EASA ATPL Ground Course

Airline Transport Pilot License Theory (ATPL Theory) is one of the stages 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 designed to teach you all the theory that is required in order to safely and professionally operate aircraft in a commercial environment. After every completed section the corresponding exams are taken at the examination Center and in which the passing grade is 75%.

Subjects Summary

METEOROLOGY

The lessons dedicated in the meteorology course provide a better understanding of all aspects of meteorology related information to aviation and flight operation. It aims to impart better understanding of all aspects of meteorology, as it applies to flight operations. 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 which comprise the essential "organs" of the modern aircraft. Also, every part of the aircraft is detailed in a comprehensible manner, from the basic structure and 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 aircraft, types of airspace, license privileges, and rules of the air. This subject covers international aviation law, and the main reference documents 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, position, and attitude through instruments and displays. These can vary from the simplest of dials and pointers to modern electronic displays (also known as the "glass cockpit"). However, certain problems of range, resolution, accuracy, and reliability are general characteristics of all instrumentation 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, enroute, 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 aircraft must ensure that both aircrew and groundcrew comply with all procedures required by national and international law, and the crews have access to all information essential to the safe conduct off lights 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 will help the future professional pilot to master this subject. Navigation of an airplane consists mainly of making logical operational decisions.

RADIO NAVIGATION:

Radio and radar systems are now an integral and essential part of aviation, without which the current intensity of air transport operations would be unsustainable. In the early days of aviation, aircraft were flown with visual reference to the ground. Flight at night, in cloud, or over the sea was not possible. As the complexity of 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 aviation environment as well as dealing with all the aspects of the decision-making process relevant to the pilot.  

MASS AND BALANCE:

The mass and balance course 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.