General Navigation: 6 Latest ATPL Questions Explained

General Navigation is one of those ATPL subjects where small calculation mistakes quickly become costly exam errors. Most questions demand precision, correct units, and a solid understanding of navigation logic.

So let’s break down six recently reported General Navigation questions taken from real EASA ATPL exams across multiple authorities within the last 60 days. This blog covers key exam areas such as Lambert charts, track convergence, longitude calculations, rate of climb planning, visual navigation techniques, and arc-to-time conversions.

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6 Latest ATPL GNAV Exam Questions Covered in This Blog 

• AIR-248241: Lambert Conformal Charts — Calculating Track Angle of Arrival

• AIR-248069: Visual Navigation — Position Uncertainty and Ground Reference Techniques

• AIR-248361: Climb Planning — Calculating Required Rate of Climb to Clear Terrain

• AIR-248923: Longitude Calculations — Distance Along a Parallel of Latitude

• AIR-248102: Arc-to-Time Conversion — Calculating Time Difference Between LHR and JFK

• AIR-248355: Earth Convergence — Calculating Convergence Between Two Waypoints

Question 1: Lambert Conformal Chart — Arrival Track Calculation

Question AIR-248241: On a Lambert Conformal Chart with standard parallels at 40°N and 55°N, the initial track angle of an airway from point A (54°N 015°W) to Aalborg (57°N 010°E) is 068°(T).

What will be the track of arrival at Aalborg?

1.  068°T

2.  050°T

3.  093°T

4.  086°T

Correct Answer: 086°T

Explanation

On a Lambert conformal chart, tracks change as you move east or west because meridians converge towards the poles. If you simply maintain one constant heading, your track will gradually drift away from the intended great-circle route.

To calculate the track change, we first calculate the conversion angle:

Conversion Angle = Change in Longitude (°) × sin(Parallel of Origin)

The standard parallels are 40°N and 55°N

So the parallel of origin is the mean: (40 + 55) / 2 = 47.5°

The change in longitude is: 15°W → 10° E = 25°

Now calculate: 25 × sin (47.5°) ≈ 18°

This gives a conversion angle of approximately 18°. 

Now determine whether to add or subtract it using the mnemonic DIDI – Eastbound Increase, Westbound Decrease. 

The flight is eastbound in the Northern Hemisphere, so the arrival track increases: 68° + 18° = 86° T

Exam Tip. For Lambert chart questions, use standard parallels, and calculate the parallel of origin

Question 2: VFR Navigation — Resolving Uncertainty of Position

Question AIR-248069: During a visual flight, a useful method for a pilot to resolve any uncertainty in the aircraft’s position is to maintain visual contact with the ground and…

1. set the heading towards a line feature such as a coastline, motorway, river or railway.

2. fly reverse headings and associated timings until the point of departure is regained.

3. fly expanding circles until a pinpoint is obtained.

4. fly the reverse of the heading being flown prior to becoming uncertain until a pinpoint is obtained.

Correct Answer: set the heading towards a line feature such as a coastline, motorway, river or railway.

Explanation

Under VFR, pilots primarily navigate using dead reckoning, timing, and visual reference points. Normally, navigation works using the principle of Map → Ground.

You first study the chart, then identify features outside. However, once uncertain of position, the process reverses: Ground → Map.

You first identify large, unmistakable ground features and then match them to the chart.

The best features are:

• Coastlines

• Railways

• Major rivers

• Large highways

• Distinct lakes

Small roads or villages are often too difficult to identify reliably from the air.

