About the exam
CAA PPL Theory Exam structure
An independent, route-aware study guide for the current UK CAA PPL(A) and PPL(H) theoretical-knowledge syllabi and GA e-Examination rules.
Issuer and path
UK CAA PPL Theoretical Knowledge Study Guide is administered through UK Civil Aviation Authority. Check official resources before booking, retesting, or relying on a stale requirement.
UK CAA PPL Theoretical Knowledge
0 scored + 0 pretest
The current nine-subject UK Part-FCL PPL(A) and PPL(H) theoretical-knowledge routes, learning objectives and GA e-Examination rules.
Before booking a PPL paper
Confirm the training-organisation recommendation, selected PPL(A) or PPL(H) route, candidate portal status and booking confirmation. Use only the identification and material permitted for that paper, and follow the Ground Examiner's briefing for the live time limit and question total.
How to use this guide
How to prepare for UK CAA PPL theory
Work from the training-organisation recommendation and selected aircraft category, map study to the current CAA learning objectives, and use the live booking confirmation for paper-specific logistics.
1. Select the licence route
Choose PPL(A) or PPL(H), retain the route's nine papers, and reject material from the other 081/082 branch.
2. Select the subject and objective
Locate the relevant CAP2090 or ORS9 objective, including its aeroplane or helicopter applicability where marked.
3. Learn the operational relationship
Connect the rule, calculation, system or aerodynamic principle to a safe private-pilot decision.
4. Rehearse the live paper format
Use the current booking confirmation and Ground Examiner briefing, then repair any KDR-linked learning objective.
International Law, Airworthiness and Licensing
ICAO foundations, aircraft nationality and airworthiness, personnel licensing and the UK Part-FCL responsibilities relevant to a private pilot.
Key rules
Rule 1
The Chicago Convention and ICAO Annex structure explain how international standards connect to UK rules and operating documents.
Exam cue: Identify the document, issuing authority, holder and period of validity.
Rule 2
Registration, certificates of airworthiness, pilot licensing and medical status are separate legal prerequisites.
Exam cue: Separate aircraft legality from pilot qualification and operational permission.
Rule 3
The pilot in command must establish that aircraft, crew and required documents are fit and valid for the intended flight.
Exam cue: Use current UK rules rather than an unamended EASA summary.
Common traps
Treating registration as proof of airworthiness.
Prevention: Do not blend aeroplane and helicopter objectives or treat the aggregate 601-item study allocation as an official CAA question total.
Assuming a licence alone authorises every class, type or privilege.
Prevention: Do not blend aeroplane and helicopter objectives or treat the aggregate 601-item study allocation as an official CAA question total.
Relying on foreign or superseded wording without checking UK applicability.
Prevention: Do not blend aeroplane and helicopter objectives or treat the aggregate 601-item study allocation as an official CAA question total.
Memory anchors
ICAO
International standards frame national rules but UK law controls a UK licence and operation.
Four Checks
Aircraft, pilot, documents and intended operation must each be lawful.
Registration
Registration identifies nationality; it does not certify serviceability.
Licence plus Rating
The licence, applicable rating and recency or validity must align.
PIC Duty
The pilot in command confirms legal and operational readiness before departure.
Next best moves
Quick check-up
Use a short quiz to confirm the rule pattern is actually sticking.
Check-up Questions
What is ICAO's principal role under the Chicago Convention?
A UK-registered aeroplane carries a current certificate of registration. What does that certificate establish?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
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Official resources
Verify the details with the official sources
Use these links for eligibility, scheduling, handbook rules, and issuer updates. Our guide helps you study; official sources tell you what the testing partner currently requires.
CAA theoretical knowledge examinations
Current PPL subject grouping, 75% pass standard, 18-month examination series, recommendation and 24-month issue-validity rules.
CAA GA theoretical knowledge e-Exams
Current PPL(A)/PPL(H) delivery guidance and the official CAP2090 learning-objective publication list.
Standards Document 11
Current Ground Examiner and candidate process, nine core papers, attempt limits, booking information, results and KDR handling.
Standards Document 11 Supplementary Amendment 2026-01
Current supplementary amendment checked alongside Version 15; it changes paper-based examination administration rather than the core PPL(A)/PPL(H) subject structure.
