Mastering ATPL
ATPL theory books: 13 subjects, 14 study guides
One revision guide and question bank for every ATPL(A) theory subject, written to the EASA and UK CAA learning objectives. This page is a subject-by-subject guide to the series, so you can find the book for the paper you are studying.
By Matthew Dowell, airline training captain and Chief Flight Instructor. These are revision guides, not approved by any regulator. Regulations, aeronautical information publications and your operator's manuals always take precedence.
What each book gives you
- A complete revision guide built on the full published learning objectives for the subject.
- A question bank, with a clear picture of where the marks are.
- A mock examination at the end, weighted as the real one.
Short answer: the EASA ATPL theory exam has 13 subjects, and the Mastering ATPL series covers them in 14 books because Aircraft General Knowledge (subject 021) is split into two. The 13 versus 14 question is explained below.
Why 13 subjects, but 14 books?
The number depends on who is counting.
- EASA counts 13. Part-FCL rule FCL.515(b) lists 13 ATPL theoretical knowledge subjects: air law; aircraft general knowledge (airframe, systems and power plant); aircraft general knowledge (instrumentation); mass and balance; performance; flight planning and monitoring; human performance; meteorology; general navigation; radio navigation; operational procedures; principles of flight; and communications. This is where the figure "13 ATPL subjects" comes from.
- The UK CAA lists 14. Its ATPL(A) page names 14 theory areas, because it shows VFR communications and IFR communications as separate items. Communications is one subject in the EASA list.
- Mastering ATPL has 14 books. Instrumentation (022) and Communications (090) are one book each, but the airframe, systems and power plant subject (021) is split into two books, Airframe and Systems and Powerplant and Electrics. Thirteen subjects, plus one split, makes 14 books.
So "13 subjects" and "14 subjects" describe the same syllabus counted in different ways, and the 14 books cover all of it. For the pass mark, attempts and time limits, see ATPL exams explained, with sources. Sources for the counts: the EASA Easy Access Rules for Aircrew and the UK CAA ATPL(A) page, both read 27 October 2026.
Textbook, revision guide or question bank?
A full textbook teaches a subject from the ground up. A question bank tests what you can recall and apply. A revision guide condenses the subject to the learning objectives so you can see what is needed. Mastering ATPL combines the second and third: a revision guide and question bank for each subject, with a mock examination at the end. It does not replace your approved training organisation's course, which sets the syllabus and exam rules.
Law, operations and communications
The rule-based papers. They reward accurate recall of what is published, so the learning objectives are the best checklist.
Operational Procedures
Operations manual, fuel, winter operations, emergencies and dangerous goods.
Communications
VFR and IFR radiotelephony, phraseology and emergency procedures.
The aeroplane: systems, instruments and flight
Understanding how things work, then applying it to a question. Diagrams and clear cause and effect matter more than memorised lists.
Airframe and Systems
Aircraft General Knowledge, part 1: structure, hydraulics, flight controls, pneumatics, fuel and fire.
Powerplant and Electrics
Aircraft General Knowledge, part 2: electrics, piston and turbine engines.
Instrumentation
Air data, gyroscopic and flight instruments, automatic flight and warning systems.
Principles of Flight
Lift, drag, stalls, high-speed flight, stability and control.
Loading, performance and planning
Calculation papers. Practise the method on worked examples until it is routine, and check units every time.
Mass and Balance
Loading, centre of gravity and the load sheet, worked on one aeroplane.
Performance
Take-off, climb, cruise and landing performance for Class A and B aeroplanes.
Flight Planning
Navigation logs, charts, the fuel scheme and in-flight monitoring.
Navigation and weather
Mixes theory with charts, tools and reports. Regular practice with real material helps.
General Navigation
The Earth, charts, dead reckoning and the navigation computer.
Radio Navigation
NDB, VOR, DME, ILS, radar, GNSS and performance-based navigation.
Meteorology
The atmosphere, weather systems, hazards and the met reports you will read every day.
The human side
Physiology, psychology, CRM and threat and error management. It links directly to how airlines assess pilots in the cockpit and the simulator.
Human Performance and Limitations
Physiology, psychology, CRM and threat and error management.
How to use the series
- Work from the learning objectives for the subject, ticking them off as you cover them.
- Study a section, then test yourself on it before moving on.
- Keep the mock examination for the end, under timed conditions.
- Follow your training organisation's syllabus and the exam rules it gives you. They are the authority, not this page.
Exams, study order and the airline interview
- ATPL exams explained: subjects, pass mark, attempts and time limits under EASA Part-FCL.
- What order to study and sit the papers.
- ATPL exam rules by authority: EASA, UK CAA and national pages compared, with sources.
- Frozen ATPL explained: how a CPL/IR with ATPL theory becomes a full ATPL.
- Technical pilot interview: which ATPL subjects get asked.
- Airline pilot interview questions and the interview guide.
Other authorities
If you are studying for a different authority, there are books written to the DGCA (India), Transport Canada (TP 690) and UAE GCAA syllabi. See the India, Canada and UAE guides.
Frequently asked questions
How many ATPL subjects are there, 13 or 14?
Thirteen under EASA Part-FCL (FCL.515(b)), which lists communications as one subject and aircraft general knowledge as two (airframe, systems and power plant; and instrumentation). The UK CAA's ATPL(A) page lists 14 areas because it shows VFR and IFR communications separately. The Mastering ATPL series has 14 books because Aircraft General Knowledge (subject 021) is split into two books, Airframe and Systems, and Powerplant and Electrics.
Which ATPL subjects does the Mastering ATPL series cover?
All of the ATPL(A) theory subjects, one book per paper: Air Law, Aircraft General Knowledge (in two books, Airframe and Systems, and Powerplant and Electrics), Instrumentation, Mass and Balance, Performance, Flight Planning, Human Performance and Limitations, Meteorology, General Navigation, Radio Navigation, Operational Procedures, Principles of Flight and Communications. That makes 14 books.
Is the series approved by a regulator?
No. These are revision guides and are not approved by any regulator. Regulations, aeronautical information publications and your operator's manuals always take precedence, and your training organisation will tell you the current exam rules.
What does each book contain?
Each book is a complete revision guide and question bank built on the full published learning objectives for that subject. It shows you where the marks are and ends with a mock examination weighted as the real one.
Are the books available as ebooks and paperbacks?
Kindle and paperback editions are on Amazon, and ebooks are on Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and other stores through the Other stores links. Some titles are not yet on Amazon, and some are coming soon; the table above shows which.
Do you have books for other aviation authorities?
Yes. There are books written to the DGCA (India), Transport Canada (TP 690) and UAE GCAA syllabi. See the other regions section on the home page.
Free: the Competency Self-Assessment sheet
Studying for the ATPL is the first step; airlines then assess you on competencies. This free working sheet covers the ICAO competencies as they are observed and graded, one page per competency. Enter your email and we will send it.
Further reading
Once you reach the airline stage, what to expect at an airline pilot interview walks through selection. Flying Competent explains the competencies assessors observe.
See the series on the home page Free competency self-assessment sheet