Start with the C's — Page 535, Lesson 648

This is the index of the book — the alphabetical listing of every topic and where to find it. Let me walk you through what's here, because an index is a map of the whole syllabus, and it tells you exactly what a professional pilot must master. Start with the C's. Climb Profile is on page 319 — that's the planned path of the aircraft as it climbs, the sequence of speeds and altitudes you fly to get from takeoff to cruise. C of G is on page 11 — that's Centre of Gravity, the point where the aircraft's weight is considered to act. C of P is also on page 11 — Centre of Pressure, the point where the aerodynamic forces act on the wing. These two are fundamental: the relationship between them governs the aircraft's stability and control. Construction of the Flight Path is on page 219 — that's how you build the complete route the aircraft will fly, segment by segment. Contaminated Runways appears on pages 4 and 289 — a runway covered with standing water, slush, snow, or ice. Contaminations is on page 158 — the actual substances on the runway surface. Continuous One Engine Inoperative Power and Continuous One Engine Inoperative Thrust are both on page 5 — these are the power and thrust ratings the engine can sustain indefinitely with one engine failed. The Rating versions, on page 4, are the certified limits for that continuous operation. Correction Factors on page 205 — adjustments applied to performance figures to account for real-world conditions. Cost Index is on page 321 — this is a number the airline sets that balances fuel cost against time cost, and it directly determines your cruise speed. Critical Engine is on page 5 — that's the engine whose failure has the most adverse effect on the aircraft's performance and handling. Cruise Altitudes on page 324 — the altitudes you fly during the cruise phase. Cruise Speeds on page 320 — the speeds you fly at those altitudes. Now the D's. Damp Runway on page 5 — a runway that's wet but not saturated. Decision Speed on page 5 — that's V1, the speed beyond which you must continue the takeoff even if an engine fails. Declared Distances on page 5 — the officially published distances for each runway, like take-off run available and landing distance available. Definitions on page 3 — the formal glossary of terms. Density Altitude on pages 5 and 63 — the altitude the aircraft feels like it's at, based on air density, not the actual height above sea level. Depressurisation on page 328 — loss of cabin pressure. De-rate on page 294 — reducing engine thrust below its maximum for takeoff. Descent on page 93 — the phase of flight coming down from cruise. Despatch Rules on pages 205, 239, and 349 — the regulations governing whether a flight may depart. Drag on pages 5, 28, and 152 — the aerodynamic resistance opposing the aircraft's motion. Drift Down on pages 230 and 329 — the descent to a lower altitude where the aircraft can maintain level flight with one engine failed. Dry Runway on page 5 — a runway with no moisture. Dynamic Hydroplaning on page 159 — when the tyres ride on a film of water and lose contact with the runway surface. Now, the figures I have here support the cruise section. shows Figure 17 — that's the climb schedule. shows Figure 17.2 — a typical climb schedule using a faster indicated airspeed, and it leads into cruise speeds. shows Figure 17.3 — a graph relating long range cruise speed, LRC, to Cost Index. So this index is your roadmap. Every one of these terms — from Centre of Gravity to Dynamic Hydroplaning — is a topic you'll master as we work through the book. We'll start at the beginning with the definitions on page 3 and build from there.