← All Exam Prep Guides
EASAintermediateCode: 010

EASA ATPL — Air Law (010) Exam Prep

The EASA ATPL — Air Law (010) exam has 44 questions, a 1 hour time limit and a 75% pass mark. This guide covers the topics it tests, study tips from a former airline pilot, a week-by-week plan and 7 practice questions with answers.

Renzo MadueñoRenzo MadueñoFormer Airbus A320 First Officer (Avianca), FAA commercial pilotLast reviewed

The exam at a glance

44

Questions

75%

Pass mark

1 hour

Time limit

Cost

Varies by ATO (approx. EUR 50-100 per exam)

Prerequisites

Enrollment in EASA ATPL theory course at an Approved Training Organisation (ATO)

About the 010 exam

EASA ATPL Air Law (Subject 010) covers international and European aviation regulations, ICAO conventions, rules of the air, and licensing requirements. One of 13 ATPL theory exams that must be passed within 18 months.

Topics Covered

1International air law (Chicago Convention, ICAO Annexes)
2EASA regulations and airworthiness
3Rules of the air (SERA)
4ATC procedures and airspace
5Aerodrome regulations
6Search and rescue
7Aircraft accident investigation
8Aviation security
9Facilitation
10Crew licensing regulations

7 practice questions with answers

Written by Rotate Pilot in the EASA four-option format. They are not from the official EASA question bank, which is not public.

1

According to the Chicago Convention (1944), which of the following is NOT a freedom of the air granted by the International Air Services Transit Agreement?

  1. AThe privilege to fly across a state's territory without landing
  2. BThe privilege to land for non-traffic purposes (e.g., refuelling)
  3. CThe privilege to carry traffic from the airline's home state to another state
  4. DBoth the first and second freedoms are granted by this agreement
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. The privilege to carry traffic from the airline's home state to another state

The International Air Services Transit Agreement (also called the 'Two Freedoms Agreement') grants only the first two freedoms of the air: the right of overflight and the right of technical stop. The third freedom (carrying traffic from the home state to another state) requires separate bilateral or multilateral agreements.

Practice question written by Rotate Pilot

2

Under EASA Part-FCL, what is the minimum age to hold an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) for aeroplanes?

  1. A18 years
  2. B20 years
  3. C21 years
  4. D23 years
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. 21 years

According to Part-FCL (FCL.510), the minimum age to hold an ATPL(A) is 21 years. This is distinct from the CPL minimum age of 18 years and the PPL minimum age of 17 years.

Practice question written by Rotate Pilot

3

ICAO Annex 2 defines the rules of the air. When two aircraft are converging at approximately the same level, which aircraft has the right of way?

  1. AThe aircraft on the left
  2. BThe aircraft on the right
  3. CThe faster aircraft
  4. DThe aircraft at the higher altitude
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. The aircraft on the right

Under ICAO Annex 2, when two aircraft are converging at approximately the same level, the aircraft that has the other on its right shall give way. Therefore, the aircraft on the right has the right of way. The pilot seeing the other aircraft on their right must alter heading to pass behind it.

Practice question written by Rotate Pilot

4

Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 is the Basic Regulation that established which organisation?

  1. AEurocontrol
  2. BThe European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
  3. CThe Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA)
  4. DThe European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC)
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)

Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 is the current EASA Basic Regulation, replacing the previous Regulation (EC) No 216/2008. It establishes the legal framework for EASA and defines its competencies over airworthiness, flight crew licensing, air operations, aerodromes, ATM/ANS, and third-country operators.

Practice question written by Rotate Pilot

5

According to ICAO Annex 13, which state is primarily responsible for conducting the investigation of an aircraft accident?

  1. AThe State of the Operator
  2. BThe State of Registry
  3. CThe State of Occurrence
  4. DThe State of Manufacture
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. The State of Occurrence

ICAO Annex 13 (Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation) stipulates that the State of Occurrence is responsible for instituting and conducting the investigation. If the accident occurs outside the territory of any state (e.g., over international waters), the State of Registry is responsible.

Practice question written by Rotate Pilot

6

Under the Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA), what is the maximum IAS permitted below FL100 in ICAO member states?

  1. A200 kt
  2. B250 kt
  3. C280 kt
  4. D300 kt
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. 250 kt

SERA.6001 specifies that aircraft shall not exceed 250 kt IAS below FL100, unless authorised by the competent authority. This speed limit is consistent with ICAO Annex 2 and exists to reduce collision risk in areas with mixed traffic (VFR and IFR).

Practice question written by Rotate Pilot

7

According to Part-FCL, what is the minimum flight time experience required to apply for an ATPL(A) if the pilot completed an integrated ATP course?

  1. A750 hours total time
  2. B1,000 hours total time
  3. C1,500 hours total time
  4. D1,200 hours total time
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. 1,500 hours total time

Part-FCL (FCL.510.A) requires a minimum of 1,500 hours of flight time as a pilot of aeroplanes to apply for an ATPL(A). This applies whether the pilot followed an integrated or modular training route. Of these 1,500 hours, at least 500 must be in multi-pilot operations.

Practice question written by Rotate Pilot

Take the free EASA practice test

Expert Study Tips

1

Air Law is often recommended as the first EASA ATPL exam to take

2

Focus on ICAO Annexes — know what each annex covers

3

Study SERA (Standardised European Rules of the Air) in detail

4

Know the differences between ICAO and EASA rules where they diverge

5

The Chicago Convention articles appear frequently — memorize key ones

6

Review noise certification and environmental regulations

Suggested Study Timeline

1

Weeks 1-3

Systematic study of all exam topics, take notes and create summaries

2

Weeks 4-6

Deep dive into complex topics, work through practice problems

3

Weeks 7-9

Full practice exams, identify and address knowledge gaps

4

Weeks 10-11

Targeted review of weak areas, practice under timed conditions

5

Week 12

Final review and exam day

Recommended Resources

  • ICAO Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention)
  • EASA Part-FCL — Flight Crew Licensing
  • Regulation (EU) 923/2012 — SERA
  • ICAO Annexes 1-18

More practice by subject

Air Law

Browse questions →

EASA ATPL — Air Law (010): FAQ

How many questions are on the EASA ATPL — Air Law (010) exam?

The EASA ATPL — Air Law (010) exam has 44 questions. You have 1 hour and need 75% or higher to pass.

What are the prerequisites for the EASA ATPL — Air Law (010) exam?

Enrollment in EASA ATPL theory course at an Approved Training Organisation (ATO)

How much does the EASA ATPL — Air Law (010) exam cost?

The EASA ATPL — Air Law (010) exam costs Varies by ATO (approx. EUR 50-100 per exam). This is the testing fee only and does not include study materials or training courses.

Ready to start studying?

Take the free EASA practice test
Renzo Madueño

Written and reviewed by Renzo Madueño

Former Airbus A320 First Officer (Avianca), FAA commercial pilot · Founder, Rotate Pilot

Exam formats, fees and pass rates on this page come from the authority's published sources where a source is linked; the study advice comes from preparing for these tests and flying the line. Rules and formats change, so if something here is out of date, tell us and we fix it.

Last reviewed . Rotate Pilot is independent and not affiliated with the FAA, PSI or any aviation authority.

More EASA Exams

EASA ATPL — Aircraft General Knowledge (021/022)

80 questions · 2 hours

EASA ATPL — Instrumentation (022)

60 questions · 1.5 hours

EASA ATPL — Mass & Balance (031)

25 questions · 1 hour

EASA ATPL — Performance (032)

45 questions · 2 hours

Aviation Regulations Reference

Key regulations with plain-English explanations

Aviation Glossary

Essential aviation terms defined