ORS9 Decision No. 0053
Current AMC1 FCL.210 and FCL.215 PPL(A)/PPL(H) detailed theoretical-knowledge syllabus and route-applicability columns.
CAP2090J · 010 Air Law and ATC Procedures
CAA learning objectives for a common PPL(A)/PPL(H) subject.
CAP2090A · 020 Aircraft General Knowledge
CAA learning objectives with aeroplane and helicopter applicability retained inside the subject.
CAP2090B · 030 Flight Performance and Planning
CAA learning objectives with aeroplane and helicopter applicability retained inside the subject.
CAP2090C · 040 Human Performance
CAA learning objectives for a common PPL(A)/PPL(H) subject.
CAP2090D · 050 Meteorology
CAA learning objectives for a common PPL(A)/PPL(H) subject.
CAP2090E · 060 Navigation
CAA learning objectives for a common PPL(A)/PPL(H) subject.
CAP2090F · 070 Operational Procedures
CAA learning objectives with aeroplane and helicopter applicability retained inside the subject.
CAP2090G · 081 Principles of Flight - Aeroplane
CAA learning objectives for the aeroplane Principles of Flight paper.
CAP2090H · 082 Principles of Flight - Helicopter
CAA learning objectives for the helicopter Principles of Flight paper.
CAP2090I · 090 Communications
CAA learning objectives for a common PPL(A)/PPL(H) subject.
CAA Flight Radiotelephony Operator Licence
Current relationship between the PPL Communications theoretical paper and the separate FRTOL practical examination.
FAQ
Common CAA PPL Theory questions
Is this an official CAA course or examination question bank?
No. It is an independent study guide with original practice questions; it contains no official, recalled or live CAA examination content. The training organisation controls training and recommendation, while the UK CAA controls the official examinations.
Why does one slug cover PPL(A) and PPL(H)?
The tracker defines one PPL theory slug. These assets preserve that granularity while retaining two explicit nine-paper routes. The five common subjects remain shared, category-specific 020, 030 and 070 content stays labelled, and the 081 aeroplane and 082 helicopter branches never become one universal paper.
Which subjects are common to both routes?
The CAA identifies Air Law, Human Performance, Meteorology, Communications and Navigation as common. Aircraft General Knowledge, Flight Performance and Planning, Operational Procedures and Principles of Flight are specific to the aircraft category, even where the first three retain the same paper code.
Should an aeroplane candidate study Subject 082?
No. PPL(A) uses Subject 081 Principles of Flight - Aeroplane. PPL(H) uses Subject 082 Principles of Flight - Helicopter. A learner should select the licence route before using the principles-of-flight topics.
How many questions and how much time does each paper have?
Current public CAA material does not provide a stable per-paper question-and-time matrix for the core GA e-Exams. Standards Document 11 says the booking confirmation shows relevant examination information and the Ground Examiner briefs the time limit and number of questions. This guide therefore does not invent fixed figures.
What happens after a failed paper?
A subject may be attempted at most four times. After a third failure, the Ground Examiner refers the candidate to the Head of Training for extra training before a fourth e-Exam attempt. Failure on the fourth attempt ends the examination series, voids prior passes and requires further training and a new recommendation before restarting.
Has the PPL theory validity period changed to 36 months?
No current operative CAA source reviewed for this module makes that change. The current PPL examination guidance and Standards Document 11 retain 24 months from completion for initial licence issue. A proposed 36-month period in later consultation material must not be treated as effective law.
Is the Communications paper the same as the FRTOL practical test?
No. The PPL Communications theoretical examination is part of the nine-paper theory route. The CAA also permits that written paper through an authorised FRTOL examiner, but the practical FRTOL test is a separate assessment needed for the radio-telephony operator licence.
How should a Knowledge Deficiency Report be used?
Where the CAA result is above 50%, the report identifies syllabus learning-objective references for deficient areas. Review those objectives with the Ground Examiner or training organisation and repair the concept or procedure before another attempt.
Can valid higher-licence theory passes provide PPL credit?
The CAA states that valid ATPL or CPL theoretical-knowledge passes in the same aircraft category provide credit toward PPL theory. The candidate and training organisation should confirm category, validity and licensing circumstances before relying on a credit.