Cranfield Aviation CATS progress tests - PPL

[GAZ45]

Hi all,
I’m currently studying for my PPL exams and have gotten to the topic of Air Law. I am using the AFE PPL books by J.M Pratt and have found them very good. I’ve just finished the Air Law section, and at the end of each chapter I’ve always completed the questions and usually get around 90% or above, if not 100% in every section.

So anyway, feeling confident, I decided to log on to a system called the ‘CATS WB 2.0 powered by Cranfield Aviation’. It’s a system that my flight school is using to aid students completing ground school. When I logged on and completed a ‘progress test’ in air law, I was actually quite shocked to receive the message; “73%, contact your school for remedial training”.

When I looked over the questions that I had wrong, I cross referenced them to the book (which I trust more), and unless I am being a little slow, it appears that the computer system contains some content that is misleading or plain wrong. Take a look... Maybe I am wrong and am in need of a re-revision session. But I am actually staring at my book with the ‘right’ answer in front of me, and the computer is telling me a different answer.

I have written in green italics the answer that I selected, and underlined the correct answer according to the computer system:

1. In the signals square, a red box with a diagonal yellow line means what?
A. Excercise special care when landing
B. The aerodrome is unsafe for aircraft movement
C. The surface is poor, landing is prohibited
D. Exercise special care when landing, the state of the manoeuvring area is poor

The PPL book says: due to the poor condition of the manoeuvring area, pilots should exercise special care when landing.


2. If you are intercepted by a military aircraft, you should attempt contact with the military aircraft on:
A. 123.1MHz
B. 121.5MHz
C. 121.5MHz if no contact, contact 243.0MHz
D. On ATSU freq in use

The PPL book says: Notify the ATSU which you are in contact, establish communication with interceptor on 121.5MHz, giving callsign and flight details, set distress code 7700 mode C on the transponder unless instructed otherwise.


3. What signal does a marsheller give when telling the pilot to turn the aircraft to the right?
A. Right arm extended horizontally and the left arm moved repeatedly upward and backward
B. Left arm down and the right arm moved repeatedly upward and backward
C. Right arm down and the left arm moved repeatedly upward and backward
D. Left arm extended horizontally and the right arm moved repeatedly upward and backward

The PPL book shows: A figure and description of: Left arm extended at 90 degrees to body and right hand and forearm makes a ‘come ahead’ gesture.


4. What is displayed on the altimeter when QNH is set on the subscale?
A. Zero
B. Sea level
C. Airfield elevation
D. Transition altitude

The PPL book says: when QNH is set on the subscale, the altimeter reads altitude above mean sea level (AMSL). I find the question terminology very confusing, because isnt the correct answer actually none of the above? Wouldn't the correct answer actually be: 'altitude above mean sea level'?


There’s an example of 4 questions which I’m pretty sure the computer system is just pure wrong, but please inform me if the error is on my part?

Here are 2 more questions where I’m not so sure because the book isn’t as straight forward to get the answer from, hope you can clarify:

5. Control Areas (CTA) include:
A. CTRs and airways
B. Airways
C. Terminal control areas and CTRs
D. Terminal control areas and airways

I personally was under the impression that a CTA is located around the CTR extending upwards to the base of the TMA. So the question doesn’t really make sense to me, maybe someone could explain because I certainly don’t understand the computers answer that the CTA includes the TMA and
airways?!


6. What are the minimum cloud ceiling limits and ground visibility limits which will allow VFR flight to enter an aerodrome traffic zone (ATZ)?
A. 1500ft ceiling and 5km visibility
B. 1000ft ceiling and 1000m visibility
C. 1000ft ceiling and 5km visibility
D. 1500ft ceiling and 1500m visibility

Apart from the fact I don’t fully understand the terminology of the question (ground visibility?), I’ve got a feeling I’m wrong on this one but I am sitting in front of a chart that states; 5km vis, 1000ft vertically from cloud, 1500m horizontally. Below 3000 AMSL; 5km vis & clear of cloud, surface in sight.


Hope this isn’t too much of a long tedious post; I just need to know if the problem is my brain, or the CATS computer system. If it’s the latter I won’t want to continue using it!

Thanks in advance all!
G

[Conventional Gear]

GAZ as someone who scored 100% in the actual test, a little advice. There is variation in 'correctness' throughout. Some answers are not 'wrong' it is just a case that another is more correct. This is what can drive people slightly crazy, you have studied, you know the core material, it's still possible to select the 'wrong' answer (even if it isn't wrong as such). There are various question banks on the net, some helpful others not vary in content and correctness.

I recommend the PPL Confuser to sort out which is the CAA 'correct' answer and an explanation of why it is 'correct'. Use with caution though, learn from the books first, but makes sure you have a good look through the Confuser explanations before sitting a test. It will save you a lot of frustration.