The 6 C’s of Getting Lost

1. Confess — admit uncertainty early

2. Circle — avoid worsening the situation

3. Climb — improve visibility and terrain clearance

4. Conserve — manage fuel carefully

5. Communicate — contact ATC for assistance

6. Comply — follow the instructions

Exam Tip. If you find yourself unsure of your position (technical term for being lost):

• Do not blindly reverse heading

• Stabilise the situation first

• Use large visual references only

Question 3: Required Rate of Climb — Mountain Crossing

Question AIR-248361: Determine the necessary rate of climb for the given situation:

An aircraft cruising at FL120 needs to cross a mountain ridge at a minimum safe altitude of 18,500 ft AMSL. QNH is 1000 hPa from an observation at MSL with ISA air temperature.

The distance to the mountain ridge is 60 NM, TAS is 120 kt, and there is a tailwind of 25 kt. 

1. 280  ft/min

2. 190 ft/min

3. 250 ft/min

4. 230 ft/min

Correct Answer: Approximately 280 ft/min

Explanation

This is a classic ATPL trap question involving flight levels, altitudes, and pressure corrections.

You cannot directly compare a flight level with an altitude unless both use the same pressure datum.

First, convert FL120 into altitude using the given QNH.

Standard pressure: 1013 hPa

Difference from QNH: 13 hPa

Using the 30 ft per hPa rule: 13 × 30 = 390 ft

So:  12,000 - 390 = 11,610 ft

Now calculate the altitude gain required: 18,500 - 11,610 = 6,890 ft

Groundspeed: TAS 120 kt, Tailwind 25 kt. Result: 120 + 25 = 145 kt

Time to travel 60 NM: 60 / 145 × 60 ≈ 24.8 minutes

Finally: 6890 / 24.8 ≈ 280 ft/min

Exam Tip. Never mix flight levels, altitudes, or QNH references. Always convert to a common datum first.

Question 4: Departure Calculation — Difference in Longitude

Question AIR-248923: Two places on the parallel of 47°S lie 757.8 km apart. Calculate the difference in longitude.

1. 9º19’

2. 4º51’

3. 4º39’

4. 10º00’

Correct Answer: Approximately 10° (600')

Explanation

This is a standard departure formula question. First, convert kilometres into nautical miles. Then apply the formula:

Departure = Difference in Longitude × cos(Latitude)

For departure calculations, always use cosine. Convergence uses sine.

After rearranging the equation, the result is approximately: 10° = 600'

Remember: 1° = 60'

ATPL exams frequently require answers in minutes rather than degrees.

Question 5: Arc-to-Arc Time Difference — Heathrow to JFK

Question AIR-248102: An aircraft departs London Heathrow (LHR) (51°28'42"N, 000°27'42"W) to fly to New York (JFK) (40°38'23"N, 073°46'44"W). Calculate the arc-to-time difference between LHR and JFK.

• 4 hours 55 minutes

• 4 hours 53 minutes

• 4 hours 00 minutes

• 4 hours 57 minutes

Correct Answer: 4 hours 53 minutes

Explanation

Arc-to-time questions are based on the relationship between Earth’s rotation, longitude, and time. Since the Earth rotates through 360° in 24 hours, we can use a simple set of conversions:

• 15° = 1 hour

• 1° = 4 minutes

• 1' = 4 seconds

To calculate the arc-to-arc time difference between London Heathrow and JFK, we first determine the Change of Longitude.

Both airports are located in the western hemisphere, so we apply the rule:

Same hemisphere = subtract.

073°46′44′′W − 000°27′42′′W=073°19′02′′

Now convert the longitude difference into time:

• 73° × 4 min = 292 minutes

• 19' × 4 sec = 76 seconds ≈ 1 minute 16 seconds

This gives a total of approximately: 293 minutes = 4 hours 53 minutes

For ATPL exam purposes, the seconds of arc can usually be ignored, as they correspond to less than one second of time and do not affect the final rounded answer.

This topic is closely linked to GMT, UTC, Local Mean Time, Standard Time zones, International Date Line.

Remember:

• UTC and GMT are effectively identical for ATPL purposes

• UTC is based on atomic time

• GMT is based on Greenwich Mean Time

Question 6: Earth Convergence Calculation

Question AIR-248355: What is the approximate value of Earth convergence between waypoints A (60°58'N, 007°31'E) and B (50°58'N, 017°52'W)?

