How many questions does each PPL theory examination contain?

The number of questions varies by subject. Air Law typically has 16 questions, AGK around 16, Met 16, Nav 12, Performance 12, Human Performance 12, Op Procedures 12, Principles of Flight 12, and Comms 12. The pass mark is 75 % per subject. The current BAZL specifications are always binding.

How long do I have to pass all 9 subjects?

You must pass all subjects within 18 months of the end of the calendar month in which your first attempt took place. After that, all results lapse and you must start again. Once all subjects are passed, you have 24 months to complete the practical test.

How many attempts do I have per subject?

You have a maximum of four attempts per subject and six sittings in total. If you exceed this, you must complete a new recognised theory course before you are permitted to sit the examinations again.

Do I need a separate certificate for the Comms subject?

Yes. The EASA theory examination in Comms is not the same as the practical radio telephony certificate. In Switzerland you additionally require the BZF-E (English) or BZF (German/English), administered by BAKOM — typically through a separate practical radio examination.

Can I study for the theory without a flight school?

For the PPL(A), you must complete theoretical instruction at an approved ATO or DTO. Self-study alone without school enrolment is not sufficient — the school must register you for the BAZL examination and confirm that the theoretical training has been completed.

The 9 EASA Theory Subjects for PPL(A) – An Overview

Why nine subjects?

EASA has divided the PPL(A) theory syllabus into nine subjects (Part-FCL, AMC1 FCL.115/.120). BAZL examines each subject individually as a multiple-choice test. You must achieve at least 75 % per subject. All subjects must be passed within 18 months of your first attempt; after that, all progress lapses.

Here is what each subject contains.

1. Air Law

The regulatory foundation. You will study:

ICAO Annexes (primarily 2, 7, 8, 11, 14) and their transposition into EU law
EU regulations: Part-FCL (licences), Part-MED (medical), SERA (Standardised European Rules of the Air)
Airspace classes A–G, classification in Switzerland, VFR minima
Visual flight rules, minimum altitudes, semicircular cruising levels
Swiss specifics via BAZL: VFR Manual Switzerland, national NOTAMs, fee framework

A dry subject, but highly relevant in the exam and present in the cockpit every day.

2. Aircraft General Knowledge (AGK)

How the aircraft works technically:

Airframe and controls: wings, empennage, ailerons, elevator, rudder, trim
Engine: four-stroke Otto cycle, carburettor vs. fuel injection, magneto ignition, carburettor icing
Propeller: fixed-pitch, variable-pitch, critical RPM
Systems: electrical (generator, battery, bus bar), fuel, hydraulics, Pitot-static system
Instruments: airspeed indicator (IAS, CAS, TAS), altimeter, variometer, gyroscopic instruments

3. Flight Performance and Planning (Performance)

This subject is about numbers and masses:

Mass and balance (Weight & Balance): centre of gravity calculation, permissible envelopes
Take-off and landing distances: effect of density altitude, wind, runway surface, slope
Climb, cruise, descent: fuel consumption, speeds
Flight planning: route, fuel reserves (minimum 30 min. final reserve under SERA for VFR day), ATC flight plan
Mass & Balance sheets for specific aircraft types (e.g. C172, DA40)

Arguably the most practically important subject for safe flight operations beyond standard fair-weather flying.

4. Human Performance and Limitations

The pilot as a risk factor:

Physiology: hypoxia from approximately 10,000 ft, hyperventilation, trapped gases, ear pressure
Sensory illusions: somatogravic illusions, Black Hole Effect, the leans
Psychology: stress, fatigue, workload management, situational awareness
Decision-making: DECIDE and FORDEC models
IMSAFE checklist before every flight

5. Meteorology (Met)

Understanding and interpreting weather:

Atmosphere: structure, ISA, temperature and pressure gradients
Wind: Coriolis effect, geostrophic wind, surface wind, turbulence
Clouds and precipitation: cloud types, icing, thunderstorms, hail
Air masses and fronts: warm, cold, and occlusion fronts
Mountain weather: Foehn wind (Föhn), lee waves, rotors — particularly relevant in Swiss examinations
Weather documents: decoding METAR, TAF, GAFOR, SIGMET, GAMET

6. Navigation (Nav)

From point A to point B:

Earth and charts: Lambert projection (ICAO chart 1:500,000), courses, distances
Compass: variation, deviation, turning error, acceleration error
Dead Reckoning (DR): heading, track, groundspeed, ETA
Radio navigation: VOR, DME, ADF/NDB, GNSS fundamentals
Flight preparation: navigation log, alternate planning

Calculations with the CRP-5/E6B are part of this — permitted in the exam as well.

7. Operational Procedures (Op Procedures)

Operational procedures and abnormal situations:

Emergency procedures: engine failure, fire on board, pressurisation loss (where applicable)
Wake turbulence: categories, separation minima
Icing, windshear, volcanic ash
SAR: search patterns, distress signals, ELT (121.5 / 406 MHz)
Apron and runway safety, noise abatement procedures (relevant in Switzerland)

8. Principles of Flight (Aerodynamics)

Why the aircraft flies:

Aerodynamic forces: lift, drag, thrust, weight
Aerofoil profiles and polar diagrams, angle of attack, critical angle of attack
Stall and spin (Spin)
Stability: longitudinal, lateral, directional — static and dynamic
Load factors and manoeuvres: V-n diagram, Va, Vno, Vne
Effect of flaps, slots, and slats

9. Communications (Comms / VFR Radio)

Radio telephony in VFR:

ICAO phraseology in English (in Switzerland often also in German)
Standard calls: position reports, traffic information, flight plan activation
Emergency procedures: Mayday, Pan-Pan, Squawk 7700 / 7600 / 7500
Radio failure procedures
Frequencies: Swiss specifics such as the REGA emergency frequency, FIS Switzerland

Comms is often linked to the BZF/AZF radio telephony certificate, which in Switzerland is administered separately by BAKOM — not to be confused with the EASA theory examination.

How extensive is all this?

AMC1 FCL.210.A recommends a minimum of 100 hours of theoretical instruction for the PPL(A). In practice, the self-study component is considerably higher. BAZL examinations can be sat in multiple sessions, typically bundled together. For current fees and registration procedures, refer directly to BAZL.

Recommended study order

A proven study sequence:

Principles of Flight + AGK (technical foundation)
Met + Nav (thematically linked for flight preparation)
Performance + Op Procedures
Air Law + Comms
Human Performance (can run concurrently throughout)

Important: the subjects overlap. A solid understanding of Met makes Op Procedures easier. Mastering AGK pays dividends in Performance.

As of: 2026-05-19T16:40:35.700907+00:00. This article is a guide and does not replace official authority information or training at an approved ATO. Regulations may change — for legally binding information consult your competent aviation authority (BAZL in CH, LBA in DE, Austro Control in AT) or your flight school directly.