EASA ATPL 033 Flight Planning exam-day guide
EASA ATPL 033 Flight Planning · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission ticket / appointment confirmation
Print or download the confirmation showing your candidate number, exam centre, date and time. Providers differ on whether a printed copy is required, so confirm with the provider whether a digital copy is accepted.
Valid photo ID
Bring the exact ID document named on your booking (passport or national ID card are typical). The name must match the booking exactly; check expiry date and signature page. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second document is needed.
Approved calculator
A non-programmable scientific calculator is normally permitted for flight planning numerical work. Confirm with the provider the permitted models and whether memory must be cleared; do not rely on a phone calculator.
Flight computer (CRP-5 or equivalent)
Bring a manual circular or slide flight computer for wind triangle, heading, groundspeed and fuel-flow calculations, plus a straight edge and protractor if your centre allows them. Confirm with the provider whether these are provided or must be brought.
Pens, pencil, eraser, sharpener
Bring at least two dark pens and a pencil for plotting and working. Some centres supply stationery only; confirm with the provider what is allowed on the desk.
Watches and timekeeping
A simple analogue or digital watch without smart features is useful for pacing. Smartwatches and phones are normally prohibited at the desk; confirm with the provider where they must be stored.
Personal flight-planning reference sheet
If your provider permits an approved formula sheet or extracts (for example conversion tables), bring only the version authorised for the exam. Confirm with the provider what reference material, if any, is supplied or allowed.
Route and airport familiarity check
Re-read typical planning data you may be given: aerodrome charts, runway distances, climb/descent gradients, fuel policy terms and mass-and-balance limits. No external notes are allowed in the exam; this is preparation only.
Logistics: travel, parking, arrival buffer
Plan to arrive at the centre with a comfortable margin before the reporting time, allowing for security checks and ID verification. Check local transport and parking in advance; confirm with the provider the latest arrival time after which admission may be refused.
Rest, hydration and medication
Protect sleep in the final nights, eat normally and bring water if permitted. If you need medication or an access arrangement, confirm with the provider well before the exam date.
Provider rules on breaks and leaving the room
Understand in advance whether supervised breaks are available and what happens to the clock during them. Confirm with the provider, as rules vary between centres and sessions.
Backup plan for disruption
Save the provider's contact details and know the procedure if you are delayed or unwell. Confirm with the provider how to report a problem and whether a rebooking fee applies.
Plan the day
Move from learning to consolidation. Re-work one full set of flight-planning calculations end to end under timed conditions: wind triangle, true to magnetic heading, groundspeed, leg time, fuel required with reserves, and mass-and-balance check. Review your own error log rather than starting new topics. Re-read definitions that examiners test precisely: still-air range and endurance, specific range, fuel policy terms, contingency fuel, alternate fuel, final reserve, taxi fuel, and the difference between pressure altitude, density altitude and true altitude. Check the exam centre address, reporting time and ID requirements, and confirm with the provider anything unclear.
Practise the mechanics you will actually perform at the desk: reading a navigation log, converting units, interpolating from tables, and plotting a course accurately with a protractor. Time yourself on a mixed set of 15 to 20 questions to calibrate pace. Stop heavy study by the evening before the exam; late-night cramming of new material usually costs more in fatigue than it gains.
Do a light review of formula sheets and your error log only. Prepare the checklist items physically: ID, confirmation, calculator with fresh batteries, flight computer, pens and pencil. Confirm travel arrangements and set two alarms. Avoid alcohol and heavy meals late in the evening, and aim for a normal night's sleep. If you feel unwell, contact the provider before the exam rather than after.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive at the centre early and re-check that your ID and confirmation are with you. Do not attempt new topics. A brief glance at unit conversions and fuel-policy definitions is enough. At the centre, follow invigilator instructions for ID checks, storing personal items and setting up your desk.
Read each question fully before calculating, and note the units demanded (kg or lb, litres or US gallons, minutes or hours). Do the straightforward calculation questions first and flag long multi-step items for a second pass. Show working in the space provided where the format allows, because it supports later checking. Keep an eye on the clock and reserve the final minutes to check that every question has an answer and that no unit or sign error has slipped in.
Rules to check
Bring the ID document named on your booking and present it on request. If the name or document differs from the booking, admission may be refused; confirm with the provider in advance how to correct a discrepancy.
Arrive before the reporting time. Centres commonly refuse admission to candidates who arrive after the session has started, and the clock is not usually extended for late arrival; confirm with the provider the exact cut-off.
Keep phones, smartwatches and other electronic devices switched off and stored as instructed. Unauthorised devices at the desk are normally treated as misconduct, whatever their intended use.
Use only the calculator, flight computer, reference material and stationery the provider permits. Do not bring written notes, annotated charts or loose papers into the exam room unless explicitly allowed; confirm with the provider what is authorised.
Work independently. Do not communicate with other candidates during the session, and do not copy, photograph or remove exam material. Suspected misconduct is normally reported and can lead to invalidation of the result.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on breaks and leaving the room. If you need to leave, raise your hand and wait to be accompanied; confirm with the provider whether the clock runs during a break and whether breaks are permitted at all.
If a question appears ambiguous or a supplied figure seems wrong, answer as best you can and report it afterwards through the provider's process rather than stopping to argue during the session.
Scoring and pass marks are set by the provider and the competent authority, and results are normally released through the provider's portal. Do not rely on unofficial pass-mark figures; confirm with the provider how results are issued, how long they remain valid and how to appeal.