What order should I sit my ATPL Exams in?

Whether you’ve just completed your CPL or have been working in the industry for years, deciding to sit your ATPL exams is a major step forward in your aviation career. One of the most common questions I get from students is: “What order should I sit my ATPL exams in?”

This question is important because the order in which you approach the exams can significantly affect your motivation, efficiency, and overall success. So, let’s explore what order should I sit my ATPL exams in? and break down the best sequence based on years of experience teaching ATPL subjects.

1. ATPL Flight Planning

I recommend starting with Flight Planning, and here’s why:

• Your exam window starts with your first subject: Once you pass your first ATPL exam, you have two years to complete the remaining subjects. Starting with the hardest subject ensures you’re not wasting your exam window.
• It’s the most challenging and time-consuming subject: Tackle it while you’re fresh and motivated. Leaving it to the end often results in procrastination and lapsing subjects.
• It sets the foundation for other exams: Many skills and concepts learned in Flight Planning carry over to other subjects.

By starting with Flight Planning, you’ll tackle the hardest part first and find smoother sailing ahead.

2. ATPL Performance & Loading

Next, move on to Performance & Loading. This exam complements Flight Planning:

• Significant content overlap: Many questions in Performance are similar to those in Flight Planning, making the transition easier.
• Easier progression: If you’ve already completed Flight Planning, Performance feels much simpler.

A common misconception is that sitting Performance first will help with Flight Planning. This isn’t true—Performance questions can be learned as standalone tasks, but they skip key steps in the flight planning process, meaning it makes it harder to study ATPL Flight Planning after.

3. ATPL Navigation

Now that you’ve completed the first two exams, it’s time for Navigation, a largely standalone subject:

• No significant overlap with other exams: Unlike Performance, Navigation doesn’t heavily relate to Flight Planning or other subjects.
• Calculator skills come in handy: By this point, you’ll be comfortable with the tools and processes needed.
• Chance to switch gears: Navigation involves more theory and less hands-on work, giving you a chance to focus on different skills.

Some believe Navigation should come before Flight Planning because of PNR and CP concepts. However, the methods used in Navigation and Flight Planning are entirely different; the ONLY similarity is…the name.

4. ATPL Aerodynamics & Aircraft Systems

Finally, it’s time to dive into the fun stuff—learning about the aircraft you want to fly.

• Motivation boost: After the more procedural and theoretical exams, Aerodynamics and Systems bring back excitement with topics like jet engines, advanced flight controls, and system failures.
• All theory, no calculations: This exam is pure knowledge, making it a refreshing change.
• Content-rich and universal: There’s plenty of additional material to explore if you want to learn more, and this subject provides a solid foundation for your future career.

5. ATPL Air Law

After the heavy content of Aerodynamics and Systems, take a breather with the open-book Air Law exam:

• No memorisation required: Focus on referencing the materials effectively during the exam.
• Practical knowledge: You’re likely to need this information soon if you’re applying for airlines, so it’s worth doing it later so it’s fresh for your airline interviews.

6/7. ATPL Human Factors and ATPL Meteorology

Finish with Human Factors or Meteorology, both of which are standalone subjects. You can choose the order based on your preference.

• Similar to CPL subjects: If you’ve taught or revised CPL HUF or Met recently, this will be familiar territory.
• Good for instructors: Teaching CPL classes on these subjects can double as great revision.

Final Thoughts

With this approach, you’ll not only answer what order should I sit my ATPL exams in? but also set yourself up for success by tackling the most challenging subjects first and building momentum as you progress. Following this recommended sequence will help you stay motivated, maximise overlaps between subjects, and ultimately make your ATPL journey smoother.

If you’re wondering how long it takes to study for the ATPL exams and how to fit these subjects into your schedule, check out our other post, How Long Does It Take to Study the ATPL Exams? for a detailed breakdown of study timelines and preparation tips.

Good luck, and happy studying!