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Key Facts: EASA ATPL 033 Flight Planning Exam
42 questions
033 Exam Length
EASA ATPL(A) ECQB
2 hours
Time Limit
EASA ATPL(A) 033
75%
Pass Mark per Subject
EASA Part-FCL
5% or 5 min
Contingency Fuel
CAT.OP.MPA.181
30 minutes
Turbine Final Reserve
EASA Basic Fuel Scheme
4 attempts / 18 months
Attempt and Time Rules
FCL.025
EASA ATPL subject 033, Flight Planning and Monitoring, is a 42-question, 2-hour multiple-choice paper drawn from the European Central Question Bank (ECQB 2026 release), sat at a National Aviation Authority centre with a 75% pass mark and no negative marking. It tests VFR/IFR flight planning (route and chart use, the semicircular cruising-level rule, MEA/MORA/MOCA/MSA, alternate selection); fuel planning under the EU basic fuel scheme of CAT.OP.MPA.181 (taxi, trip, 5% contingency or 5-minute holding, alternate, 30-minute turbine final reserve, additional and extra fuel) plus tankering and decision-point procedures; point of equal time (PET) and point of safe return (PSR/PNR) calculations; completion of the ICAO ATS flight plan Items 7-19; and in-flight monitoring with fuel checks, howgozit charts, MINIMUM FUEL and MAYDAY FUEL declarations. Candidates have up to 4 attempts per subject across 6 sittings, with all 13 subjects passed within 18 months and passes valid 7 years for ATPL issue.
Sample EASA ATPL 033 Flight Planning Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your EASA ATPL 033 Flight Planning exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Under the EASA basic fuel scheme (CAT.OP.MPA.181), the standard contingency fuel for an aeroplane on a scheduled flight must be at least which of the following?
2Final reserve fuel for a turbine-engined aeroplane under the EASA basic fuel scheme is the fuel required to fly for how long, and at what condition?
3Which component of the EASA basic fuel scheme covers fuel expected to be consumed before take-off, including APU and engine start, taxi, and expected delay before take-off?
4An aeroplane has a planned trip fuel of 9000 kg. Using the basic fuel scheme 5% contingency rule, and given that 5 minutes at holding speed at 1500 ft requires 300 kg, how much contingency fuel must be loaded?
5Within the EASA basic fuel scheme, which element provides fuel from the destination aerodrome to the destination alternate aerodrome, including missed approach?
6Under the basic fuel scheme, 'additional fuel' is required in which of the following circumstances?
7Which fuel component under the basic fuel scheme is added at the commander's discretion and may be removed in-flight if conditions allow, having NO regulatory minimum?
8Calculate the minimum block (ramp) fuel for an aeroplane with: taxi 200 kg, trip 8000 kg, contingency 400 kg, alternate 1200 kg, final reserve 1100 kg. No additional or extra fuel is required.
9Minimum take-off fuel (the fuel on board at the start of the take-off run) differs from block fuel by which amount?
10Under the fuel scheme with variations, the reduced 3% contingency fuel option is permitted only when which condition is also met?
About the EASA ATPL 033 Flight Planning Exam
Flight Planning and Monitoring (subject 033) is one of the 13 EASA ATPL(A) theoretical-knowledge examinations. It tests a pilot's ability to plan VFR and IFR flights, compute fuel under the EU fuel/energy schemes, complete the ICAO ATS flight plan, and monitor and re-plan a flight in progress. The 42-question multiple-choice paper is drawn from the European Central Question Bank (current ECQB 2026 release) and is sat at a National Aviation Authority test centre, commonly on LPLUS TestStudio. The pass mark is 75% with no negative marking.
