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Key Facts: BTS Aéronautique Exam

Level 5 (Bac+2)

RNCP and European Qualifications Framework level

France compétences RNCP38576

10/20

Overall passing weighted average

Code de l'éducation, art. D. 643-13 à D. 643-26

Total coefficients across the eight compulsory units

Arrêté du 14 décembre 2023, annexe IV.3

4 blocs

Professional competence blocs: industrialisation, organisation, contrôle/essai, navigabilité

Arrêté du 14 décembre 2023, annexe I

U6 (coef 5, 4 h)

Written terminal unit on aircraft airworthiness (Navigabilité des aéronefs)

Arrêté du 14 décembre 2023, annexe IV.3

2026

First examination session under the renovated référentiel

Arrêté du 14 décembre 2023, art. 5

BTS Aéronautique is a French national level 5 qualification (Bac+2) certified by the Ministry of Higher Education and examined by the académies. Under the arrêté du 14 décembre 2023 modified by the arrêté du 24 juin 2025, applicable from the 2026 session, it comprises eight compulsory units grouped into six épreuves totalling 32 coefficients: E6 Navigabilité des aéronefs (coef 5, written 4 h), E4 Industrialisation et contrôle (U41 coef 5 oral, U42 coef 5 practical 4 h), E5 Organisation (coef 5, oral 45 min), plus general units. Candidates need a weighted average of at least 10/20 and register free of examination fees via Cyclades. The official assessment is in French; OpenExamPrep provides a 100-question English-language MCQ study adaptation.

Sample BTS Aéronautique Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the BTS Aéronautique exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In steady, level, unaccelerated flight, an aircraft with a wing area of 120 m² flies at a true airspeed of 200 m/s at an altitude where air density is 0.50 kg/m³. If the aircraft weight is 480,000 N, what is the required wing lift coefficient (C_L)?

A.0.20

B.0.80

C.0.40

D.0.60

Explanation: Dynamic pressure is q = 0.5 * rho * V² = 0.5 * 0.50 * 200² = 10,000 N/m². In steady level flight, Lift = Weight = 480,000 N. The lift equation is Lift = C_L * q * S, which yields C_L = 480,000 / (10,000 * 120) = 480,000 / 1,200,000 = 0.40.

2How do induced drag (C_Di) and parasite drag (C_Dp) vary as an aircraft accelerates from minimum drag speed (V_md) to higher cruise airspeeds in clean configuration?

A.Induced drag decreases proportionally to 1/V² while parasite drag increases proportionally to V²

B.Induced drag increases proportionally to V² while parasite drag decreases proportionally to 1/V²

C.Both induced drag and parasite drag increase proportionally to V²

D.Induced drag remains constant while parasite drag increases linearly with V

Explanation: Parasite drag is directly proportional to dynamic pressure (q = 0.5 * rho * V²), increasing with V². Induced drag depends on the square of the lift coefficient (C_L²); because required C_L decreases as 1/V² to maintain lift equal to weight, induced drag decreases with 1/V². At speeds above V_md, parasite drag dominates total aerodynamic drag.

3During a high angle of attack maneuver, what primary physical phenomenon triggers boundary layer separation on the upper surface of a conventional cambered airfoil?

A.A favorable pressure gradient (dp/dx < 0) causing kinetic energy dissipation through acoustic radiation

B.A sudden decrease in local Mach number forcing the boundary layer from turbulent to laminar state

C.Thermal expansion of the boundary layer creating supersonic shock waves at low airspeed

D.An adverse pressure gradient (dp/dx > 0) decelerating low-momentum boundary layer fluid until reverse flow occurs

Explanation: As angle of attack increases, flow past the suction peak encounters a strong adverse pressure gradient (dp/dx > 0). Friction continuously depletes the kinetic energy of fluid near the wall, eventually causing the velocity gradient at the wall (du/dy) to reach zero and reverse, which separates the boundary layer and causes aerodynamic stall.

4An aircraft has a wings-level stall speed (V_s) of 120 kt. In a coordinated, constant-altitude turn at a 60° bank angle, what is the new accelerated stall speed (V_s,turn)?

A.140 kt

B.170 kt

C.240 kt

D.120 kt

Explanation: In a coordinated level turn, load factor is n = 1 / cos(bank angle) = 1 / cos(60°) = 2.0 g. Stall speed scales with the square root of load factor: V_s,turn = V_s * sqrt(n) = 120 * sqrt(2) ≈ 120 * 1.414 = 169.7 kt ≈ 170 kt.

5When a technician prepares the industrialisation of an aircraft assembly operation, what is the purpose of the gamme de montage (assembly process sheet) derived from the design file?

