HMA | Ground School Training – Phase 3 Review, Tips + Notes
So to give you a little background On ground school & if you have not read any of my previous post about phase 1 & 2 here you go:
- HMA | Ground School Training-Phase 1 Review | Tips + Notes
- HMA | Ground School Training -Phase 2 Review | Tips + Notes
In HMA the ground school training is divided into 3 phases: phase 1, 2, 3. After going thru this challenging ground school we have finally come to an end.
PHASE 3 consists of 5 Subjects:
- General Navigation
- Flight Planning & Monitoring
- Radio Navigation
- Operation Procedures
- Air law 1 & 2
Basically phase 3 in HMA is mostly towards navigation subjects which is not hard. Don’t listen to people when they say General Navigation is hard, there is a way of studying for every subject. For example, you cannot be memorizing mathematics but you should be doing practices . Am I right? So moving on I’ll be giving my review, tips & notes on all these 4 main subjects including Airlaw 1& 2. Let’s start off with General Navigation.
The More You Sweat In Peace, The Less You Bleed In War – Capt Pravesh

AIR LAW 1: 100%
AIR LAW 2: 95%
GENERAL NAVIGATION
General Navigation is easy. You just need enough practice, memorize the properties and know how to differentiate between the charts. Before moving further. I didn’t study at all during the first few weeks of phase 3. I was having this thing called “last phase syndrome”. Failed badly in my first few PT’s(progress test). But ended up well in finals because General Navigation became my favorite subject and I became pro in it. Not to boast I taught 3 of my friends which they all passed as well. If you are facing a hard time answering altimetry refer to my summarized notes which are very helpful. For finals, the question was mostly answerable, and direct questions. As I always say be prepared.
What to focus on General Navigation
- Master the CRP-5 (It should be in your blood)
- The Solar System
- Time & Conversions
- Direction
- Distance (Especially the 4 point departure)
- Magnetism & Compasses
- Charts
- Dead Reckoning Navigation
- In-Flight Navigation
- Focus more on formulas and 1-60 Rule
- These are the things which have to focus more and pay attention to And the theory part please master it
- As I say General Navigation is easy & Practice makes perfect.
For Notes: General Navigation (Click Here)
Solutions for challenging questions: Question & Solution (Click Here)
RADIO NAVIGATION
RA is a subject where we learn how navigation is done based on radio stations & instruments. All we learn is the frequency & bandwidth it is allocated, the working principle, how to read the instruments and etc. Interesting subject and fun to learn. Focus more on GPS.
Main Areas:
- Basic Radio Propagation Theory
- The frequencies
- VDF
- VOR/Doppler VOR
- NDB/ADF
- DME
- ILS
- MLS
- All Radar
- Area Navigation ( Mostly FMS & Modes very important)
- GNSS
- ILS- Maker Beacons Frequency And Colour
- GNSS
- FMS- The 6 pictures and modes and their details
For Notes: Radio Navigation Notes Compiled (Click Here)
FLIGHT PLANNING & MONITORING
In-flight planning, I would suggest one thing which is don’t over-study. I scored 89% in my license examination.
Focus More:
- Fuel Penalty Questions (Solutions Included In My notes)
But still, I did all as practice
- Do all VFR & IFR chart ( took me about 16 hrs)
- Pre-Flight Preparation
- ICAO (Flight Plan)
- Flight Monitoring & In-Flight Replanning
As a responsible cadet don’t mark your Jeppeson Charts.
Ignore:
- GSPRM Charts if your Jeppesen is not GSPRM
- Graphs that are not in CAP697
For Notes: Flight Planning (Click Here)
Operational Procedures
Operational Procedures Is Fun and Is a Necessity When working in the real world.
Very Useful: Operational Procedures Summary ( Click Here)
Air law 1&2
I expect that your school will have all the compilation of past year questions which will be very helpful.
Study both the MCAR 1996/2016 and Rules Of The Air. Mainly on marshaling and light signals are important.

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AIR LAW 1: 100%
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AIR LAW 2: 95%
So there you go guys, that’s all the review and tips I can provide throughout my journey in ground school. I hope it helps in your preparation and good luck.