Air law
Updated: Sources checked on 3 November 2026
In short
Air law is one of the nine subjects of the PPL theory exam. In Germany, the North German authorities set 20 questions in 40 minutes (as of 05/2021); in Switzerland it is 12 questions in 17 minutes.
What the subject covers
The subject covers international air law with the Chicago Convention and the ICAO Annexes on airworthiness, nationality and registration marks, personnel licensing, rules of the air, air traffic services, aerodromes, search and rescue, aeronautical information, security and accident investigation. It adds altimeter setting procedures, transponder operation and national law. The full structure is set out in the EASA syllabus AMC1 FCL.210; FCL.215.
Scope in the exam
| Country | Questions | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Germany (North German aviation authorities, as of 05/2021) | 20 | 40 |
| Switzerland (FOCA/BAZL, valid from 1 January 2026) | 12 | 17 |
Austro Control does not give figures per subject on its page. How the exam works in each country is explained on the country pages.
Topics
- Airspace Classes for VFR Pilots Where is VFR allowed, when do you need a clearance and a radio, and what applies at 250 kt? Airspace classes A to G for VFR flights under SERA.
- VFR Minima: Flight Visibility and Distance from Cloud How much flight visibility and cloud clearance do you need for VFR? SERA Table S5-1 by altitude band and airspace class, with a worked example.
- Right of Way in the Air Who gives way when two aircraft meet? Head-on, converging, overtaking and on approach to land: the right-of-way rules of SERA.3210 explained.
- VFR Cruising Levels and the Semicircular Rule Which cruising level do you fly under VFR above 3,000 ft above ground? The semicircular rule under SERA with a table and a worked example.
- Carrying passengers: 3 landings in 90 days When can you carry passengers? The Part-FCL rule: 3 take-offs and landings in 90 days, plus one night landing if you fly as PIC at night.
- Night rating: the numbers in FCL.810 What the PPL(A) night rating requires: 5 hours at night, 3 dual, 1 hour of navigation, 5 solo take-offs. With course content and a worked example.
Sources
- 1. Easy Access Rules for Aircrew (Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011), Revision October 2026 (EASA, AMC1 FCL.210; FCL.215, accessed 3 November 2026)
- 2. Informationsblatt Theoretische Prüfung, as of 05/2021 (Luftfahrtbehörden Norddeutschland, accessed 3 November 2026)
- 3. BAZL GM/INFO Theorieprüfungen für Privatpiloten, valid from 1 January 2026 (Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA/BAZL), chapter 5, accessed 3 November 2026)
Related topics
- PPL theory: the nine exam subjects The nine subjects of the EASA PPL theory at a glance, with their content, exam scope by country and sourced topic pages to learn from.
- The EASA PPL theory exam How the PPL theory exam works: 75 per cent per subject, an 18-month window, four attempts, 24 months validity and how countries differ.
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