EASA & UK CAA Exams & Pilot Licences explained

ATPL theory exams

Please see below the exams you will be sitting during you ATPL theory course. We have provided a more detailed breakdown of each subject, showing the number of questions and the time allowed during each examination for the ECQB 2021(2020) / UKQB2020 syllabus exams. The EASA learning objectives are available on their website.

Subject Code Subject Title Questions Duration
010 Air Law 44 1:00
021 AGK Airframe / Systems / Powerplant 80 2:00
022 AGK Instrumentation 60 1:30
031 Mass & Balance 25 1:15
032 FPP Performance (A) 45 2:00
033 Flight Planning & Monitoring 42 2:00
034 Performance (H) 35 1:15
040 Human Performance 48 1:30
050 Meteorology 84 2:00
061 General Navigation 55 2:15
062 PBN Radio Navigation 66 1:30
070 Operational Procedures 42 1:15
081 Principles of Flight (A) 46 1:30
082 Principles of Flight (H) 42 1:15
090 Communications 34 1:00

EASA Pilot Licence

The Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) is the highest level of aircraft pilot licence, required to command aircraft over 5700 kg or with over 9 passenger seats.

The EASA Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence is a common licence standard that has been agreed by 26 European countries. Bristol Groundschool is approved by the UK CAA and EASA to provide ATPL theory training in the UK, and our training material is used in 15 other countries through our international partners.

EASA is a rulemaking EC body which has taken over responsibility for Airworthiness Directives, aircraft Certification Specifications and licensing standards from the National Authorities such as the UK CAA and the French DGAC. The EASA Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence (ATPL) and Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL) are European licences, accepted in all EU States. Although EASA sets the rules, the National Authorities still exist, and act as agents of EASA, issuing pilot and engineer licences and approving the schools who are allowed to conduct training, normally within their national boundaries.

Bristol Groundschool is approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the Irish Aviation Authority to provide EASA ATPL training in the UK.

Our training material is also used in 15 other countries through our international partners. Although other elements of training can be carried out in different states, all of your ATPL theory exams must be completed under the authority of one single member state. If you want to take your exams in Europe please contact our international partners in the appropriate State. Please note that you must pass all exams within 18 months of your first exam sitting. You have a total of 6 sittings to pass all the exams and no more than 4 attempts at any one subject within those 6 sittings.

Useful to Know

ATPL Air Transport Pilots Licence ATPL(A) ATPL(Aircraft)
ATPL(H) ATPL(Helicopters) CPL Commercial Pilot Licence
CPL(A) CPL(Aeroplane) CPL(H) CPL(Helicopters)
IR Instrument Rating IR(A) IR(Aircraft)
IR(H) IR(Helicopters) MCC Multi-Crew Cooperation training
MEP Multi-Engine Piston Aircraft MEP(L) MEP(Land) aircraft
PPL(A) Private Pilot Licence PPL(A) PPL(Aeroplane)
PPL(H) Private Pilot Licence PPL(H) PPL(Helicopter)