The theoretical training for the LAPL or PPL for aeroplanes concludes with a theory test. In this article, we provide an overview of how the exam works and what the content is. In particular, we emphasise information on how best to prepare for the exam and which learning platforms can be recommended to successfully pass the exam!
In addition to the training and test for general language skills and radiotelephony - which we will discuss in detail elsewhere - the core of flight training is the theoretical and practical flight training. In this article, we look at the theory test, how it works and how best to prepare for it.
Requirements for taking the examination
Theoretical training is an essential part of pilot training. Once the theoretical training has been completed at the flying school, the school registers the student pilot for the theory test. The only requirement for the time of registration is that the theory test must be successfully completed before the practical test can be taken. However, there are different practices depending on the flight school. Some flight schools stipulate that you must first complete and successfully pass the entire theory before you can even start the practical training. This should therefore be agreed with the flight school.
There are some time constraints to consider: After completing the theoretical training, the ATO must recommend the applicant for the theory test. Once this recommendation has been given, you have 12 months to take the exam for the first time, otherwise you will need to undergo additional training. From the time of the first examination attempt, you have 18 months to successfully complete the examination in total (i.e. if you need several attempts, you have 18 months to do so). You have a maximum of 4 attempts per subject and a maximum of 6 sessions in total for all areas. Before each repetition of an examination subject, there should be a refresher course at the ATO. The ATO determines the exact nature and scope of this.
Valid for Germany (expand)
Examinations for the ATPL or CPL, as well as for an instrument rating, take place at the Federal Aviation Office (LBA) in Braunschweig. The examination for the PPL or LAPL takes place at the aviation office of the federal state that is responsible, depending on the location of the flight school.
An overview and contact details of the various state aviation authorities can be found here: State aviation authorities. In some cases, there are several specialised authorities per federal state (e.g. Düsseldorf and Münster for NRW). Each ATO is assigned to an authority and the examination must then be taken there.
Valid for Austria (expand)
In Austria, the audit is carried out centrally by the Austro Control. Registration is carried out by the flight school, which submits the training certificate.
Valid for Switzerland (expand)
In Switzerland, the theory test is organised by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) organised. Registration by the flight school, examination by the FOCA (usually Bern or Zurich).
Examination procedure
The theory training for LAPL (A) and PPL (A) is the same, there is no difference. We have described details of the theory training in another article. It consists of at least 100 hours and covers the following areas:
- General aviation
- Navigation
- The basics of flying
- Air law and ATC procedures
- Meteorology
- Human performance
- Operational procedures / behaviour in special cases
- Communication
- Flight performance and flight planning
The Part-FCL document (link at the end) contains the syllabi for the PPL and LAPL licences.
Logically, the theory test can only take place once the theoretical training has been completed. The examination must be conducted in accordance with the following EASA requirements:
- The test consists of 120 questions and is carried out as a multiple-choice test (the test is usually carried out on a computer)
- The PPL/LAPL theory test can be taken in German or English
So much for the general requirements. The specific requirements for the PPL/LAPL theory test may vary slightly depending on the state aviation authority. It is essential to study the websites of the respective authorities. As a rule, the following applies:
The test takes place on site in the authority's buildings. There you sit in a room with the other applicants in front of a computer and complete the test in an examination programme. You have a total of approx. 5 hours, with a certain number of questions depending on the subject, for each of which there is a specific time limit.
As a rule, you are allowed to take the following into the examination room: pens, non-programmable calculators, navigation equipment (course triangles and other items needed for planning, e.g. Navimat and course ruler), as well as a mechanical navigation calculator such as the E6-B. Details can be found in the invitation letter and it is also worth discussing this with the flight school and other pilots.
How best to prepare
It is advisable to divide the theoretical training conceptually into two parts. During the theoretical training at the flying school - where different learning materials are available depending on the school - it is advisable to deepen the learning content by studying it yourself. While there are numerous books on this subject, we would like to recommend the book "Motorflug kompakt - Das Grundwissen zur Privatpilotenlizenz" by Winfried Kassera. It is fair to say that this book has become the standard work for the private pilot licence and can be highly recommended. The documents from Aircademy have also proved their worth. However, no unconditional recommendation should be given here. Everyone must decide for themselves which documents best support their own learning.
