EASA ATPL 033 Flight Planning case studies
EASA ATPL 033 Flight Planning · Put your knowledge to work in context.
Flight Planning (033) is one of the fourteen subject examinations in the EASA ATPL ground examination set, and it is the one that ties the other thirteen together. It is aimed at candidates working towards a frozen ATPL through an approved training organisation, and it assumes you can already work a wind triangle, read a performance chart and balance a load sheet. The syllabus moves from the paperwork - the ATS flight plan form, the operational flight plan, load sheet, meteorological and NOTAM documentation - through fuel policy and reserves, route and level selection, navigation plan calculations, take-off, climb, cruise and landing performance, mass and balance limits, in-flight monitoring and replanning, and long-range considerations such as ETOPS/EDTO, equal time point and critical fuel scenarios. The examination is multiple choice with one correct answer per question, sat on computer at an approved EASA examination centre. The EASA ATPL 033 Flight Planning case studies are 5 cases and about 2,561 words.
1Fuel decision at the destination-hold point
A twin-jet is planned from Amsterdam (EHAM) to Madrid (LEMD). The operational flight plan shows taxi fuel 250 kg, trip fuel 5,200 kg, contingency 5% of trip fuel, alternate fuel to Zaragoza (LEZG) 900 kg, final reserve 650 kg (30 min at 1,300 kg/h) and additional fuel 150 kg.
559 words, about 3 min2Performance-limited departure with a forward CG check
A turboprop has MTOW 7,200 kg, MLW 6,800 kg, MZFW 6,200 kg and basic empty mass 4,500 kg at arm 5.0 m. CG limits are 4.7–5.7 m.
501 words, about 3 min3ETOPS one-engine-inoperative diversion and equal-time point
A twin-engine jet is dispatched under ETOPS 120 min on an oceanic crossing. At a point 500 NM from en-route alternate ALFA and 700 NM from alternate BRAVO, the crew shuts down one engine.
471 words, about 2 min4ATS flight-plan level, alternate and endurance
A business jet is planned from Nice (LFMN) to Shannon (EINN). The planned track is 315° magnetic.
521 words, about 3 min5Three-leg wind-triangle and fuel-feasibility check
A light twin is planned on a three-leg flight. Leg 1: distance 120 NM, track 090°, TAS 160 kt, wind 020°/20 kt.
509 words, about 3 min