• 21º

• 9º

• 19º

• 14º

Correct Answer: Approximately 21° 

Explanation

This question is very similar to Lambert chart conversion angle calculations.

The key difference – no standard parallels are provided. Therefore, use the mean latitude directly.

Mean latitude: 55° 58' 

Now apply the convergence formula:

Convergence = Change in Longitude × sin (Mean Latitude)

Longitude difference: 25° 23' Calculation: 25° 23' × sin(55° 58') = 21°02''34"

Exam Tip. If no Lambert chart is specified, use mean latitude directly, and ignore standard parallels entirely.

Next step: Open the Airhead ATPL question bank.

Start practising and turn understanding into exam performance.

ATPL General Navigation Exam Overview 

If you need a quick refresher, we’ve added an ATPL General Navigation Exam Overview at the end of this walkthrough. It gives you a concise snapshot of what to expect on the day — including the number of questions, exam duration, difficulty level, and key study tips to help you prepare more efficiently. Ideal for anyone currently revising or getting ready to sit the General Navigation soon.

Number of Questions: 55 Exam Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes Difficulty: Medium to Hard 70% of papers passed

General Navigation covers the core navigation principles and techniques required for flight. You’ll work with charts, plotting, great-circle theory, speed, height, temperature, and more. Many of the concepts feel challenging at first, but the questions tend to follow recognisable patterns — and the key to mastering them is consistent practice.

Your early attempts may feel slow and frustrating, but both speed and accuracy improve quickly with repetition. Aim to score 90–95% in Airhead ATPL Question Bank practice exams, as real exam conditions typically reduce performance by around 10–15%. If you’re hitting 95% in practice, you’re in a strong position to achieve 80–85% in the actual exam. Keep going — the progress is worth it.

Check Yourself

What is a Lambert conformal chart in ATPL General Navigation?

A Lambert conformal chart is a map projection commonly used in aviation navigation because it preserves angles and represents great circle tracks accurately over long distances. ATPL exams often test conversion angles, earth convergence, and track changes using Lambert charts.

How do you calculate a conversion angle on a Lambert chart?

The conversion angle is calculated using:

Conversion Angle= Change in Longitude × sin(Parallel of Origin)

On Lambert charts, the parallel of origin is the mean latitude between the two standard parallels.

What is the “DI/DI” rule in navigation?

“DI/DI” is a mnemonic used for track conversion:

• Eastbound in the Northern Hemisphere → track increases

• Westbound in the Northern Hemisphere → track decreases

It helps determine whether to add or subtract the conversion angle.

How do arc-to-time conversions work in aviation?

Arc-to-time conversions are based on Earth rotating 360° in 24 hours:

• 15° = 1 hour

• 1° = 4 minutes

• 1' = 4 seconds

These conversions are commonly used in ATPL General Navigation questions involving longitude and time calculations.

What should a pilot do if uncertain of position during VFR flight?

A pilot should maintain visual contact with the ground and use the “ground-to-map” principle to identify position. A common memory aid is the “Six C’s”:

1. Confess — admit uncertainty early

2. Circle — avoid worsening the situation

3. Climb — improve visibility and terrain clearance

4. Conserve — manage fuel carefully

5. Communicate — contact ATC for assistance

6. Comply — follow the instructions

How is the rate of climb calculated in ATPL navigation questions?

First, calculate the altitude to gain, then determine the time available using groundspeed and distance. Finally:

Rate of Climb=Altitude to Gain / Time 

Always ensure that flight levels and altitudes use the same pressure reference before calculating.

What is earth convergence in aviation navigation?

Earth convergence is the angle between meridians caused by the Earth’s spherical shape. It is calculated using:

Convergence = Change in Longitude × sin(Mean Latitude)

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