EASA Airline Transport Pilot License Theory

Airline Transport Pilot License Theory (ATPL Theory) is one of the courses in aviation you undertake when completing your modular or integrated flight program. You cannot obtain an EASA ATPL license without completing the ATPL Theory. This is done by successfully passing 14 theoretical exams. The ATPL theory is spent in a classroom environment, is delivered over nine months, and requires a student's focus and dedication to full-time study and revision. The ATPL theory is divided into three sections. It is constructed to teach you all the theories that are required in order to safely and professionally operate an aircraft in a commercial environment. After every completed segment of the course, corresponding exams are taken at the examination center in which the passing grade is 75%.

Summary of Subjects:

METEOROLOGY

The lessons dedicated in the meteorology course provide a better understanding of all aspects of meteorology related to aviation and flight operation. Such knowledge is essential to a pilot's understanding of how weather-related in-flight hazards arise and how they should be predicted, avoided, and dealt with.

AIRCRAFT GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Aircraft general knowledge covers the systems that comprise the essential "organs" of the modern aircraft. Every part of the aircraft is detailed in a comprehensive manner, from the basic structure, the hydraulic, fuel, air conditioning, anti-icing, power plant, and flight-control systems to the emergency equipment and landing gear.

AIR LAW

As you learn to fly and gain wider experience, you will encounter many types of rules and procedures governing such things as the operation of aircrafts, types of airspace, license privileges, and rules of the air. This subject covers international aviation law. The main reference documents used in air law are EU-OPS 1 and the ICAO documents and annexes to relevant agreements and conventions.

IFR AND VFR COMMUNICATIONS:

IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) and VFR (Visual Flight Rules)communications deal with RT communications, which form the basis of procedural flying in the professional aviation environment. Proficiency in RT (Radio Telephony) communications is essential to becoming a commercial pilot, and this book teaches the fundamentals of both VFR and IFR communications to prepare students for the theoretical examinations and for their practical flying training.‍

PRINCIPLES OF FLIGHT:

Principles of flight covers a range of topics from basic aerodynamic theory to transonic and supersonic flight and aims to help pilots master the fundamental principles upon which flight depends. Such an understanding is vital to gaining a full appreciation of the flight characteristics of an aircraft. Mastery of this subject is an essential attribute of a safe and proficient pilot.

INSTRUMENTATION:

Pilots receive information about the state of their aircraft and its speed, altitude, and position through instruments and displays. These can vary from the simplest of dials and pointers to modern electronic displays (also known as "glass cockpit").  However, certain problems of range ,resolution, accuracy, and reliability are general characteristics of all instrumentational systems.

PERFORMANCE:

It covers the theory required to operate an aircraft safely in all phases of flight. Take-offs and landings involve much more than smooth piloting skills. They require careful prior consideration to ensure that the airplane is capable of the task.

FLIGHT PLANNING:

As part of basic preparation before any flight, pilots need to be able to brief themselves about

• Air traffic control procedures regarding departure, en route, destination, and alternate airfields.

• Frequencies of communication and navigation aids en route and at airfields.

• Radio navigation and approach aids.

• Danger, restricted, and prohibited areas; military training areas, air navigation obstacles.

OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES:

Operators of aircrafts must ensure that both aircrew and ground crew comply with all procedures required by national and international law, and the crews have access to all information essential to the safe conduct of flights and associated activities, whether in the air or on the ground.

GENERAL NAVIGATION:

It deals with every aspect of classical air navigation -from basic pilot navigation to advanced plotting. The numerous colored diagrams and maps help the future professional pilot master this subject. Navigation of an airplane consists mainly of making logical operational decisions.

RADIO NAVIGATION:

Radio and radar systems are now an integral part of aviation, without which the current intensity of air transport operations would be unsustainable. In the early days of aviation, aircrafts were flown with visual reference to the ground and flight at night. Flying with perfect vision in cloud or over the sea was not possible. As the complexity of the aircraft increased, it became necessary to design navigational systems to permit aircrafts to operate without reference to terrain features.

HUMAN PERFORMANCE AND LIMITATIONS:

The following aviation course teaches the student pilot to appreciate the limitations of the human body operating in an aero dynamic environment as well as dealing with all the aspects of the decision-making process relevant to the pilot.  

MASS AND BALANCE:

The following course is essential in aviation studies as it covers all the knowledge and the principles needed to enable a pilot to check that an aircraft is correctly loaded and balanced for safe and efficient operation.

‍