100+ Free ATPL 090 Communications Practice Questions
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Key Facts: ATPL 090 Communications Exam
34 questions
Exam Length
EASA ATPL 090 syllabus
60 minutes
Time Limit
EASA ATPL 090 syllabus
75%
Pass Mark
EASA theoretical-knowledge standard
121.5 MHz
Emergency Frequency
ICAO Annex 10
7600
Radio Failure SSR Code
ICAO Annex 10
18 months
Window to Pass All Subjects
FCL.025
2019/017/R
ED Decision merging 091+092 into 090
EASA ED Decision
Subject 090 Communications is an EASA ATPL(A)/CPL(A)/IR(A) theoretical-knowledge exam taken at a national aviation authority test centre. After ED Decision 2019/017/R merged the old 091 VFR and 092 IFR subjects, 090 covers both flight rules in one 34-question, 60-minute multiple-choice paper with a 75% pass mark and no negative marking, drawn from the European Central Question Bank (ECQB 2026). Content spans general operating procedures (call signs and abbreviation, transmission of letters and numbers, standard words, mandatory readback of levels, headings, speeds, SSR codes, QNH and runway clearances), VFR aerodrome and circuit phraseology and ATIS, IFR clearances and ICAO position reporting, oceanic HF and SELCAL, weather broadcasts (VOLMET, SIGMET), distress (MAYDAY) and urgency (PAN-PAN) on 121.5 MHz, communication failure (squawk 7600, transmitting blind, IFR/VFR failure procedures, the light-signal table), transponder codes 7500/7600/7700, VHF line-of-sight and HF sky-wave propagation, 8.33 kHz spacing and CPDLC datalink basics. Under FCL.025, candidates have up to 4 attempts and 6 sittings, all passes within 18 months.
Sample ATPL 090 Communications Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your ATPL 090 Communications exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Under ICAO radiotelephony procedures, abbreviation of an aircraft call sign may only be initiated by the:
2The flight level 'FL100' is transmitted on the radio as:
3When transmitting an altitude or height that contains a whole hundred or whole thousand, ICAO phraseology requires the word 'hundred' or 'thousand' to be used. The height 4 500 ft is therefore transmitted as:
4Which of the following items must ALWAYS be read back in full by the flight crew?
5The phrase 'READ BACK' is used by a controller to request that the receiving station:
6The standard word 'WILCO' means:
7After an initial call has established contact, the controller passes a clearance. The standard phrase the pilot should use if the controller's transmission was not understood is:
8The aircraft registration 'G-ABCD' belongs to a flight using a full call sign of type A (registration only). Using the ICAO phonetic alphabet, this is transmitted as:
9An aircraft uses a telephony call sign consisting of the operating agency's designator followed by the flight identification, e.g. 'SPEEDBIRD 245'. This is which ICAO type of call sign?
10A controller transmits 'CLIMB FL250 REPORT REACHING FL200'. The correct readback by the pilot is:
About the ATPL 090 Communications Exam
Subject 090 Communications is one of the 13 EASA ATPL(A) theoretical-knowledge subjects. Following ED Decision 2019/017/R, the former subjects 091 VFR Communications and 092 IFR Communications were merged into a single subject 090 that covers both VFR and IFR radiotelephony. It tests ICAO standard phraseology and procedures: general operating procedures, aerodrome and en-route communications, weather information in flight, distress and urgency, communication failure, and radar/transponder phraseology. The exam is a 34-question multiple-choice paper with a 75% pass mark, drawn from the European Central Question Bank (current release ECQB 2026).
