RAAus RPC exams: What you need to know.
Complete walkthrough of the 4 RAAus RPC written exams — pre-solo air legislation, radio endorsement, air legislation, BAK — plus the human factors requirement, radio endorsement, and the flight test. Study references, endorsements, and what's changing under the new syllabus.
The exam sequence at a glance
There are four written exam milestones between your first lesson and your flight test, plus a separate human factors requirement (which most students satisfy through an approved course rather than an exam) and a radio endorsement if you plan to use aviation radios.
| Order | Exam | When | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pre-solo Air Legislation | Before your first solo flight | Written, at your school |
| 2 | Radio Operator Endorsement | Before operating aviation radios | Written + oral, at your school |
| 3 | Air Legislation | Before flight test recommendation | Written, at your school |
| 4 | Basic Aeronautical Knowledge (BAK) | Before flight test recommendation | Written, at your school |
| 5 | Flight test | After all exams passed | Practical flight with CFI |
What's on each exam
1. Pre-solo Air Legislation
You must pass this before your instructor authorizes your first solo. It covers:
- Air law specific to recreational aircraft (CARs, CASRs, CAOs 95.10/95.32/95.55)
- Right of way rules, minimum heights, circuit procedures
- At least 5 questions specific to the procedures and hazards at your training aerodrome
- Radio failure procedures
If your school combines the pre-solo exam with the full Air Legislation exam, the 5 aerodrome-specific questions must still be included and passed.
Study references: RAAus Flight Operations Manual, CASA Visual Flight Rules Guide, AIP, and your school's local procedures briefing.
2. Radio Operator Endorsement
Per Unit 2.04 of the RAAus Syllabus of Flight Training. Required if you plan to use aviation VHF radios. The exam has two parts:
- Written: Radio theory, phraseology, emergency procedures, CTAF procedures
- Oral: Practical radio calls in simulated scenarios
The test is administered by an instructor or RAAus Examiner who holds a radio endorsement or flight radiotelephone operator licence.
Study references: AIP, CASA VFR Guide, ERSA, and practice with your school's radio.
3. Air Legislation
Per Unit 2.02 of the RAAus Syllabus of Flight Training. This is the full air legislation exam — broader and deeper than the pre-solo paper. Covers:
- Air law for recreational aircraft (CARs, CASRs, CAOs 95.10/95.32/95.55) in full
- Airspace classifications, controlled and restricted airspace, NOTAMs
- Right of way, circuit procedures, radio failure procedures
- Aerodrome markings, signs, and lighting
Human factors questions are blended into this exam — expect scenario-based questions that combine air law with decision-making.
Study references: RAAus Flight Operations Manual, CASA Visual Flight Rules Guide, AIP, ERSA, and your school's procedures briefing.
Human Factors (HF)
Per Unit 2.05 of the RAAus Syllabus of Flight Training. Human factors is a separate requirement — but not a mandatory written exam. You have two options:
- Attend and pass an RAAus-approved human factors course (no exam needed)
- Pass a written multiple-choice exam covering human factors, airmanship, and aeronautical decision making
Most schools use the course option, which means you may never sit a standalone human factors exam. Topics include hypoxia, fatigue, spatial disorientation, carbon monoxide, noise, stress, situational awareness, and the IMSAFE checklist. Human factors questions are also blended through the Air Legislation and BAK papers — expect scenario-based questions that combine technical knowledge with decision-making.
Study references: RAAus-approved human factors training materials, AIP, CASA VFR Guide.
4. Basic Aeronautical Knowledge (BAK)
Per Unit 2.01 of the RAAus Syllabus of Flight Training. This is the broadest exam and covers:
- Aerodynamics: lift, drag, stall, angle of attack, washout
- Aircraft systems: engine, fuel, electrical, flight instruments
- Performance: take-off and landing distance, climb performance, W&B
- Meteorology: pressure systems, cloud types, visibility, wind
- Navigation fundamentals: charts, airspace, time, variation
- Human factors and decision-making primer
Study references: RAAus Flight Operations Manual (especially Sections 4.01-4.07), Bureau of Meteorology pilot references, and training manuals recommended by your CFI.
The flight test
After all theory exams are complete, you undergo a flight test with your school's Chief Flying Instructor (CFI), Deputy CFI, or — if assigned by the Head of Flight Operations — a Pilot Examiner.
During the test you demonstrate competence across the full syllabus of flight training. The CFI records the result and recommends you for the issue of a Pilot Certificate.
Pre-requisites for the flight test:
- Minimum 20 hours total flight training
- Minimum 5 hours as pilot in command (solo)
- All theory exams passed per Section 3.03 of the Flight Operations Manual
- Current RAAus membership and medical self-declaration
After the RPC — endorsements
Once you hold your Pilot Certificate, you can add endorsements that expand what you can do. Each endorsement has its own theory exam and minimum experience requirements:
| Endorsement | Theory exam | Flight requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger (PAX) | None (flight test only) | 10 hrs PIC total, 2 hrs PIC on type |
| Cross Country (X) | Navigation written exam (Unit 2.03) | 10 hrs dual + 2 hrs solo XC nav |
| Tail Wheel (TW) | Training + flight test | Per syllabus |
| Radio (R) | Written + oral (Unit 2.04) | N/A |
Cross Country endorsement note: The navigation written exam has a pass mark of 80% and covers charts, computation, weather, flight planning, and in-flight navigation procedures per Unit 2.03 of the syllabus.
Where exams happen
All RAAus pilot exams are conducted at an approved RAAus Flight Training School. They are supervised by school staff — you cannot sit them online or at home. This is a CASA requirement under the Part 149 self-administration framework.
The Head of Flight Operations (Cody Calder as of 2024) prepares or approves all examination papers.
What's changing
RAAus announced in mid-2026 that a revised Syllabus of Flight Training and new Flight Operations Manual are under CASA review. Key changes expected:
- Exam format shifts from topic-based to milestone-based: pre-solo, pre-area solo, and RPC stages — each milestone has an integrated exam rather than separate topic papers
- Exams move online but remain supervised by Flight Training Schools
- Greater emphasis on scenario-based training integrated with human factors throughout the syllabus
- New controlled airspace endorsement allowing non-CASA-licensed pilots to operate in controlled airspace
The current topic-based structure (detailed above) remains in effect until CASA approves the new manual. RAAus has not published a timeline for the transition.
Key questions, short answers
What's the pass mark?
Though the RAAus Flight Operations Manual does not specify a universal pass mark for RPC theory exams, 80% is the standard for all recreational exams.
What happens if I fail?
The FOM does not prescribe a mandatory waiting period. Your CFI determines when you're ready to re-sit based on additional study or training.
Can I transfer my exam results if I change schools?
Yes. The new school's CFI can request your training records and exam results from your previous school, which must provide them within 30 days.
Do I need a radio endorsement?
Only if you plan to use aviation VHF frequencies. If your aircraft has a radio installed and you operate at a CTAF-designated aerodrome, a serviceable radio is required — which means you need the endorsement.
How long are my exam results valid?
The FOM does not set an expiry on exam results. Your Pilot Certificate, once issued, remains valid indefinitely as long as you maintain medical fitness, flight review currency (every 2 years), and recency.
Reference: RAAus Flight Operations Manual Issue 7.1.2 (17 July 2024), Section 3.03 — Flight Tests and Examinations; Section 2.07 — Pilot Certificate requirements.
