Division BFCL.135 BPL – Theoretical knowledge examinationF1
United Kingdom
- (a)
Theoretical knowledge
Applicants for a BPL shall demonstrate a level of theoretical knowledge that is appropriate to the privileges sought through examinations on the following:
- (1)
common subjects:
- (i)
air law;
- (ii)
human performance;
- (iii)
meteorology;
- (iv)
communications; and
- (i)
- (2)
specific subjects concerning balloons:
- (i)
principles of flight;
- (ii)
operational procedures;
- (iii)
flight performance and planning;
- (iv)
aircraft general knowledge related to balloons; and
- (v)
navigation.
- (i)
- (1)
- (b)
Responsibilities of the applicant
- (1)
F2...
- (2)
F3The applicant must only take the theoretical knowledge examination if recommended by the FI(B), ATO or DTO responsible for the applicant’s training and once the applicant has completed the appropriate elements of the training course of theoretical knowledge instruction to a satisfactory standard.
- (3)
The recommendation by the FI(B), ATO or DTO will be valid for 12 months. If the applicant fails to take at least one theoretical knowledge examination paper within those 12 months, the need for further training will be determined by the FI(B), ATO or DTO, based on the needs of the applicant.
- (1)
- (c)
Pass standards
- (1)
A pass in a theoretical knowledge examination paper shall be awarded to the applicant if he or she has achieved at least 75 % of the marks allocated to that paper. No penalty marking shall be applied.
- (2)
Unless otherwise specified in this Annex, an applicant is considered to have successfully completed the required theoretical knowledge examination for the BPL if he or she has passed all the required theoretical knowledge examination papers within a period of 18 months counted from the end of the calendar month when the applicant first attempted to take the examination.
- (3)
If an applicant has failed to pass one of the theoretical knowledge examination papers within four attempts or has failed to pass all papers within the period mentioned in paragraph (2), he or she shall retake the complete set of theoretical knowledge examination papers.
- (4)
- (1)
- (d)
Validity period
The theoretical knowledge examination shall be valid for a period of 24 months counted from the day when the applicant successfully completed the theoretical knowledge examination, in accordance with paragraph (c)(2).
Annotations
Textual amendments
- F1
- F2
Annex 3 point BFCL.135(b)(1) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Aviation Safety (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1116), regs. 1(2), 84(3)
- F3
Annex 3 point BFCL.135(b)(2)(3) substituted (1.10.2025) by The Aviation Safety (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/878), regs. 1(4), 16(3)(c)(i)
- F4
Words in Annex 3 point BFCL.135(c)(4) inserted (1.10.2025) by The Aviation Safety (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/878), regs. 1(4), 16(3)(c)(ii)(aa)
- F5
Words in Annex 3 point BFCL.135(c)(4) substituted (1.10.2025) by The Aviation Safety (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/878), regs. 1(4), 16(3)(c)(ii)(bb)