Questions
42 scored questions
Time Limit
2 hours (120 minutes)
Passing Score
75% per subject
Exam Fee
Approx. EUR 60-130 per subject sitting (varies by National Aviation Authority) (EASA via National Aviation Authorities (computer-based, LPLUS TestStudio at many centres))
EASA ATPL 033 Flight Planning Exam Content Outline
Fuel Planning (EU Basic Fuel Scheme)
Taxi, trip, contingency (the higher of 5% of trip fuel or 5 minutes holding at 1500 ft), alternate, final reserve (30 minutes for turbine aeroplanes), additional fuel (isolated-aerodrome and critical-failure cases) and extra fuel under CAT.OP.MPA.181; block and take-off fuel build-up; fuel tankering and cost-to-carry; and the 3% ERA and individual fuel-scheme variations with fuel monitoring
VFR and IFR Flight Planning
Route selection and the use of en-route, SID, STAR and approach charts; the ICAO semicircular cruising-level rule (odd 000-179, even 180-359); MEA, MORA, MOCA and MSA obstacle/navigation margins; transition altitude/level; take-off and destination alternate selection; planning minima; and the no-alternate and two-alternate conditions
Point of Equal Time and Point of Safe Return
PET/critical-point distance using D x H/(H+O) with onward and homebound ground speeds; PSR/PNR time using T x H/(O+H) based on safe endurance (usable fuel less required reserves); the effect of wind moving the PET into wind from the still-air mid-point; and engine-out or depressurised diversion cases
ICAO ATS Flight Plan (FPL)
Completion of Items 7-19: aircraft identification (7), flight rules/type (8), aircraft type and wake category (9), equipment and surveillance (10), departure (13), route with speed and level (15), destination/EET/alternates (16), other information (18: PBN, DOF, REG, EET) and supplementary SAR data (19); plus repetitive flight plans and delay/amendment messages
In-Flight Monitoring and Re-Planning
Fuel checks comparing actual against planned burn, howgozit fuel/distance charts, ETA revision from actual groundspeed, decision-point and in-flight re-planning with recomputed contingency, diversion decisions, the MINIMUM FUEL advisory and the MAYDAY FUEL emergency declared when predicted landing fuel falls below final reserve
Range, Endurance and Cruise Performance
Specific air and ground range, optimum and maximum altitude, step climbs as mass reduces, long-range versus maximum-range cruise, the cost index trade-off of fuel against time, Mach/TAS conversions, and integrated climb, cruise and descent fuel/time calculations from CAP 697 data
How to Pass the EASA ATPL 033 Flight Planning Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 75% per subject
- Exam length: 42 questions
- Time limit: 2 hours (120 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
EASA ATPL 033 Flight Planning Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EASA ATPL subject 033, Flight Planning and Monitoring?
It is one of the 13 EASA ATPL(A) theoretical-knowledge examinations. Subject 033 tests VFR and IFR flight planning, fuel planning under the EU fuel/energy schemes, completion of the ICAO ATS flight plan, point of equal time and point of safe return calculations, and in-flight monitoring and re-planning.
How many questions are on the 033 exam and how long is it?
The 033 Flight Planning and Monitoring paper has 42 multiple-choice questions and a time limit of 2 hours (120 minutes). Questions are drawn from the European Central Question Bank (current ECQB 2026 release) and sat at a National Aviation Authority test centre, commonly on LPLUS TestStudio.
What is the pass mark and is there negative marking?
The pass mark is 75% for each ATPL subject, including 033, and there is no negative marking, so unanswered questions and wrong answers both simply score zero. You should attempt every question.
What fuel rules does 033 test under the EU basic fuel scheme?
It tests the CAT.OP.MPA.181 components: taxi fuel, trip fuel, contingency fuel (the higher of 5% of trip fuel or 5 minutes holding at 1500 ft), alternate fuel, final reserve (30 minutes for turbine aeroplanes), additional fuel for isolated/critical cases, and discretionary extra fuel, plus the 3% ERA and individual-scheme variations.
What are the PET and PSR, and how are they calculated?
The Point of Equal Time (PET) is where flying time onward equals flying time back; distance to it is D x H/(H+O). The Point of Safe Return (PSR/PNR) is the furthest point from which you can return with reserves intact; time to it is T x H/(O+H), where T is safe endurance and O and H are the outbound and homebound ground speeds.
How do the FCL.025 attempt and time-window rules work?
Under FCL.025 you may sit each subject up to 4 times, within a maximum of 6 examination sittings, and all 13 subjects must be passed within 18 months of the end of the month of the first attempt. The completed theory passes remain valid for 7 years for ATPL issue from the validity of an instrument rating.
Is the Area 100 KSA assessment part of the 033 exam?
No. The Area 100 Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) assessment is an ATO-internal assessment, not a National Aviation Authority multiple-choice examination. Subject 033 itself is the separate 42-question authority exam.