As an explanation of one of your examples:

4. What is displayed on the altimeter when QNH is set on the subscale?
A. Zero
B. Sea level
C. Airfield elevation
D. Transition altitude

The PPL book says: when QNH is set on the subscale, the altimeter reads altitude above mean sea level (AMSL). I find the question terminology very confusing, because isnt the correct answer actually none of the above? Wouldn't the correct answer actually be: 'altitude above mean sea level'?


Here the correct answer is C. Airfield elevation. Why? Because the aircraft is sat on the ground and if you set QNH whilst sat on the ground and the airfield has an elevation of 300' amsl, then that is what will be shown by the altimeter, 300'. IF you set QFE it would read Zero.

The PPL Confuser is helpful not because it just gives you the correct answers, but rather it explains why they are correct for the given question.

[I Love Flying]

Agree with the above.

I took my exams last year using the Pratt books (to learn and understand the material first), followed by the PPL Confuser to get the hang of how the exam questions would be posed. Finally, I then used the OAT cd rom as a 'double-check' that I knew the material inside out and back to front.

However, if I could have chosen only one exam practice method though, it would have been the Confuser.

Result? I didn't get more than two questions wrong in any exam.

Hope this helps.

[Cusco]

Why don't you give CATS a ring and discuss it with them?

They are a very approachable training organisation.

[thing]

I did my Air Law last Monday (passed thank God, 95%) and I must say I found it all a bit confusing. Take special care in the exam to note whether the question is relating to UK Air Law or European. Stuff like FLs are different for UK and Europe IE we fly the quadrantal, they fly semicircular, so CHECK THE QUESTION!

[Rugbyears]

Well done :D:D

[thing]

Why thank you sir.

Gaz I've been using PPL Quiz to help prep for the exam. £20 for two years subs.

[reportyourlevel]

I'm only an ATCO, so not really a law specialist, nor do I have any experience of how these things are taught to pilots. However, when I learnt law I was encouraged to learn it from the law, not from a book about the law. The documents you need are the AIP (CAP032) and the ANO (CAP93). I will attempt to answer the questions with reference to these documents (paraphrased a bit) and add my comments where applicable.

1. In the signals square, a red box with a diagonal yellow line means what?
A. Excercise special care when landing
B. The aerodrome is unsafe for aircraft movement
C. The surface is poor, landing is prohibited
D. Exercise special care when landing, the state of the manoeuvring area is poor

The PPL book says: due to the poor condition of the manoeuvring area, pilots should exercise special care when landing.

ANO Rule 57. A red panel 3 metres square with a yellow strip along one diagonal 50 centimetres wide signifies the state of the manouevring area is poor and pilots must exercise special care when landing. Answer D is correct.

2. If you are intercepted by a military aircraft, you should attempt contact with the military aircraft on:
A. 123.1MHz
B. 121.5MHz
C. 121.5MHz if no contact, contact 243.0MHz
D. On ATSU freq in use

The PPL book says: Notify the ATSU which you are in contact, establish communication with interceptor on 121.5MHz, giving callsign and flight details, set distress code 7700 mode C on the transponder unless instructed otherwise.

AIP ENR 1.12. An aircraft which is intercepted by another aircraft shall immediately: notify, if possible, the appropriate ATSU; attempt to establish radio communications with the intercepting aircraft...by making a general call on the emergency frequency 121.5 MHz...and if no contact...repeating the call on on the emergency frequency 243 MHz.

This one is about semantics - you are telling the ATSU that you have been intercepted, but you are not trying to call the interceptor on this frequency. To do that you go to 121.5 and then if you get no response you try 243 (if you can). Answer C is correct.

3. What signal does a marsheller give when telling the pilot to turn the aircraft to the right?
A. Right arm extended horizontally and the left arm moved repeatedly upward and backward
B. Left arm down and the right arm moved repeatedly upward and backward
C. Right arm down and the left arm moved repeatedly upward and backward
D. Left arm extended horizontally and the right arm moved repeatedly upward and backward

The PPL book shows: A figure and description of: Left arm extended at 90 degrees to body and right hand and forearm makes a ‘come ahead’ gesture.


ANO Rule 67. Left arm extended at 90 degrees to the body , make "come ahead" signal with right hand means turn right. Answer D is correct.

4. What is displayed on the altimeter when QNH is set on the subscale?
A. Zero
B. Sea level
C. Airfield elevation
D. Transition altitude

The PPL book says: when QNH is set on the subscale, the altimeter reads altitude above mean sea level (AMSL). I find the question terminology very confusing, because isnt the correct answer actually none of the above? Wouldn't the correct answer actually be: 'altitude above mean sea level'?

I can't find a reference for the definition of QNH right now, but it is the pressure at mean sea level. Therefore the altimeter reads the altitude above mean sea level when QNH is set. The numbers you read off the alitmeter therefore depend on where your aeroplane is, as well as what is set on the subscale. On the runway with QNH set it will read the airfield elevation. At mean sea level with QNH set it will read zero. At the transition altitude with QNH set it will read the transition altitude. This is a poor question and your reasoning is correct.

