Theoretical Training

Theoretical Training

The theory lasts ten months. These months are divided into 4 blocks, each block lasting 2 months.

During the 4 blocks of theory, you follow the 13 subjects listed below. It is not the case that you actually start with block 1.

All the theory lessons are given in 1 class, you simply join in the block where the current class is. From there, you go through all 4 blocks until you have completed them all.

Block 1

• Airlaw
• Mass & Balance
• Operational procedures
• Communications

Block 2

• Airframe, systems & powerplants
• Instruments
• Principles of Flight

Block 3

• Performance
• General navigation
• Radio navigation

Block 4

• Flight Planning & Monitoring
• Human performance & limitations
• Meteorology

Block 4

These courses are taught from Monday to Friday at Lelystad airport.

During the theory blocks, we look at the progress of the students by means of an online learning environment. If necessary, extra attention is paid to subjects that the class seems to have difficulties with.

After a five-week period of classes, there is an internal exam. If the student's performance is satisfactory, the candidates will be released for the official examination at the CBR, which will take place in week eight. then the new block will start.

The minimum legal score per subject is 75%. However, scores well into the 90% range are very common among our students!

After passing all the subjects, the student will continue the training with the practical phase.

Theory Modular (APPM) Theory for Modular training through our partner Orbit-Groundschool All theory courses consist of a ‘distance learning’ phase (home study at your own pace) and a short session of one half-day per subject (morning or afternoon) based on Q&A as a check on basic knowledge.

These half-day sessions are scheduled in 5 consecutive working days as listed here or at the bottom of this page. This training, also known as ‘revision & brushup’, is required by the Inspectorate for the Environment and Transport (ILT).

After completion of each module, the exams follow. These are conducted monthly at their own ‘in-house’ examination centre. Nowadays, the Revision & Brushup Course can be delivered via the ‘virtual classroom’ environment using live webinars, where you can participate from the comfort of your own home and no longer have to come to school.

In order to keep the theory course well-organised and specific components well connected, the teaching material, consisting of 13 theory subjects, is divided into two modules.

Block 1

• General Navigation
• Instrumentation
• Flight Planning and Monitoring
• Human Performance and Limitations
• Communications;
• Mass and Balance 

Block 2

• Aircraft General Knowledge
• Radio Navigation (PBN)
• Operational Procedures
• Principles of Flight Performance
• Air Law

After passing your first exams of module 1, you will continue with module 2 through self-study. You then take part in the final classroom exam training in Arnhem and pass the remaining exams. Self-study The main advantage of our distance-learning ATPL(A) course is that you set your own pace and study time.

The home study work programme is schematically structured in weeks and daily tasks, with around 15 study hours per week, a lead time of around six months is quite feasible for both modules, excluding exams. An average student completes the ATPL(A) theory course in about four to six months.

Module 1 takes about fourteen weeks, module 2 about ten weeks. Of course, you can determine your study load. The duration depends on your own time commitment. In self-study, you will be guided through all subjects and topics by means of a simple work programme per module. Study progress is monitored by means of compulsory ‘progress’ tests.

The progress tests are taken every other chapter and can be taken at home on the computer. You then send the test online to Orbit Groundschool for checking at the touch of a button.