents · 38
Weight, density altitude & safety factors · 34

Who has to sit the PPL Flight Planning & Performance Prep

Who needs a PPL Flight Planning & Performance Prep?

Required for anyone seeking a UK Private Pilot Licence (PPL(A)) as one of the nine mandatory theoretical knowledge exams.

The real PPL Flight Planning & Performance Prep: format

How many questions are in the PPL Flight Planning & Performance Prep?

The real PPL Flight Planning & Performance Prep has 12 questions and lasts 45 minutes. Our mock uses 12 questions in 60 minutes.

What is the PPL Flight Planning & Performance Prep pass mark?

Real exam pass mark: 75%. Our mock marks you at 9 out of 12, the threshold we mark against.

What it costs, and what a resit costs

How much does the PPL Flight Planning & Performance Prep cost?

Real exam fee: Flight schools typically charge £30-£50 per exam sitting; CAA direct booking for PPL exams can be around £65 per subject. Resit fee: Resit fees are typically £30-£50 per paper. Some EASA theory exam resits are £25. Rebooking after a fail: Up to 4 attempts per subject.

How hard is it

How hard is the PPL Flight Planning & Performance Prep?

Difficulty: Considered one of the harder PPL theory exams due to its practical nature, requiring precise calculations, graph interpretation, and method application.

Why people fail it

Why do people fail the PPL Flight Planning & Performance Prep?

Figures for the real exam from vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the test provider before you book.
PPL Flight Planning & Performance Prep: common questions
Frequently asked
How long do you get?
The test is timed at 60 minutes. Our full mock runs on the same clock so you can practise your pacing.
Are these the real exam questions?
No. Our questions are original and written to match the current syllabus, so they give realistic practice without copying the official paper. Every answer comes with a plain-English explanation. Always confirm current rules and content with UK CAA.