New ATPL syllabus
A new ATPL syllabus will be implemented at Icelandic flight schools after May 31st 2020. This will affect all students who undergo theoretical training after the implementation date, and also older students who start a new attempt at theoretical knowledge exams at ICETRA after August 31st 2020, which will be examined using a new question bank. "Older students" who start their examination attempt prior to August 31st 2020 will be able to finish their examination attempt using the old question bank until January 31st 2022.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued an extensive update to the theoretical syllabus for training courses required for a professional pilot licence. This “new syllabus” will soon be implemented at Icelandic flight schools (ATOs), with all theoretical ATPL training course starting after May 31st 2020 being aligned with the new syllabus.
The Icelandic Transport Authority (ICETRA) would like to emphasize that this update entails significant changes to the structure of theoretical training required for an ATPL licence. It will affect all students who undergo theoretical training after the implementation date, including students which require further training at an ATO prior to re-taking the ATPL theoretical knowledge exams at ICETRA.
Principal changes to the ATPL theoretical syllabus
- Revised syllabus with Learning Objectives (LOs) moved between subjects and duplicates deleted;
- Existing LOs updated and new LOs introduced for most subjects, taking into account new technology (outdated removed), current safety priorities and changes in operational practices;
- Examination subjects “091 – VFR COM” and “092 – IFR COM” have been combined to a single subject, “090 – Communications”;
- A new theoretical subject has been introduced, “Area 100 – Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA)”. Please note that this subject will not be a part of CAA theoretical knowledge exams. Before being recommended by an ATO to sit the final examination paper at the first attempt (in CAA exams), the applicant shall have successfully completed the applicable “Area 100 – KSA” summative assessments and mental maths test at the ATO.
New question bank for theoretical ATPL exams
Along with the before mentioned changes, EASA has issued a new version of the European Central Question Bank (ECQB 2020) aligned with the new syllabus. ICETRA will be implementing the new question bank in exams held after August 31st 2020 for students affected. Based on the current examination schedule at ICETRA published for the year 2020, the first examination session using the updated question bank will be held 05 – 09 October 2020. Please note that, after August 31st 2020, all students sitting their first exams in a new attempt at the ATPL exams will be examined according to the new syllabus, using the new ECQB 2020 question bank.
Students who start their examination attempt prior to August 31st 2020 (trained according to the “old syllabus”) will be able to finish their attempt within the conventional time limit, 6 sittings in 18 months. By January 31st 2022 all exams will align with the new syllabus. Until then, ICETRA will run two separate question banks side-by-side, one for each group of students.
Particular attention is drawn to the fact that “older” students, trained according to the old syllabus, will not be able to start a new attempt using the old question bank after August 31st 2020, e.g. following a failed attempt at CAA exams. As always, these students will need to seek further training at an ATO.
Students are instructed to be in touch with their flight school regarding any further information on the before mentioned changes.
The regulation in whole is accessible via the EASA website.
