How and where is the theory exam for a glider pilot’s licence taken?

In accordance with pan-European legislation, aviation training is provided by accredited organisations: ATOs or DTOs. A Declared Training Organisation (DTO) is often a flying club or association. Our club, AAVA, is licensed as a DTO. You can complete all stages of training and sit both the theory and practical exams directly at the club.

The exam consists of 9 modules (subjects)*. You can sit them all together or each module separately. Once you have successfully passed the first module, you have 18 months to complete all the others. The exam is organised as an online test, with four answer options provided for each question. The minimum pass mark is 75 per cent correct answers if you are applying to become a pilot, and 90 per cent if you are applying to become an instructor. You are allowed three attempts at each module; if the fourth attempt is unsuccessful, it will invalidate the results of all previously passed modules. There is no limit to the total number of attempts you can make to sit the exam. Materials to help you prepare for the theory exam are compiled into a comprehensive online course, to which you will have access for 24 months.

*_Modules (subjects) you will be required to sit in the theory exam:

1. Air Law: Aviation legislation, flight rules, airspace classifications, rules for the issuance of pilot licences and operating regulations.

2. General Knowledge of Aircraft: Aircraft systems, engines, instruments, electrical and fuel systems, as well as the basic principles of maintenance.

3. Flight performance and planning: Weight and centre of gravity calculations, flight performance data, fuel consumption planning, take-off and landing performance, and flight planning methods.

4. Human capabilities and limitations: The effects of flight on the human body, including fatigue, hypoxia, vision and psychological factors.

5. Meteorology: The theory of weather, cloud types, fronts, barometric systems, wind and meteorological hazards associated with flight.

6. Navigation: Use of charts, diagrams, radio navigation aids, route calculation and flight planning.

7. Operating procedures: Standard operating procedures, emergency procedures and flight safety.

8. Principles of Flight: Aerodynamics, flight mechanics, aircraft stability and control, and the fundamentals of the powerplant.

9. Radio Communications: Radio telephone communication procedures, phraseology, distress and urgency signals, and basic radio communication operations.