PPL Air Navigation and Flight Planning
19 modules, 209 lessons, 64 interactive simulations and 55 videos.
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About this course
Build the chart-handling, navigation-computer and planning skills you will use throughout your PPL training and on cross-country flights. The course starts with position, direction and distance, then works through charts, altimetry, time, wind, fuel and VFR flight planning using worked examples, practice questions and interactive simulations.
You will need a mechanical navigation computer, an aviation scale ruler, a 360° protractor and a current New Zealand Visual Navigation Chart (VNC), plus pencil and paper. Any New Zealand VNC sheet is suitable, and a physical VNC is required for practice. Choose a ruler with a nautical-mile scale matching your chart and including 1:250,000 for exam practice. Navigation computers, scale rulers and protractors are available from PilotShop at pilotshop.co.nz.
Our demonstrations focus on the E6-B navigation computer, and we recommend using an E6-B with this course. Other varieties of mechanical navigation computer work too. You will practise measuring from A to B, finding tracks and bearings, calculating headings, times and fuel, and producing a complete flight plan.
A practical Real World Flight Planning module brings those skills together on your own VNC. Build the full planning pack, then use it to respond to a departure delay, changed wind, slower progress and a weather diversion before completing the arrival and debrief. Ten flight-planning practice papers provide further chart work, with a version of every paper for each VNC C-series chart pair.
The course covers the NZ CAA PPL Navigation and Flight Planning syllabus, including GNSS and radar. Module reviews, a mixed Practice Exam and a flight-planning Scenario Exam help you consolidate the theory and put it into practice.
What you'll get
- E6-B navigation computer methods taught step by step
- Practical chart work on your own New Zealand VNC
- Exam-style questions and interactive simulations
- A complete flight-planning project with realistic flight scenarios
- Ten flight-planning practice papers, each with versions for every VNC C-series chart pair
Before you start
- No prior navigation knowledge required
- A mechanical navigation computer. We recommend the E6-B used in our demonstrations, but other varieties work too
- An aviation scale ruler with a nautical-mile scale matching your VNC, including 1:250,000 for exam practice
- A 360° protractor
- A current New Zealand VNC. Any sheet is suitable, and a physical chart is required for practice
- Pencil, eraser and paper for calculations and your navigation log
Course content
19 modules and 209 lessons
Frequently asked questions
What does this course cover?
The course covers the NZ CAA PPL Navigation and Flight Planning syllabus: form of the earth, direction, distance and speed, position referencing, altimetry, time and twilight, chart properties and chart reading, flight computer computations, wind components and the triangle of velocities, the 1 in 60 rule and in-flight revisions, route selection, chart and plan preparation, fuel planning, VFR flight navigation techniques, GNSS and radar.
What equipment do I need?
You need a mechanical navigation computer, an aviation scale ruler, a 360° protractor and a current New Zealand Visual Navigation Chart (VNC), plus pencil, eraser and paper. A VNC is required for the practical work. Match your ruler to the chart scale and include 1:250,000 for exam practice. You can purchase the navigation computer, scale ruler and protractor from PilotShop at pilotshop.co.nz.
Which navigation computer should I buy?
Our demonstrations focus on the E6-B, and we recommend using an E6-B with this course. Other varieties of mechanical navigation computer, including CRP models, work too. Their scales and wind-side layout may differ, so follow your model instructions alongside the lesson method. Check the current Aspeq permitted-equipment list before the exam.
Which VNC do I need?
You can purchase any current New Zealand VNC sheet. A sheet covering your local flying area is a useful choice, but no particular region is required. You will use your own chart to measure distances, tracks and bearings and prepare a route and full flight plan.
Are there practice papers for my VNC?
Yes. Each of the ten flight-planning practice papers has a version for every VNC C-series chart pair, from C1/C2 to C19/C20. Select your chart to work through local routes, chart measurements, navigation calculations and flight-log questions, then check the worked explanations.
Does the course teach real world flight planning?
The Real World Flight Planning module takes you through a complete planning pack on your VNC, including the chart, navigation log, fuel plan, briefing and a practice ATS flight plan. You then use that plan through departure delays, changed winds, slower progress, weather diversions and arrival. Worked examples help you check your method, and the project finishes with a debrief. Have your instructor review a plan before using it for an actual flight.
Do I need any prior knowledge?
No. The course starts from first principles and builds to exam depth, so it suits first-time PPL students as well as licensed pilots wanting a refresher before a cross-country check.
Is it aligned to the NZ CAA syllabus?
Yes. The course is organised around the New Zealand CAA PPL Navigation and Flight Planning syllabus, with lessons, practical activities and practice assessments to support your ASPEQ exam preparation.
How does it prepare me for the exam?
The core modules include worked examples, practice activities and module reviews. A mixed Practice Exam checks knowledge across the subject, while ten chart-based practice papers and a Scenario Exam develop flight-planning skills. Worked explanations help you check your method and revisit gaps.
How long do I have access, and do I get updates?
You get six months of access from enrolment. Content updates released during your access period are included at no extra cost.