In addition to self-study, navigation planning exercises in particular should definitely be practised in groups. Ideally under the guidance of the instructor or an experienced pilot. Pure theoretical study is not sufficient here. It is also essential to practise using the navigation computer.
The second part can be seen as pure preparation for the exam itself. Unfortunately, no matter how well you have understood the theory, this does not necessarily mean that you will pass the exam. Some of the questions are very specific. There is a lot of discussion about this in the community, as some consider the questions to be "unworldly" and not practical. This certainly doesn't apply to all questions, but it does apply to some of them. But it doesn't help. To pass the exam, you have to prepare for these questions. There are two different question databases that can be used:
Valid for Germany (expand)
Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Bavaria, Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saxony use the so-called DAeC question catalogue. Preparation with the Aviationexam software (aviationexam.com) is recommended here. This is based on a database of almost 2000 exam questions (across all 9 subject areas), which is managed by Eisenschmidt. On the instructions of the aviation authorities, 70% of the possible questions are made available for training via this database.
Berlin / Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, North Rhine-Westphalia (Düsseldorf and Münster), Saxony-Anhalt, Saarland, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia, on the other hand, use the question catalogue from Aircademy (aircademy.com). This is based on the ECQB-PPL database. This is an international question database for private pilot licences, based on European regulations and standards and is ICAO-compliant. On the Aircademy website you can download free sample exam questions including the correct result. Free test exams can also be taken. In order to practise the questions intensively, you should purchase the corresponding software with exam questions. The Aircademy website provides links to various providers. As with the DAeC question catalogue, the exam also consists of unpublished questions. If your flying school uses the materials from Aircademy, you may also be able to get access to the corresponding learning materials.
Valid for Austria (expand)
The ECQB-PPL Catalogue (European Central Question Bank). This is an international question database for private pilot licences, based on European regulations and standards and is ICAO-compliant. On the Aircademy website you can download free sample exam questions including the correct result. Free test exams can also be taken. In order to practise the questions intensively, you should purchase the corresponding software with exam questions. The Aircademy website provides links to various providers.
Valid for Switzerland (expand)
The ECQB-PPL Catalogue (European Central Question Bank). This is an international question database for private pilot licences, based on European regulations and standards and is ICAO-compliant. On the Aircademy website you can download free sample exam questions including the correct result. Free test exams can also be taken. In order to practise the questions intensively, you should purchase the corresponding software with exam questions. The Aircademy website provides links to various providers.
Whether DAeC/AviationExam or ECQB/Aircademy. In both cases, the products available for exam preparation are very similar. Depending on the subject area, you can go through all the available questions or simulate exams. In addition, the various software providers offer different evaluation options for checking learning progress. Some platforms also offer the option of learning the questions directly with the correct solution displayed (and not only receiving the correct answer after selecting an answer option, or - in the case of a simulated exam - only at the end of the test run). For didactic reasons, it can make sense to go through the questions directly with the correct answer displayed and only switch to "exam mode" afterwards. Ultimately, however, everyone has to find their own way of learning.
Conclusion and next steps
As a rule, you receive the result of the exam immediately afterwards, as the evaluation is carried out directly via the computer programme. The certificate shows for each subject what percentage of questions were answered correctly and whether - if > 75% were correct - the subject was passed overall. If all 9 subjects are passed, the theory is passed overall. If individual subjects have not been successfully completed, only the corresponding subjects must be taken again in a repeat examination.
After successfully completing the theory, a "validity" period begins. This is 24 months for LAPL and PPL pilots. Within this period, the practical and ultimately the entire flight training must be successfully completed. If this is not achieved, a new theoretical training course and a new theory test must be taken.
The theory is followed by practice, details on practical training for the LAPL or PPL can be found in separate articles.
Summary
The theoretical examination for the LAPL or PPL (these are identical) must be successfully completed before the practical examination can be taken.
The theoretical training comprises 100 hours and can be carried out in different ways depending on the flight school, but must be based on the defined ICAO or EASA syllabus. The training concludes with a theoretical examination.
The exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions and is based on different question databases depending on the federal state. As preparation, a distinction should be made between the actual learning of the various subject areas and the subsequent dedicated preparation for the exam by completing the possible exam questions. Appropriate preparation software is available for this purpose.