EASA ATPL Air Law (010): Syllabus, Topics & How to Pass
Air Law (010) is the regulatory foundation of the EASA ATPL(A) theory phase. It covers the conventions, rules and procedures that govern how aircraft are flown, registered, operated and investigated. Because it is memory-heavy rather than calculation-heavy, many ATOs schedule it as one of the first theory exams. This guide explains what the subject covers, its 12 official syllabus topic areas, the ECQB question format, and the 75% pass mark you need to clear.
Syllabus topic areas
12
From International Law to Security — the full Air Law (010) breakdown.
Pass mark
75%
The same minimum as every one of the 13 ATPL theory subjects.
Question format
Multiple choice
ECQB-style questions, typically four options with one correct answer.
Typical exam order
Early
Memory-heavy and self-contained, so many ATOs schedule it first.
What Air Law (010) is
Air Law is the regulatory foundation of the EASA ATPL(A) theoretical-knowledge syllabus. Where most ATPL subjects are about flying the aircraft, Air Law is about the rules, conventions and procedures that govern civil aviation — from the international treaties that make cross-border flight possible to the Rules of the Air you apply on every sortie.
It is a memory-heavy, not calculation-heavy subject: success comes from learning definitions, responsibilities and procedures precisely rather than from working sums. That self-contained nature is exactly why so many ATOs schedule it as one of the first theory exams — see how it fits into the full EASA ATPL exam structure.
The 12 Air Law syllabus topic areas
The EASA Air Law (010) syllabus is organised into 12 topic areas, spanning international law, airworthiness, licensing, the Rules of the Air, air traffic services and the safety-and-security framework around them. Our question bank follows this same taxonomy so your practice maps directly onto the syllabus.
Question format: ECQB multiple choice
Air Law is examined with multiple-choice questions drawn from EASA’s European Central Question Bank (ECQB) — a central pool of approved questions maintained by EASA. Questions typically present four options with one correct answer, and your national authority (NAA) delivers the exam using the current ECQB edition.
Because EASA periodically updates the ECQB, study material has to keep pace. We keep our question bank aligned to the current ECQB edition so your Air Law practice reflects what you will actually see in the exam.
The 75% pass mark
Air Law is passed at a minimum of 75% — the same threshold as every one of the 13 ATPL theory subjects. Each subject is passed independently, so a strong, early Air Law pass banks one of your 13 exams and builds momentum for the rest of the syllabus.
How to pass Air Law
Because Air Law rewards precise recall, the most effective approach is consistent question practice with spaced repetition rather than passive reading. Drill each of the 12 topic areas until the definitions and procedures are automatic, review the questions you get wrong, and rehearse under exam conditions at the real 75% pass mark.
ATPL Training gives you ECQB-aligned Air Law questions, per-topic mastery tracking, full mock exams at the 75% pass mark, and an AI tutor that explains the reasoning behind every answer.
Important: The Air Law syllabus is set by EASA Part-FCL and the questions are drawn from EASA’s European Central Question Bank (ECQB), delivered by your national authority. The exact topic weighting, question count and pass arrangements are periodically updated — always confirm the current details with your ATO/NAA before you plan your study.
The rules behind the exam
Every ATPL paper is scored under the same Part-FCL rules: a 75% pass mark, four attempts per subject, six sittings, an 18-month completion window, and seven years of theory validity. See each figure with its Part-FCL reference and EUR-Lex source.
Frequently asked questions
How many topics are in EASA ATPL Air Law?
EASA ATPL(A) Air Law (010) is examined across 12 syllabus topic areas: International Law; Airworthiness of Aircraft; Personnel Licensing; Rules of the Air; Air Traffic Services and Air Traffic Management; Aerodromes; Aircraft Operations; Aeronautical Information Services; Search and Rescue; Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation; Facilitation; and Security.
What is the pass mark for EASA ATPL Air Law?
The pass mark for Air Law is 75%, the same minimum required in all 13 EASA ATPL theory subjects. Each subject is passed independently, so Air Law is cleared on its own merits.
Is Air Law a good first ATPL exam?
Many ATOs schedule Air Law early because it is foundational and memory-heavy rather than calculation-heavy, so it does not depend on other subjects. It is largely about learning rules and definitions, which makes it a common starting point — though your ATO sets the actual exam order.
What question format is used in the Air Law exam?
Air Law uses ECQB-style multiple-choice questions drawn from EASA’s European Central Question Bank, typically with four options and one correct answer. Your national authority delivers the exam using questions from the current ECQB edition.
What does EASA ATPL Air Law cover?
Air Law (010) covers the legal and regulatory framework of civil aviation: international conventions and ICAO, airworthiness and registration, personnel licensing, the Rules of the Air, air traffic services, aerodromes, aircraft operations, aeronautical information services, search and rescue, accident investigation, facilitation and security.
Pass Air Law (010) the smart way
Drill ECQB-aligned Air Law questions across all 12 topic areas, track your readiness, and rehearse with full mock exams at the real 75% pass mark.