Overview
The EASA ATPL is the Airline Transport Pilot Licence theoretical knowledge assessment used across the European Union aviation safety framework. There is no single exam sitting run by EASA itself. The questions come from a shared pool, the European Central Question Bank (ECQB), and the National Competent Authorities (NCAs) of the member states are responsible for running the exams that use it.
Exam pattern
Theoretical knowledge exams are made up of multiple choice questions drawn from the ECQB, which holds roughly 10,000 questions. The question bank is used by all EASA Member States for theoretical knowledge exams of professional aeroplane and helicopter pilots and of applicants for an instrument rating. It is made available only to the national authorities, for exam use, and is not public.
The exam is split into subjects. The ECQB covers these areas:
Air law
Aircraft general knowledge, covering airframe, systems and power plant
Aircraft general knowledge, covering instrumentation
Mass and balance
Performance (aeroplanes and helicopters, listed separately)
Flight planning and monitoring
Human performance
Meteorology
General navigation
Radio navigation
Operational procedures
Principles of flight (aeroplanes and helicopters, listed separately)
Communications
The exact subjects, number of questions, time allowed and pass mark for your licence are set by the rules and by the authority that examines you, so check them with your national authority or approved training organisation.
Syllabus
The detailed learning objectives are published by EASA in the acceptable means of compliance and guidance material to Part-FCL. EASA also publishes a syllabus comparison document that is updated with each question bank release.
Important dates
EASA describes ECQB 2026 as the latest full release of the question bank, aligned with EU regulations and ICAO standards as amended in early 2025.
How to apply
Registration, fees and exam dates are handled by your national authority, not by EASA. Contact the authority of the state where you train, or your approved training organisation.
Preparation tips
Study to the published learning objectives, not to a list of remembered questions.
Check which release of the question bank your authority is currently using.
Does EASA run the ATPL exam directly?
No. EASA maintains the question bank, and the national competent authorities are responsible for the exams that use it.
How many questions are in the question bank?
EASA describes the ECQB as a bank of some 10,000 multiple choice questions.