A.It fixes the ordered sequence of elementary operations with, for each one, the tooling, jigs, consumables, standard time and quality control points required

B.It records the commercial price negotiated with the customer for the finished aircraft

C.It lists the flight crew qualifications needed to ferry the aircraft after assembly

D.It replaces the manufacturer's illustrated parts catalogue during line maintenance

Explanation: Industrialisation converts a design file or a work request into an executable process. The gamme (process sheet) sequences the elementary operations in the order imposed by accessibility, curing times and dimensional stack-up, and attaches to each phase the jigs and tooling, consumables, qualified operator profile, allocated standard time and the inspection or self-check points. It is the document that links the design intent to the shop floor and to the traceability records.

6What is the primary aerodynamic mechanism by which leading-edge slats delay flow separation at high angles of attack?

A.They artificially increase wing sweep angle, transforming subsonic airflow into supersonic conical expansion

B.They deploy spoilers that detach boundary vortices before they reach the main wing box

C.They form a convergent slot that channels high-energy air from beneath the wing onto the upper surface boundary layer

D.They create an artificial vacuum over the ailerons to prevent adverse yaw

Explanation: Leading-edge slats extend forward to open a convergent nozzle (slot). High-pressure air from beneath the leading edge accelerates through the slot, re-energizing the decelerating boundary layer on the upper surface and delaying stall to significantly higher angles of attack.

7How is the critical Mach number (M_crit) of an aircraft wing defined?

A.The aircraft speed at which structural flutter causes instantaneous wing divergence

B.The free-stream Mach number at which the local airflow velocity over any point of the airfoil first reaches Mach 1.0

C.The Mach number where shock-induced boundary layer separation causes uncontrollable pitch-up (Mach tuck)

D.The flight Mach number at which engine intake duct recovery pressure falls below 50%

Explanation: Critical Mach number (M_crit) is the free-stream flight Mach number at which the local flow velocity over the point of maximum curvature on the upper surface reaches Mach 1.0 (local sonic velocity). Above M_crit, supersonic flow regions and shock waves appear, leading to wave drag.

8Why do commercial transport aircraft utilize swept wings for high-subsonic cruise (Mach 0.78 to 0.85)?

A.Swept wings eliminate spanwise boundary layer cross-flow, preventing outboard stall progression

B.Wing sweep shifts the aerodynamic center ahead of the center of gravity, increasing pitch agility

C.Swept wings eliminate induced drag completely at transonic speeds

D.Sweeping the wing reduces the effective velocity component perpendicular to the leading edge, increasing M_crit

Explanation: Wing sweep decomposes the free-stream velocity vector into a chordwise component (V * cos(Lambda)) perpendicular to the leading edge and a spanwise component (V * sin(Lambda)). Only the perpendicular component generates pressure gradients and compressibility effects, effectively increasing the critical Mach number and delaying wave drag rise.

9For a conventional cambered subsonic airfoil, how does the center of pressure (CP) move as angle of attack increases within the linear lift range?

A.It moves rearward toward the trailing edge as upper surface suction collapses

B.It remains rigidly fixed at the 50% chord position regardless of angle of attack

C.It moves forward toward the aerodynamic center located at approximately 25% chord

D.It oscillates sinusoidally between leading edge and trailing edge at flutter frequencies

Explanation: A cambered airfoil has a nose-down pitching moment about its aerodynamic centre at zero lift (C_m0 < 0). The centre of pressure is located at x_cp = x_ac - c * C_m0 / C_L. As angle of attack and therefore C_L increase, the term c * C_m0 / C_L shrinks, so the centre of pressure migrates forward and asymptotically approaches the aerodynamic centre near the quarter-chord point (25% chord).

10For an aircraft to possess positive static longitudinal stability, what relationship must exist between its center of gravity (CG) and the aircraft neutral point (NP)?

A.The center of gravity must be located forward of the neutral point (positive static margin)

B.The center of gravity must be coincident with the aerodynamic center of the horizontal tail

C.The center of gravity must be located behind the neutral point to produce a restoring pitch-up moment

D.The center of gravity must be positioned at exactly 50% of the mean aerodynamic chord

Explanation: Positive static longitudinal stability requires that an increase in angle of attack (alpha) generates a restoring pitch-down moment (dC_m / dalpha < 0). This condition is satisfied if and only if the center of gravity lies ahead of the aircraft neutral point. The distance between CG and NP normalized by chord is the static margin.

