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European Central Question Bank (ECQB)

The ECQB is a bank of some 10,000 questions (Multiple Choice Questions – MCQs) used by all EASA Member States for the theoretical knowledge examinations of flight crew (professional aeroplane and helicopter pilots and applicants for an instrument rating). It is an important safety tool, ensuring that pilots at European level have the appropriate knowledge and necessary competencies. The question bank today is under the responsibility of EASA.

The questions included in the ECQB cover all subjects used for the relevant Part-FCL theoretical knowledge examinations.
 
These are:

  • Air Law
  • Aircraft General Knowledge
    • Airframe / Systems / Power-plant
    • Instrumentation
  • Flight Performance and Planning
    • Mass and Balance
    • Performance (Aeroplanes)
    • Flight Planning and Monitoring
    • Performance (Helicopters)
  • Human Performance
  • Meteorology
  • Navigation
    • General Navigation
    • Radio Navigation
  • Operational Procedures
  • Principles of Flight
    • (Aeroplanes)
    • (Helicopters)
  • Communications

The EASA ECQB process

In order to continuously improve the quality of the questions and keep them up-to-date with regulatory and technological developments, the Agency maintains an ECQB.

According to a process, new questions are drafted by carefully selected and trained external experts. Thanks to close cooperation with Member States, new and existing questions are reviewed to assess their technical accuracy by subject matter experts nominated by the national aviation authorities. Further rounds of review, as well as the final approval, are performed by EASA.

Developments

EASA aims to add some 1,500 new questions and review at least 2,000 existing questions on an annual basis.

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and confidentiality of the question bank

The ECQB is an asset of great significance for aviation safety. It is also subject to IPR protection. It is therefore of key importance to protect the question bank from misuse and leakage. All organisations and persons involved in the process must ensure that the question bank is kept confidential and that the intellectual property rights of its owners are respected. All violations brought to the attention of EASA or the Member States will be investigated and enforcement measures may be applied.

Downloads

EASA provides a number of downloads related to copyright protection and reporting of errors. These can be accessed here.

Further Information

Further information on the ECQB may be viewed here.