EASA ATPL 033 Flight Planning study guide
EASA ATPL 033 Flight Planning · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
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 EASA ATPL 033 Flight Planning study guide has 10 sections and about 4,054 words.
01Flight plans: content, filing, ATS requirements and use of the ATS flight plan form
Domain 1 tests the ATS flight plan: field content, filing timelines, amendment rules and the limits of the document. The ATS flight plan supplies air traffic services with the data needed for ATC, alerting and search and rescue.
479 words, about 2 min02Fuel planning: fuel policy and in-flight fuel monitoring
Domain 2 covers fuel policy: the components of minimum required fuel, the conditions allowing reduced contingency, and the in-flight fuel declarations. Taxi fuel: APU, engine start and taxi-out, based on the aerodrome layout.
429 words, about 2 min03Pre-flight planning: route selection, ATS route structure, levels and airspace
Domain 3 examines route and level selection: how the ATS route structure is organised, how airspace restrictions constrain the route, and how a cruising level is chosen and validated. ATS routes are published in the AIP and en-route charts with designators whose letter prefix identifies route type and region (for example L, M, N, P for RNAV routes, A, B, G, R for conventional regional routes).
391 words, about 2 min04Navigation plan calculations: tracks, headings, wind triangle, ground speed and leg times
Domain 4 is the numerical core of the plan: the wind triangle, drift, ground speed, leg time and total elapsed time. Wind angle (WA) = wind direction − track, taken as the smaller angle.
391 words, about 2 min05Aeroplane performance in the planning phase: take-off, climb, cruise, descent and landing
Domain 5 covers aeroplane performance as used in planning: field requirements, climb limitations and the climb, cruise and descent figures that feed the flight plan. Declared distances: TORA, TODA (TORA + clearway), ASDA (TORA + stopway) and LDA; the take-off mass must give a take-off distance within TODA and an accelerate-stop distance within ASDA.
417 words, about 2 min06Mass and balance: loading, CG limits, mass limits and their effect on flight planning
Domain 6 covers mass limitations and centre of gravity: which masses are checked where, and how loading moves the CG. MTOM (structural, often further reduced by performance), MLM, MZFM, MRWM (ramp) and OEW/DOW.
391 words, about 2 min07In-flight monitoring and replanning: position reporting, revised estimates, diversion
Domain 7 covers what happens after departure: position reporting, revised estimates, fuel monitoring and diversion or replanning decisions. Standard ATS voice report: aircraft identification, position, time, flight level, next position and ETA, and the ensuing significant point.
392 words, about 2 min08Flight documentation: operational flight plan, load sheet, ATS plan, meteorological and NOTAM documents
Domain 8 covers the paperwork used and carried in flight: operational flight plan, load sheet, ATS flight plan, meteorological and NOTAM documentation. Prepared by the operator for each flight: registration and type, departure, destination and alternates, route and levels, masses (DOW, payload, TOM, LM), every fuel component, times and ETAs, and MEL/CDL items.
358 words, about 2 min09Long-range and extended-range planning: EDTO, equal time point and critical fuel
Domain 9 covers long-range and extended-range operations: EDTO approval, adequate aerodromes, equal time points and critical fuel. Without specific approval a two-engine aeroplane must remain within 60 minutes' flying time at one-engine-inoperative cruise speed from an adequate aerodrome; EDTO approval extends the threshold to 120 or 180 minutes, depending on type and route.
414 words, about 2 min10Practical flight-planning exercises: integrating wind, fuel, performance and mass data
Domain 10 is the integration exercise: one sector planned end to end from route, wind, performance, fuel and mass data with every limit checked. Select route and level, applying the level table, route minimum altitude and wind.
392 words, about 2 min