EASA EXAMS
43 AIR SCHOOL NOW OFFERS EASA THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE EXAMINATIONS IN COOPERATION WITH AUSTRO CONTROL
43 Air School, in cooperation with Austro Control, offers EASA exams written monthly in Port Alfred, South Africa.
For candidates who are required to undergo an EASA approved theoretical knowledge course (ground school) before writing these exams, 43 Air School has partnered with Bristol Groundschool (BGS) and is able to offer a 100% remote learning solution.
Exams are taken on iPads provided at the exam centre with the results available immediately after the exam. They are also sent by email the following week to the candidate from Austro Control.
- Questions are drawn from the whole of ECQB 2021*
- There are no ‘quadrant’ style questions
- Annexes are viewable on-screen and printed if the question requires it
- Results are available instantly
- Retakes in the same sitting are not allowed
*NOTE: Austro Control will implement the ECQB 2024 database with effect 1st of June 2024. This database will be used for all candidates (new applications and candidates who have already started their exams) and for all subjects affected. More information can be found here: https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/aircrew-and-medical/european-central-question-bank-ecqb#group-get-notified
The conduct of all examination is the sole responsibility of Austro Control in accordance with the statutory provisions of Regulation (EU) No. 1178/2011 and the relevant test regulations laid down by Austro Control.
DO I NEED TO COMPLETE AN EASA ATPL GROUND SCHOOL?
If you are converting an ICAO ATPL with a valid type rating on a multi-pilot aircraft or helicopter and meet the minimum experience requirements for an EASA ATPL (listed below), you don’t need to attend a formal ground school course.
- 500 hours on multi-pilot aircraft
- 250 hours pilot in command (or 500 hours pilot on command under supervision; or 70 hours pilot in command and 180 hours pilot in command under supervision)
- 200 hours cross country
- 75 hours instrument time
- 100 hours night flying
If you hold a non-EASA CPL, or an ATPL but you are following the CPL conversion route, you need to do an approved ground school course and then pass all 13 ground exams: there is no credit given.
43 Air School, through its partnership with Bristol Groundschool (BGS), offers an EASA approved 100% online remote ground school if you require it to be eligible for entry to the ATPL exams. Please note that you need to hold atleast a PPL to complete the Bristol Groundschool (BGS) course.
FORMAL EXEMPTION FROM GROUND SCHOOL
If you meet the minimum requirements mentioned above, you need to apply to Austro Control to receive a formal exemption letter to be allowed to book EASA ATPL examinations without having sat a formal ground school.
To apply for the exemption from Austro Control:
- Download the relevant application:
ATPL (A) Conversion Application - Complete pages 1 and 2 of the form electronically (not by hand) and then e-mail directly to Austro Control with the following documentation: – examinations@austrocontrol.at
- Copy of last (5 at least) pages of logbook
- Copy of valid ICAO licence with valid type rating
- Copy of valid medical
- Copy of ID document
- Austro Control will then check that you meet the requirements and send you confirmation of exemption.
*BOOK EXAMS WITH AUSTRO CONTROL & 43 AIR SCHOOL
- Download the relevant application:
ATPL (A) Application
ATPL and CPL (H) Application - Complete pages 1 and 2 of the form electronically (not by hand) and then electronically sign or print and sign Part 2. (Please
note – if you have not studied with Bristol Groundschool, you will also need your ATO to complete and sign Part 4 and 5). If
you have received an exemption from Austro Control, Part 4 and 5 can be left blank and you will need to submit this
exemption email to 43 Air School when making the booking. - Complete the 43 Air School booking form by indicating which exams will be written on Day 1 and/or Day 2 of the examination
sitting. Note that the first day of the two day sitting is Day 1 and the second day is Day 2. Only one attempt at each examination paper is allowed in one sitting. Download the booking form here: Booking Form - The fees are R1450.00 (incl VAT) per exam subject. Bookings, changes & cancellations must be made 8 working days before the start of the exam week. That is the Thursday, before 17:00 a week and a half prior to the start of the exam week.
- Please note -Incorrectly completed or late submission of forms will result in cancelled exams.
- Email completed forms with the exemption letter received from Austro Control and a copy of your ID document/passport to easa@43airschool.com. Please specify the month you wish to sit the exams.
- Once all your documents have been received, we will reach out to finalise your booking and send payment details.
Please note ECQB08 (old syllabus) exams are no longer available to book with Austro Control. If you have started a series on the old syllabus any remaining exams will be sat using the new 2021 syllabus.
* Please be aware that a cancellation fee of R100 will apply in the event that you request an exam booking, make payment and subsequently cancel before the Austro Control booking is confirmed. A refund net of this cancellation fee will be processed to your bank account.
EXAM DATES 2025
4 & 5 March 2025
8 & 9 April 2025
6 & 7 May 2025
3 & 4 June 2025
1 & 2 July 2025
5 & 6 August 2025
2 & 3 September 2025
7 & 8 October 2025
4 & 5 November 2025
25 & 26 November 2025
EXAM Schedule
Where can I stay in Port Alfred while I write the exams?
Accommodation is offered at our off base Aviator’s Club premises. Herewith the link to Bookings.com to view the rates: https://www.booking.com/hotel/za/aviators-club-port-alfred
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO AFTER THE EXAMS?
You will need an EASA Class One medical certificate (issued by the same state you wish to issue your EASA licence). You will also need to pass an ATPL skills test, which is a combination handling check (and IR if appropriate), on the aircraft you are type rated on. This test must be conducted by an EASA TRE on a simulator (or aircraft) approved for the purpose by EASA.
It is important to understand that the multi-pilot hours must be flown on an aircraft approved for multi-pilot operations by EASA, and the ATPL Skills test must also be conducted on a multi-pilot type and you must already have that type on your ICAO ATP Licence. If you have been flying a single pilot type but operating it with two pilots, you may still be able to count the hours as multi-pilot if you are able to prove that the company operations manual required a minimum of two pilots.
However, the skills test must still be flown on an EASA multi-pilot type and you must have this type on your ICAO licence. If in doubt, it is vital that you get the agreement of the licence issuing authority that your hours count before you embark on training.
43 Air School does not currently offer flight training for the conversion of your licence after completion of the exams. This would need to be done by an EASA approved ATO in Europe.
For FAQ’s regarding the Austro Control exams:
BECOME A PILOT AND
EXPERIENCE ANOTHER WORLD
SACAA 1090 ATO AMO046 / OLD ATO CAA/0074 AC018