5. Control Areas (CTA) include:
A. CTRs and airways
B. Airways
C. Terminal control areas and CTRs
D. Terminal control areas and airways

I personally was under the impression that a CTA is located around the CTR extending upwards to the base of the TMA. So the question doesn’t really make sense to me, maybe someone could explain because I certainly don’t understand the computers answer that the CTA includes the TMA and
airways?!

ANO article 255. Control area means controlled airspace...which extends upwards from a notified altitude or flight level. A CTR touches the ground, ergo it is not a control area. Answer B could be correct, but answer D is more correct.

6. What are the minimum cloud ceiling limits and ground visibility limits which will allow VFR flight to enter an aerodrome traffic zone (ATZ)?
A. 1500ft ceiling and 5km visibility
B. 1000ft ceiling and 1000m visibility
C. 1000ft ceiling and 5km visibility
D. 1500ft ceiling and 1500m visibility

Apart from the fact I don’t fully understand the terminology of the question (ground visibility?), I’ve got a feeling I’m wrong on this one but I am sitting in front of a chart that states; 5km vis, 1000ft vertically from cloud, 1500m horizontally. Below 3000 AMSL; 5km vis & clear of cloud, surface in sight.

AIP ENR 1.4. It depends on the classification of the airspace - the ATZ takes on the class of the surrounding airspace. Have a look at the different options for different classes of airspace and different aircraft and see if you can make the answer fit (think about helicopters too!)- sorry I'm running out of time.

Hopefully that helps you a bit, feel free to pull apart my answers here or by PM - it's this kind of discussion which is really useful for learning.

[Conventional Gear]

I can't find a reference for the definition of QNH right now, but it is the pressure at mean sea level. Therefore the altimeter reads the altitude above mean sea level when QNH is set. The numbers you read off the alitmeter therefore depend on where your aeroplane is, as well as what is set on the subscale. On the runway with QNH set it will read the airfield elevation. At mean sea level with QNH set it will read zero. At the transition altitude with QNH set it will read the transition altitude. This is a poor question and your reasoning is correct.

Yes it is a poor question. Hence why I recommend the Confuser. Most of the questions in the 'test' are poorly written questions.

Unfortunately the answer has to be either deduced by choosing the most 'consistently' correct answer in the experience of a pilot or by second guessing what part of the core knowledge the author of the question was attempting to test. If they had simply said What would be indicated on the altimeter with the subscale set to QNH when parked at an airfield? The ambiguity of the question would be solved - but that's too obvious for the CAA.

Hence the answer actually is C. Airfield elevation. Annoying but that is a question that does come up in the test with the same poor wording. All the other answers are either a special case (airfield that happens to be at sea level, but C is still correct, transition altitude, well you would have to wonder if you would have QNH set whilst climbing through the transition altitude etc.

I couldn't agree more that one should go for the definitive answers in the AIP if one is asking the question in the real world, however the wording of many of the exam questions leads one to look elsewhere to be able to actually pass the test. It's counter productive as one then starts to doubt the core knowledge - but heck it's just a test get it done then refer to the AIP and not the books which are all out of date in any case. (but so are the exams so remember you are learning what was correct several years ago for some questions)


In all though going back to the CATS test it rather looks like there was a glitch somewhere, as so many of the examples have clearly definable 'correct' answers as OP states but the test indicated incorrect answers.

On the other hand some of the test answers are correct in terms of what one should expect from the test and OP has simply got the answers wrong.

Some of the questions I simply don't understand either as I can't work out what part of the core knowledge they are testing or if any of the answers are actually 'correct'. To me it's adding to the confusion more than necessary to sit the test. ;)

[CharlieDeltaUK]

...Stuff like FLs are different for UK and Europe IE we fly the quadrantal, they fly semicircular...

This distinction isn't mentioned in my Airlaw book. I thought the quadrantal rule was used when flying IFR above transition altitude and that the semicircular rule was applied when you go above FL245. Am I wrong?

[Conventional Gear]

CharlieDeltaUK,

What was meant is that in Europe and most of the rest of the world the quadrantal rule is not used, it is a UK only thing devised to give us something else to remember/worry about :}.

Most of the rest of the world gets on just fine by only using the semicircular rule for IFR flights above the transition (or some specified) altitude.

[GAZ45]

Thanks for all the great replys and info guys! Much appreciated. I've stopped using the CATS system and have found airquiz.com and the PPL confuser very helpful indeed!

Cheers
G

[Conventional Gear]

Best of luck with it G, I liked airquiz.com too. Most people find Air Law the worst of the exams, the others are a little easier to approach and a lot easier to get some enthusiasm about! :ok:

[GAZ45]

Yeah Im finding air law to be really aggravating to get to grips with. It's mainly just remembering airspace classifications and what the differences are, and then aerodrome light signals to aircraft in the air and on the ground. Just a pain to remember. As you said, I'm finding the other subject material alot easier to absorb thankfully!

Cheers
Gareth