Navigation
Updated: Sources checked on 3 November 2026
In short
Navigation is one of the nine subjects of the PPL theory exam. In Germany, the North German authorities set 20 questions in 60 minutes (as of 05/2021); in Switzerland it is 16 questions in 45 minutes.
What the subject covers
The syllabus starts with the basics: coordinates, great circles and rhumb lines, time and time conversion, directions and distances. It continues with magnetism and compasses, charts, dead reckoning with the navigation computer, in-flight navigation and radio navigation with NDB, VOR and DME, radar, transponders and GNSS. 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 | 60 |
| Switzerland (FOCA/BAZL, valid from 1 January 2026) | 16 | 45 |
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
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.
Practise with the app
Over 2,100 questions from the licensed ECQB-PPL question database, FSRS-based review and an exam mode. The demo quiz is free.
