Free Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) Theory Exam Questions and Answers
Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) Theory Exam is an Aviation certification exam. This page has free practice questions for it with answers and explanations, set out the way the real exam asks them, plus a timed practice test that scores you against the pass mark.
Candidates comparing Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) Theory Exam exam dumps, ExamTopics and other practice tests use this page for the answers and explanations behind each question. Download the free PDF, then sit the timed exam simulation before booking with Aviation.
Last updated: October 21, 2026
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Question #1
Civil twilight begins in the morning when the centre of the sun is at what angle below the horizon?
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Civil twilight is defined by the centre of the sun being 6° below the horizon. 12° marks the limit of nautical twilight and 18° marks the limit of astronomical twilight, so these are the usual traps.
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Question #2
For a Class A aeroplane, the all-engine take-off distance is compared with the one-engine-inoperative take-off distance. What factor is applied to the all-engine distance?
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The take-off distance required is the greater of the one-engine-inoperative distance to 35 ft and 115% of the all-engine distance to 35 ft. The factor is therefore 1.15.
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Question #3
A first officer notices an unstable approach but does not speak up because the captain is much more senior. Which SHELL model interface is mainly involved?
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The SHELL model's Liveware-Liveware interface covers relationships between people, including authority gradient, communication and teamwork. The other interfaces concern equipment design, procedures and symbology, and the physical surroundings.
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Question #4
A VFR flight is planned in Class D airspace at 5,000 ft AMSL. What is the minimum flight visibility required?
Correct answer: C
Explanation
In Class D airspace below 10,000 ft AMSL the minimum VFR flight visibility is 5 km. The 8 km value applies at and above 10,000 ft AMSL.
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Question #5
A single-engine piston aeroplane climbs at a constant IAS in ISA conditions. The headwind component increases. What is the effect on the rate of climb and on the climb gradient over the ground?
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Rate of climb is a vertical speed through the air mass and does not depend on wind. A headwind lowers ground speed, so the same vertical speed is achieved over a shorter ground distance and the gradient over the ground increases.
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Question #6
An aeroplane in automatic pressurisation mode climbs from FL330 to FL390 with the cabin altitude held constant at 6,000 ft. What happens to the differential pressure and to the outflow valve?
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Ambient pressure falls with altitude while cabin pressure is held, so differential pressure rises. The outflow valve must close slightly, because a larger pressure difference drives more outflow through the same opening.
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Question #7
For a Class A turbojet aeroplane, the take-off distance on a wet runway may be determined using a screen height at the end of the take-off distance of:
Correct answer: B
Explanation
On a dry runway the screen height is 35 ft. On a wet runway the take-off distance may be determined with a 15 ft screen height, and the wet distance must not be shorter than the dry distance. The 50 ft value is a common reference for landing distance and Class B take-off, not for Class A wet take-off.
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Question #8
An aeroplane climbs at a rate of climb of 1,200 ft/min with a TAS of 240 kt in zero wind. What is the approximate climb gradient? (1 NM = 6,076 ft)
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Convert TAS to ft/min: 240 kt x 6,076 ft/NM / 60 = 24,304 ft/min. Gradient = rate of climb / horizontal speed = 1,200 / 24,304 = 0.049, or 4.9 %. The 9.8 % value is double the correct figure and the lower values come from slips in the unit conversion.
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Question #9
An aeroplane is to fly a true heading of 085 degrees. The magnetic variation is 12 degrees W and the compass deviation is +3 degrees (3 degrees E). What compass heading must be flown?
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Magnetic heading = true heading + westerly variation = 085 + 12 = 097 degrees. With easterly deviation, magnetic = compass + 3, so compass heading = 097 - 3 = 094 degrees. 100 degrees results from adding the deviation instead of subtracting it.
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Question #10
Compared with the dry adiabatic lapse rate (DALR), the saturated adiabatic lapse rate (SALR) is:
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Condensation releases latent heat, so a rising saturated parcel cools more slowly than the DALR. The SALR varies with temperature and pressure because the amount of water vapour available to condense changes. It approaches the DALR at very low temperatures but remains smaller.
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FAQ
- Q1: What is the Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) Theory Exam exam?
- A: Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) Theory Exam is a professional examination offered by Aviation.
- Q2: Are there practice questions for Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) Theory Exam?
- A: Yes. The first ten are free to read with their answers and no account is needed; the rest of the bank and the practice test come with access to the exam.
- Q3: How should I prepare for Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) Theory Exam?
- A: Start from the official Aviation exam objectives, which define what is actually tested, and practise against questions written to them rather than to a syllabus someone has guessed at.