About the BTS Aéronautique Exam

The BTS Aéronautique is France's national higher vocational diploma (Bac+2, RNCP level 5, RNCP38576) qualifying technicians in aeronautical production and maintenance engineering, work organisation, inspection and testing, and continuing airworthiness. It is defined by the arrêté du 14 décembre 2023 (NOR ESRS2331882A, JORF n°0298 of 24 December 2023), amended by the arrêté du 24 juin 2025; the renovated référentiel applies from the 2026 examination session, the last session under the arrêté du 9 avril 2009 having been held in 2025. The four professional blocs are Industrialisation de la production ou de la maintenance des aéronefs, Organisation d'une activité de production ou de maintenance, Contrôle, essai, mise ou remise en service, and Navigabilité des aéronefs, supported by mathematics, physics-chemistry, French expression and technical English. This OpenExamPrep bank provides an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation of the technical and regulatory scope; it is an independent study tool, not an official examination simulation and not a substitute for the oral and practical assessments.

Exam sponsor: Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche (certifier); examination organised by the académies. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Six examination units groups covering eight compulsory units (U1, U2, U31, U32, U41, U42, U5, U6) totalling 32 coefficients, defined by the arrêté du 14 décembre 2023 (NOR ESRS2331882A) as amended by the arrêté du 24 juin 2025, applicable from the 2026 session: E1 Culture générale et expression (U1, coef 3, written 3 h), E2 Langue vivante étrangère 1 - Anglais (U2, coef 4, oral: 30 min comprehension + 15 min production), E3 Mathématiques et physique-chimie (U31 Mathématiques, coef 2, oral with 1 h preparation + 35 min; U32 Physique-Chimie, coef 3, practical 2 h), E4 Industrialisation et contrôle (U41 Industrialisation de la production ou de la maintenance des aéronefs, coef 5, oral 40 min; U42 Contrôle, essai, mise ou remise en service, coef 5, practical 4 h), E5 Organisation d'une activité de production ou de maintenance des aéronefs (U5, coef 5, oral 45 min), and E6 Navigabilité des aéronefs (U6, coef 5, written 4 h). Optional units cover a second modern language (UF1) and student engagement (UF2). Units U2, U31, U32, U41, U42 and U5 are taken as contrôle en cours de formation (CCF) in accredited establishments and in ponctuelle form by individual candidates.

Time Limit

About 17 hours of written, oral and practical assessment for candidates sitting all compulsory units in ponctuelle form

Passing Score

10/20 overall weighted average across all units

Exam / Certification Fees

No examination registration fee is published by the académies; registration is made through the national Cyclades portal. Preparation and tuition costs are separate.

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

14 of 100 questions

Aerodynamics, Flight Mechanics & Performance

Airfoil characteristics, lift and drag generation, boundary layer control, stall regimes, power curves, climb and descent dynamics

20 of 100 questions

Aircraft Structures, Materials & Joining

Fuselage and wing structural layouts, aluminum-lithium, titanium alloys, carbon-fiber reinforced polymers, honeycomb sandwiches, mechanical fasteners, structural bonding

24 of 100 questions

Aircraft Systems, Hydraulics & Avionics

High-pressure hydraulics (3,000 psi), pneumatic bleed-air distribution, environmental control systems, fuel distribution and management, electrical systems and flight control actuators

24 of 100 questions

Industrialisation, Work Organisation, Assembly & Inspection

Assembly process sheets (gammes) and work preparation, takt time and line balancing, maintenance visit planning and critical path, task-card launch and traceability, precision torque tightening, cable rigging, non-destructive testing (penetrant, eddy current, ultrasonic, radiographic), dimensional inspection and corrosion prevention

18 of 100 questions

Airworthiness Regulations, Quality & Documentation

EASA regulatory framework (Part-21, Part-M, Part-CAMO, Part-145, Part-66), Airworthiness Directives, Service Bulletins, MEL, aircraft technical logbooks, Certificate of Release to Service (CRS)

Preparing for the BTS Aéronautique Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 10/20 overall weighted average across all units
Assessment: Six examination units groups covering eight compulsory units (U1, U2, U31, U32, U41, U42, U5, U6) totalling 32 coefficients, defined by the arrêté du 14 décembre 2023 (NOR ESRS2331882A) as amended by the arrêté du 24 juin 2025, applicable from the 2026 session: E1 Culture générale et expression (U1, coef 3, written 3 h), E2 Langue vivante étrangère 1 - Anglais (U2, coef 4, oral: 30 min comprehension + 15 min production), E3 Mathématiques et physique-chimie (U31 Mathématiques, coef 2, oral with 1 h preparation + 35 min; U32 Physique-Chimie, coef 3, practical 2 h), E4 Industrialisation et contrôle (U41 Industrialisation de la production ou de la maintenance des aéronefs, coef 5, oral 40 min; U42 Contrôle, essai, mise ou remise en service, coef 5, practical 4 h), E5 Organisation d'une activité de production ou de maintenance des aéronefs (U5, coef 5, oral 45 min), and E6 Navigabilité des aéronefs (U6, coef 5, written 4 h). Optional units cover a second modern language (UF1) and student engagement (UF2). Units U2, U31, U32, U41, U42 and U5 are taken as contrôle en cours de formation (CCF) in accredited establishments and in ponctuelle form by individual candidates.
Time limit: About 17 hours of written, oral and practical assessment for candidates sitting all compulsory units in ponctuelle form
Exam / certification fees: No examination registration fee is published by the académies; registration is made through the national Cyclades portal. Preparation and tuition costs are separate. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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BTS Aéronautique: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master lift, drag, and thrust equilibrium equations, and practice calculating stall speed variations with load factor and aircraft weight

