ATPL General Navigation Online Course

Overview
Curriculum
Instructor
FAQs

ATPL General Navigation – Online Course

The ATPL General Navigation Online Course provides a structured, exam-focused walkthrough of one of the most calculation-heavy ATPL subjects. Built around 11 concise video lessons with supporting documentation, the course explains General Navigation from first principles through to advanced exam techniques, ensuring you fully understand both the theory and its practical application in ATPL exams.

The course covers latitude and longitude, distance calculations on the Earth, rhumb lines and great circles, chart theory and projections (Mercator, Lambert Conformal and Polar Stereographic), convergence and conversion angles, crosswind and headwind problems, the 1-in-60 rule, vertical navigation, and the practical use of mental dead-reckoning methods. Each lesson is designed to break down complex topics into logical steps, with clear worked examples that mirror how questions are actually asked in the exams.

Written and presented by an experienced ATPL instructor and current airline pilot, this course aligns directly with the published learning objectives and complements the Aviation Insider General Navigation revision notes. It is ideal for structured study, reinforcing weak areas, or building confidence ahead of exams. Access is online, on-demand, and available immediately, allowing you to study at your own pace and revisit key topics whenever needed.

Curriculum

13 Sections
13 Lessons
8 Weeks

Expand all sectionsCollapse all sections

Introduction
1
- 1.1
  Introduction
  4 Minutes
Lesson 1: Latitude, Longitude and Lines on the Earth
1
- 2.1
  Latitude, Longitude and Lines on the Earth
  12 Minutes
Lesson 2: Calculating Distance Using Lats and Longs
1
- 3.1
  Calculating Distance Using Lats and Longs
  21 Minutes
Lesson 3: Convergency and Great Circles
1
- 4.1
  Convergency and Great Circles
  16 Minutes
Lesson 4: Conversion and Rhumb Lines
1
- 5.1
  Conversion and Rhumb Lines
  21 Minutes
Lesson 5: Lambert Conformal Charts
1
- 6.1
  Lambert Conformal Charts
  16 Minutes
Lesson 6: Mercator Chart Theory
1
- 7.1
  Mercator Chart Theory
  4 Minutes
Lesson 7: Polar Stereographic Charts
1
- 8.1
  Stereographic Charts
  17 Minutes
Lesson 8: Scale Calculations
1
- 9.1
  Lesson 8: Scale Calculations
  21 Minutes
Lesson 9: 1 in 60 Rule
1
- 10.1
  1 in 60 Rule
  10 Minutes
Lesson 10: Crosswind/Headwind and MDR
1
- 11.1
  Crosswind/Headwind and MDR
  12 Minutes
Lesson 11: Vertical Navigation
1
- 12.1
  Vertical Navigation
  13 Minutes
Debrief
1
- 14.1
  Debrief
  3 Minutes

Aviation Insider

Aviation Insider is a hub of free and paid information, products, and services for aviation enthusiasts through to professionals. Our instructors have decades of experience.

Is this course suitable if I’m new to General Navigation?

Yes. The course starts with core principles and builds progressively, making it suitable even if General Navigation is not your strongest subject.

Does this course replace ATPL textbooks?

No. It is designed as a focused learning and revision tool that explains the learning objectives clearly without the unnecessary volume found in traditional textbooks.

Are the lessons aligned with the ATPL learning objectives?

Yes. Each lesson is structured around the published learning objectives and typical exam question styles.

Can I use this course for last-minute revision?

Absolutely. The lessons are concise and ideal for refreshing key topics in the final stages before exams.

Is this a live course or self-paced?

This is a fully self-paced online course with immediate access.

Requirements

Basic understanding of ATPL-level mathematics (ratios, percentages, trigonometry)
Familiarity with standard ATPL navigation terminology
Access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet connection
Ability to pause, rewind, and practice calculations alongside the lessons
No specialist navigation equipment required

Features

10 structured video lessons covering the full General Navigation syllabus
Clear step-by-step explanations aligned with exam-style questions
Coverage of charts, great circles, rhumb lines, wind calculations, and vertical navigation
Practical calculation methods including the 1-in-60 rule and mental techniques
Supporting documentation to reinforce key concepts
Taught by experienced ATPL instructors and airline pilots
On-demand access with the ability to revisit lessons anytime
Designed to complement ATPL revision guides and question banks

Target audiences

ATPL students studying General Navigation
Modular and integrated ATPL candidates
Pilots retaking General Navigation exams
Students who struggle with charts, conversions, and navigation calculations
Pilots looking for a clear, structured explanation of GNAV without excessive textbook detail