Airhead Atpl -

Leo stayed up late, drilling mass & balance, flight planning, human performance. He felt ready.

The Airhead’s First ATPL Mock Exam

Question 12: “You are flying at FL180. QNH is 1013 hPa. What is your pressure altitude?” Leo almost wrote “FL180 is pressure altitude” – which is correct in the standard atmosphere. But his hand paused. He remembered Marta’s voice: “Airheads answer fast. Professionals verify.” He checked the QNH: 1013. Exactly standard. Correct. But then he saw the trap—the question was too easy. He re-read: “FL180” means 18,000 ft on standard setting. But if QNH is 1013, then pressure altitude equals FL. That’s fine. But wait—they asked for pressure altitude , not density altitude. He relaxed. Answer: 18,000 ft. Right. airhead atpl

Captain Marta Reyes was known for two things at European Flight Training: a 98% first-time pass rate for her ATPL theory students, and her zero-tolerance policy for “airhead mistakes.” Not the kind where you forget your lunch—the kind that kills. Leo stayed up late, drilling mass & balance,

Then Question 44: “You have 2,500 kg of fuel. Trip fuel 1,800 kg. Alternate fuel 400 kg. Final reserve 300 kg. Extra fuel 0. Is this legal for IFR?” Leo quickly added: 1,800+400+300 = 2,500. Exactly. Legal. He almost ticked “Yes.” But then he remembered: final reserve is for holding at alternate after missed approach. But the regulation says: you need trip + alternate + final reserve + any contingency (5% of trip or 5 min hold). He had not added contingency. Oh no. He had exactly 2,500 kg, but trip 1,800’s 5% is 90 kg. He was short 90 kg of contingency fuel. Illegal. QNH is 1013 hPa