Questions
34 scored questions
Time Limit
1 hour (60 minutes)
Passing Score
75% per subject (no negative marking)
Exam Fee
Approx. EUR 60-130 per subject sitting (varies by national aviation authority) (EASA, examined by national aviation authorities (NAAs) on computer-based testing systems)
ATPL 090 Communications Exam Content Outline
General Operating Procedures
Call signs and abbreviation initiated by the ground station, transmission of letters and numbers (digit-by-digit flight levels, headings, SSR codes versus thousand/hundred altitudes), transmitting technique and 100-words-per-minute rate, standard words (ROGER, WILCO, AFFIRM, NEGATIVE, STAND BY, SAY AGAIN, CORRECTION), and the mandatory readback list (levels, headings, speeds, SSR codes, QNH, runway clearances, frequency, transition level)
VFR Phraseology & Transfer of Communication
Initial contact format, aerodrome and circuit phraseology, line up and wait, hold short, conditional clearances with the word BEHIND, ATIS information code letters and acknowledgment, CONTACT versus MONITOR frequency transfer with frequency readback, and flight information service procedures
IFR Phraseology, Clearances & Position Reporting
IFR route, level and approach clearances with mandatory readback, REPORT ESTABLISHED and REPORT PASSING, the standard ICAO position-report order (identification, position, time, level, next position and ETA, ensuing point), procedural compulsory reporting points, oceanic clearances using cleared track, level and Mach number, and HF/SELCAL oceanic working
Distress & Urgency
MAYDAY distress versus PAN-PAN urgency (each spoken three times), the 121.5 MHz emergency frequency, transmitting on the in-use air-ground frequency, distress message content, MAYDAY RELAY, imposing silence (STOP TRANSMITTING - MAYDAY), lifting it (DISTRESS TRAFFIC ENDED / SILENCE FINI), and cancelling distress
Communication Failure
Selecting squawk 7600, first troubleshooting checks (volume, frequency, headset), blind transmissions prefixed TRANSMITTING BLIND, the IFR failure procedure in IMC (last acknowledged and expected clearance, route, levels, expected-approach time), the VFR failure procedure in VMC (continue and land at the nearest suitable aerodrome), and the ICAO/SERA light-signal table
Meteorological Information, Radar/Transponder & Propagation
ATIS and VOLMET weather broadcasts and SIGMET hazard messages, SSR codes 7500/7700 and 2000/7000, Mode A identity and Mode C altitude, SQUAWK IDENT, CONFIRM SQUAWK and STOP SQUAWK CHARLIE, the 118-137 MHz VHF band with line-of-sight propagation and 8.33 kHz channel spacing, HF sky-wave propagation for oceanic range, and CPDLC datalink logon and messaging
How to Pass the ATPL 090 Communications Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 75% per subject (no negative marking)
- Exam length: 34 questions
- Time limit: 1 hour (60 minutes)
- Exam fee: Approx. EUR 60-130 per subject sitting (varies by national aviation authority)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
ATPL 090 Communications Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EASA ATPL Subject 090 Communications?
It is one of the 13 EASA ATPL(A) theoretical-knowledge subjects. ED Decision 2019/017/R merged the former 091 VFR Communications and 092 IFR Communications into a single subject 090 that tests ICAO radiotelephony phraseology and procedures for both VFR and IFR flight.
How many questions are on the 090 Communications exam and how long is it?
The 090 Communications paper has 34 multiple-choice questions and a time limit of 1 hour (60 minutes). The questions are drawn from the European Central Question Bank, currently release ECQB 2026.
What is the pass mark for the 090 exam?
The pass mark is 75%, the same as all EASA ATPL theoretical-knowledge subjects. There is no negative marking, so unanswered questions simply score zero and it is worth attempting every question.
How many attempts and how long do I have to pass all subjects?
Under FCL.025, a candidate may sit a subject a maximum of 4 times, complete all subjects within a maximum of 6 sittings, and pass all required subjects within 18 months counted from the end of the calendar month of the first attempt.
What does 090 Communications actually cover?
It covers general operating procedures (call signs, numbers, readback), VFR aerodrome and circuit phraseology and ATIS, IFR clearances and position reporting, weather broadcasts (VOLMET), distress (MAYDAY) and urgency (PAN-PAN), communication failure (squawk 7600 and the light-signal table), and radar/transponder phraseology.
What are transponder codes 7500, 7600 and 7700 for?
7500 indicates unlawful interference (hijack), 7600 indicates a radio communication failure, and 7700 indicates a general emergency. These are reserved international SSR codes that alert ATC even without a voice transmission.
How long should I study for Subject 090?
Most students spend around 20-40 hours on Communications. It is widely considered one of the more approachable ATPL subjects, but it rewards careful memorisation of standard words, the mandatory readback list, and the light-signal table.