2Understand the key distinctions between 2000-series (copper), 7000-series (zinc), and aluminum-lithium alloys, including their susceptibility to exfoliation and stress corrosion cracking

3Review the architectural principles of 3,000 psi aircraft hydraulic circuits, including variable-displacement axial piston pumps, accumulators, priority valves, and fire shut-off valves

4Thoroughly study EASA Part-145 and Part-CAMO responsibilities, particularly the conditions for issuing a Certificate of Release to Service (CRS) and the application of Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

5Practice interpreting non-destructive testing (NDT) indications: distinguish between shallow surface cracks detected by fluorescent penetrant inspection and subsurface defects requiring ultrasonic or eddy current inspection

6Familiarize yourself with the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) and operator Minimum Equipment List (MEL) rectification intervals (Categories A, B, C, and D)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BTS Aéronautique qualification in France?

The Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS) Aéronautique is a French national higher technical qualification at level 5 of the RNCP and European Qualifications Framework (Bac+2, 120 ECTS). It prepares technicians for careers in aerospace manufacturing, assembly, methods engineering, quality control, maintenance planning, and airworthiness management across civil and military aviation.

How is the BTS Aéronautique examination organized?

Under the framework established by the arrêté du 14 décembre 2023 and amended by the arrêté du 24 juin 2025, the examination comprises eight compulsory units grouped into six épreuves with 32 total coefficients: E1 Culture générale et expression (U1, coef 3, written 3 h); E2 Anglais (U2, coef 4); E3 Mathématiques et physique-chimie (U31 coef 2, U32 coef 3); E4 Industrialisation et contrôle (U41 Industrialisation, coef 5, oral 40 min; U42 Contrôle, essai, mise ou remise en service, coef 5, practical 4 h); E5 Organisation d'une activité de production ou de maintenance des aéronefs (U5, coef 5, oral 45 min); and E6 Navigabilité des aéronefs (U6, coef 5, written 4 h).

What is the Navigabilité des aéronefs unit in the renovated BTS Aéronautique?

Navigabilité des aéronefs is bloc de compétences n°4 of the renovated référentiel, certified by unit U6 in épreuve E6: a 4-hour written paper with coefficient 5. It assesses the exploitation of airworthiness data, the drafting of documentation, and compliance with European continuing-airworthiness requirements (Part-M, Part-CAMO/CAO, Part-145, Part-21), including preparation of the airworthiness review certificate.

What is the passing score for BTS Aéronautique?

To obtain the diploma, candidates must achieve an overall weighted average of at least 10/20 across all compulsory units. Candidates who obtain an average of at least 8/20 but below 10/20 AND an average of at least 10/20 across the professional-domain units are admitted to the épreuves de contrôle — two 20-minute oral makeup tests (10 minutes preparation + 10 minutes questioning) governed for the 2026 session by the arrêté du 26 août 2025.

How much does it cost to register for the BTS Aéronautique exam?

Registration for the state examination through the French national Cyclades portal is free of any administrative exam fee. Candidates are responsible only for their own preparation costs, books, or tuition at private training centers.

In what language is the official examination conducted?

The official national examination is delivered in French, with unit U2 assessing technical English at CEFR level B2. OpenExamPrep provides a 100-question English-language multiple-choice study adaptation of the technical and regulatory content. It is not an official translation, and it does not simulate the oral or practical components of the real examination.

Does the BTS Aéronautique grant an EASA Part-66 aircraft maintenance license?

No. The BTS Aéronautique is an academic and vocational state diploma awarded by the Ministry of Higher Education. While it covers substantial theoretical knowledge aligned with EASA Part-66 basic knowledge modules (such as aerodynamics, materials, and aviation legislation) and provides valuable credit toward Part-66 requirements, obtaining an EASA Part-66 aircraft maintenance licence (Category A, B1, or B2) requires separate examination and verified practical experience through an approved Part-147 organization or national aviation authority (such as the DGAC/OSAC).

What practical training or internship is required?

The référentiel requires a professional internship (stage en milieu professionnel) in an aeronautical production or maintenance organisation; apprentices fulfil the requirement through their apprenticeship contract. The activities carried out in the workplace supply the material assessed in the professional units, in particular E5 Organisation d'une activité de production ou de maintenance des aéronefs.