EASA PPL study guide
EASA PPL · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The EASA Private Pilot Licence (PPL) is a flight crew licence issued under Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, the regulation that sets the technical requirements and administrative procedures for civil aviation aircrew in the European Union. The Easy Access Rules for Aircrew consolidate that regulation, together with its implementing and delegated rules and the associated Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material, into a single free document that EASA publishes in PDF, as an enhanced online publication and in XML. The EASA PPL study guide has 9 sections and about 4,309 words.
01Air Law
Air Law tests the regulatory framework that makes a PPL flight legal: licensing and privileges, aircraft and pilot documents, rules of the air, airspace classification and meteorological minima. Questions often turn on precise limits rather than general principles.
513 words, about 3 min02Aircraft General Knowledge
Aircraft General Knowledge covers the airframe, powerplant, systems and flight instruments that a PPL pilot must understand operationally. The exam favours system purpose, indications and failure consequences over deep engineering.
513 words, about 3 min03Flight Performance and Planning
Flight Performance and Planning tests whether a planned flight is legal, safe and within the aircraft's limits. It combines mass and balance, take-off and landing performance, fuel planning and the practical use of a navigation log.
520 words, about 3 min04Human Performance and Limitations
Human Performance and Limitations examines how the pilot's body, senses and decision-making affect flight safety. The exam tests recognition of hypoxia, hyperventilation, spatial disorientation, visual illusions, fatigue, stress, alcohol and medication, plus crew resource management in single-pilot operations.
472 words, about 2 min05Meteorology
Meteorology tests the pilot's ability to interpret weather information and anticipate hazards. It covers the standard atmosphere, pressure and temperature, stability, clouds, fronts, icing, turbulence, wind and the practical decoding of METAR, TAF and charts.
471 words, about 2 min06Navigation
Navigation tests the pilot's ability to plan and follow a route using charts, magnetism, dead reckoning and radio navigation aids. The exam emphasises practical calculation and correct interpretation of heading, track, wind and compass errors.
447 words, about 2 min07Operational Procedures
Operational Procedures covers the standard actions and emergency drills that keep normal and abnormal flights safe. It tests checklists, radio calls, fire and engine-failure handling, forced landing, ELT use, search and rescue, dangerous goods and security awareness.
423 words, about 2 min08Principles of Flight
Principles of Flight explains how lift, drag, thrust and weight interact, and how stability, control and load factor affect the aircraft. The exam tests the stall, induced drag, stability, control effectiveness and wake turbulence.
529 words, about 3 min09Communications
Communications tests standard RT phraseology, readback requirements, distress and urgency procedures, frequency use, transponder codes and lost-communication actions. Clear, brief and standard calls reduce misunderstanding.
421 words, about 2 min