ATPL GROUND TRAINING SERIES — Page 1

I want to walk you through the opening of your Operational Procedures textbook. This is the title page and introduction for the ATPL Ground Training Series, specifically the volume on Operational Procedures. First, let's look at the map at the top. It shows the North Atlantic region, with lines of latitude and longitude marked — 30°N, 40°N, 50°N, and 40°W, 50°W. You'll see the names of major oceanic control centres: New York, Santa Maria, Gander, Shanwick, and Reykjavik. These are the air traffic control facilities that manage aircraft crossing the North Atlantic. This map is a preview of the North Atlantic airspace structure, which we'll study in detail later in the book. Now, the copyright and legal notice. This textbook is published by CAE Oxford Aviation Academy (UK) Limited, copyright 2014. It's intended for private study only — you may not reproduce, copy, store, lend, hire, or transmit any part of it without written permission. Some material is reproduced with permission from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA), and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). These are the key regulatory bodies that set the standards we operate under. Here's the important part about how to use this book. It's written as a reference work to assist students enrolled on an approved EASA Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) course. The goal is to prepare you for the EASA ATPL theoretical knowledge examinations. But notice the disclaimer: nothing in this book constitutes instruction or advice relating to practical flying. This is theory — the knowledge foundation — not a flight manual. The book does not guarantee absolute accuracy of every detail. More critically, this textbook is not a substitute for the official syllabus. The syllabus is published in the current edition of 'Part-FCL 1' — that's the regulation that defines the training requirements for flight crew licences. The syllabus is the sole authoritative definition of what you must study for the EASA ATPL (A) theoretical knowledge programme. The 'A' stands for Aeroplane, as opposed to helicopter. Finally, a key legal point: you cannot enter yourself for the EASA ATPL (A) theoretical knowledge examinations without first being enrolled in a training school that has been granted approval by an EASA authorised national aviation authority. So your training organisation is your gateway to the exams. CAE Oxford Aviation Academy excludes all liability for loss or damage from relying on this book, except for liability that cannot legally be excluded, such as death or personal injury from their negligence. So in summary: this is your study reference for the Operational Procedures part of the ATPL syllabus. It's a companion to the official syllabus in Part-FCL 1, not a replacement. And you must be enrolled in an approved training school to sit the exams.