Operational procedures
Updated: Sources checked on 3 November 2026
In short
Operational procedures is one of the nine subjects of the PPL theory exam. In Germany, the North German authorities set 12 questions in 24 minutes (as of 05/2021); in Switzerland it is 12 questions in 17 minutes.
What the subject covers
This subject deals with general operating requirements under ICAO Annex 6, noise abatement, fire and smoke, wind shear and microbursts, wake turbulence, emergency and precautionary landings, contaminated runways and emergency procedures. 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) | 12 | 24 |
| 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
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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