EASA ATPL: All 14 Subjects Explained (What to Expect)

Overview of the 14 EASA ATPL Subjects

The EASA ATPL theoretical knowledge exam is split into 14 separate subjects. Each has its own sitting, its own question count, and its own minimum pass mark of 75%. Here's exactly what to expect from each one.

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### 010 — Air Law Questions: ~44 | Difficulty: Medium

Covers international aviation law (ICAO Annex 1–18), EU regulation, EASA, CAA rules, ATC, and airspace classification. Heavily regulatory — requires memorisation of specific numbers, categories, and limits.

Key focus areas: SERA, EASA Part-FCL, medical requirements, airspace classes A–G, ATC services.

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### 021 — Airframe & Systems, Electrics, Powerplant, Emergency Equipment Questions: ~80 | Difficulty: Hard

The largest and most technical subject. Covers hydraulics, pneumatics, pressurisation, flight controls, engines (piston and turbine), fuel systems, electrical systems, and emergency equipment.

Key focus areas: Turbofan engine components, hydraulic circuit design, pressurisation control, fire detection/suppression.

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### 022 — Instrumentation Questions: ~60 | Difficulty: Hard

Covers every instrument in the cockpit: pitot-static, gyroscopic, magnetic compass, ADC, EFIS, TCAS, GPWS, weather radar, and FMS.

Key focus areas: Instrument errors (position, density, compressibility), gyro precession, compass deviation/variation, TCAS resolution advisories.

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### 031 — Mass & Balance Questions: ~25 | Difficulty: Medium

All calculation-based. You'll compute centre of gravity, check limits, and use load and trim sheets. Requires solid arithmetic under time pressure.

Key focus areas: CG calculations, LAF (load and trim), payload vs. fuel tradeoffs, envelope limits.

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### 032 — Performance Questions: ~50 | Difficulty: Hard

Performance covers take-off, climb, cruise, descent, landing, and balanced field length calculations. Requires reading performance charts accurately under time pressure.

Key focus areas: V-speeds, obstacle clearance, climb gradients, density altitude effects, landing distance factors.

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### 033 — Flight Planning & Monitoring Questions: ~43 | Difficulty: Hard

The most calculation-heavy subject. Covers ICAO flight plans, fuel planning, alternate requirements, PNR, PSR, and enroute calculations.

Key focus areas: ICAO flight plan form, fuel reserves, critical point, PNR, track error corrections.

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### 040 — Human Performance & Limitations Questions: ~48 | Difficulty: Medium

Covers physiology (hypoxia, spatial disorientation, vision), psychology (stress, fatigue, CRM), and pharmacology. More conceptual than calculative.

Key focus areas: Hypoxia types, time of useful consciousness, spatial disorientation illusions, stress/CRM models.

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### 050 — Meteorology Questions: ~84 | Difficulty: Hard

The largest subject by question count. Covers atmosphere, cloud types, weather systems, icing, thunderstorms, METAR/TAF, and turbulence.

Key focus areas: ICAO standard atmosphere, frontal systems, icing types, TAF/METAR codes, wind shear.

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### 061 — General Navigation Questions: ~60 | Difficulty: Very Hard

Covers chart projections, great circle vs. rhumb line, time zones, dead reckoning, and enroute navigation. Requires strong mental maths.

Key focus areas: Mercator vs. Lambert, convergency, variation/deviation, ETA calculations, wind triangles.

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### 062 — Radio Navigation Questions: ~66 | Difficulty: Hard

Covers VOR, DME, NDB/ADF, ILS, GPS/GNSS, radar, and SELCAL. Requires understanding of radio wave propagation and navaid errors.

Key focus areas: VOR radials, DME slant range, ILS glideslope/localiser, GPS RAIM, RNAV.

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### 071 — Operational Procedures Questions: ~45 | Difficulty: Medium

Covers ICAO procedures, NOTAMs, AIP, emergency procedures, special operations (RVSM, MNPS, ETOPS), and dangerous goods.

Key focus areas: ETOPS, RVSM, ATC emergency procedures, dangerous goods classification, NOTAM reading.

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### 081 — Principles of Flight Questions: ~44 | Difficulty: Medium-Hard

Covers aerodynamics: lift/drag, wing design, high-lift devices, stability, control surfaces, and high-speed aerodynamics.

Key focus areas: Bernoulli vs. Newtonian lift, CL/CD curves, Dutch roll, Mach effects, swept wing aerodynamics.

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### 090 — Communications (VFR + IFR) Questions: ~34 | Difficulty: Easy-Medium

Covers standard phraseology, ICAO communication procedures, emergency communications, and SELCAL.

Key focus areas: Standard callsigns, readability scale, emergency squawk codes, distress/urgency procedures.

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How to Tackle All 14

The optimal order for most students:

1. Start with Air Law (010) — establishes regulatory framework early
2. Human Performance (040) — quick win, boosts confidence
3. Meteorology (050) — heavy but foundational for navigation
4. General Navigation (061) — build maths skills early
5. Remaining subjects — in order of exam date

The key is to start SRS (spaced repetition) reviews from the first subject and never stop — even when you move on to new material.