ATPL Subjects and EASA Theoretical Examination
ATPL theoretical training requires a thorough knowledge of many subjects that are essential for a career as an airline pilot. The syllabus covers areas such as aviation regulations, aircraft systems, navigation, meteorology, performance and operational procedures.
The ATPL theoretical examination is organised around several subjects defined within the European regulatory framework. To prepare effectively for the examinations, it is important to study each subject regularly and practise with questions covering the EASA knowledge objectives.
ATPL Syllabus Subjects
010 - Air Law
This subject covers the regulations applicable to civil aviation, rules of the air, the responsibilities of the various parties involved and the main regulatory provisions that professional pilots need to know.
021 - Aircraft General Knowledge
This subject covers the aircraft structure, systems and equipment. It includes the principles of operation of electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, as well as aircraft powerplants.
022 - Instrumentation
Instrumentation covers the flight instruments and systems used to provide pilots with the information required to operate the aircraft, including indications of airspeed, altitude, heading and attitude.
031 - Mass and Balance
Pilots must be able to determine aircraft masses and ensure that the centre of gravity remains within the specified limits. This subject covers mass and balance calculations and the effects of changes in loading and centre of gravity on flight.
032 - Performance
Aircraft performance covers the capabilities of an aircraft under different flight conditions. The calculations include take-off, climb, cruise, descent and landing performance.
033 - Flight Planning and Monitoring
This subject covers the knowledge required for flight preparation and monitoring. It includes flight planning, fuel consumption, diversions and the various factors that must be considered before and during a flight.
040 - Human Performance
Human Performance deals with the capabilities and limitations of pilots. Topics include physiology, perception, decision-making, communication, workload and the main factors that can affect human performance.
050 - Meteorology
Meteorology is an important part of ATPL training. The syllabus covers the atmosphere, weather phenomena, fronts, clouds, precipitation, wind, visibility and the use of meteorological information for flight planning and operations.
061 - General Navigation
This subject covers the principles of air navigation and the methods used to determine an aircraft's position and track. It includes dead reckoning, charts, headings, tracks, distances and the effects of wind.
062 - Radio Navigation
Radio Navigation covers the various navigation systems based on radio aids. Candidates must understand the operating principles and use of the main radio navigation systems.
070 - Operational Procedures
This subject covers the procedures used in aircraft operations. It includes normal and abnormal procedures, flight safety and the various operational aspects that professional pilots need to know.
081 - Principles of Flight
Principles of Flight provides an understanding of the aerodynamic phenomena that affect aircraft behaviour. The syllabus covers lift, drag, stability, stalls and the different flight regimes.
090 - Communications
This subject covers aviation communications and the phraseology used between flight crews and air traffic services. It includes communication procedures and standard expressions used in aviation.
How to Prepare for the ATPL Theoretical Examination?
ATPL preparation requires regular study across all subjects. There is a large amount of knowledge to acquire, with some topics requiring memorisation while others require an understanding of calculation methods or underlying principles.
QCMs allow you to test your knowledge and quickly identify areas that still need to be studied. Effective preparation involves alternating between learning, practising with questions and reviewing mistakes.
ATPL QCMs and EASA Knowledge Objectives
Practice questions allow you to work on the different knowledge objectives covered by the theoretical syllabus. The explanations provided with the questions are particularly useful when an answer is incorrect, as they help you understand the expected reasoning and review the relevant subject.
Preparing for the examination is therefore not simply a matter of memorising answers to QCMs. It is important to understand the concepts studied so that you can apply your knowledge in different situations.
ATPL Syllabus and the ECQB Question Bank
European theoretical examinations use the EASA European Central Question Bank (ECQB). This question bank is regularly updated to take account of regulatory, technical and educational developments.
The ECQB and the ATPL theoretical syllabus are therefore related but different concepts: the syllabus defines the knowledge that candidates are expected to acquire, while the question bank provides questions used for theoretical examinations.
To better understand how this question bank works, see our page What is the ECQB?.
Regular Preparation to Make Progress
The amount of knowledge required for the ATPL may seem considerable. Regular study allows you to spread the workload across the different subjects and monitor your progress step by step.
The aim of QCMs is to allow you to practise throughout your preparation, review difficult topics and consolidate your knowledge before taking the ATPL theoretical examinations.
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