ATPL ground school

[gliderman69]

Hi all

Just wondering if anybody had any experience with full time ATPL ground schools?

I'm looking for a full time course and trying to minimise the amount of time it takes to get the exams.

Cheers! :D

[metar]

I would argue that you can do it quicker with a correspondence course like Bristol... I flew through the process. That way you can spend as much time as you like on the course.

[gliderman69]

Hi Metar

how long did it take you?

London Metro Uni looks good for time and some positive feedback on here. About 4 months if you pass first time that is!

[metar]

I guess it depends how much time you can spend on it... if you are studying full time at home you can breeze the two Bristol modules in about six months i reckon.

Would require some fairly intense studying though.

I just got my results for the final six exams today and passed them all first time so there is hope!

Feel free to PM me if you want any more advice.

[Capt. Vilo]

I went to Cranfield Aviation Training School, done a full time in house course which took me 9 months. This was with a couple of re takes, had a few mates in my class 14 first time passes in 9 months.
They are well worth a look at for in house and distance learning.

[scallaghan]

Hi

I am currently using Bristol GS for the modular route.

I signed up with them last year and soon to be doing my brush up courses for the first 8 exams in the next 2 months.

Working commitments held me back doing it sooner.

If it was me, I would recommend doing the modular and working up until the last exam rather then doing a full time course.

Then leave your work and do the flying courses (CPL / IR) etc.

Its still difficult to a get a job at the end of training and most instructors that taught me a few years ago are still at the flying schools teaching awaiting a job. But without type ratings and jet experience time, its still hard.

Cheers

Sean

[parris60]

Did mine with Cabair at Cranfield full time. It was hard going but the course was finished within 5 months, I had a re-sit so it took just over 6 months. I was very happy, think it would of taken a lot longer doing it at home. Always helps having a teacher barking at you!

[gliderman69]

Thanks for the replies.

I've studied at home for open university courses but have always liked having a teacher upfront I tend to take things in better that way.

I'm looking for a faster way to do the ATPL exams since I'm 33 and wanted to try to do the thing that is not weather dependant quickly!

I noticed most places ask that you have the ATPL exams befoer you start your CPL is this the case everwhere or can you overlap in a certain extend?

[smith]

I've signed up for Glasgow full time starting 12 Sept
http://www.gcns.ac.uk/aviation I think there are about 15 signed up so far. Been struggling with the Naples notes on distance learning so decided to go full time.

[metar]

I'm pretty sure you need your ATPL passes before you start CPL training. Most people do their hour building while they are doing the exams.

[Send Clowns]

Not quite true, metar. The requirement is for the exam passes before taking the CPL flight test, although most schools are wary of letting students start until they have the passes as if they have a resit it will delay flight training, and probably require continuation training on the flying.

People do the hour building at all sorts of different stages.

[Crispy-wing]

If you want quality training and a good environment to learn in, I can sincerely recommend Bournemouth Commercial Flight Training (BCFT).

They are a great bunch of experienced staff who will fall over themselves to assist with passing the ATPL examinations.

Give them a call and (or) pop down to visit the school (recommended).

They got me through. (Especially Send Clowns (above) who I will be ever thankful for his coaching, to help me get through Gen Nav!)

Chrispy.

[metar]

I stand corrected Clowns! Perhaps I should rephrase to "most people do their ATPLs before starting CPL training and do hours building at this time!"

[jemax]

Bristol, Bristol, Bristol, if you want speed go as fast as you can, breezed it in 6 months, it's not unheard of to go through in three.

Notes are excellent, it's up to you, how hard are you prepared to work, you need to time the exam bookings and brush up's early though as they get booked up.

Plus go through the online database a million times, their second module could easily be done by anyone in 6 weeks, the minumum between end of mod 1 exams and next CAA exams you can get on, if you work hard enough

Full time you are going at the pace of the slowest!

I had no aviation background whatsoever

[Philip Aerodynamics]

I get bored of repeating myself but please don´t forget about www.gtserv.co.uk these chaps are of the old school and will make you understand the fundamentals first before adding their experience to questionable feedback. Head of training Roger Henshaw ex Raf Nav. Pete Swatton former squadron leader and author of the Performance book, and Dave "duk" Webb the only instructor left who has flown supersonic 6500 hr on Jaguars & Lightenings. They don´t use pprune.

[Alex Whittingham]

Hate to burst your bubble Phillip but I've got 4 instructors that have flown supersonic on Hawks (just), Jags, Mirages, Hunters, F16s and others. Despite what you've been told there are still lots of us around!

[gliderman69]

Thanks for all the great info.

Bristol seems to be the most recommended on here and by aviation friends of mine.

May be in the position to study at home full time ina couple of months and will most likely go the bristol route.

Cheers

Gliderman!

[Philip Aerodynamics]

Have you got supersonic hours then Alex ? I thought if you wiped the dust off that log book you´ve got 7 hrs trident. Not questioning your school in getting people thro the exams but during my time at GTS some ex bristol students found the smaller class sizes hugely beneficial. No doubt you both have good schools but if I was London, SE based GTS would be my only choice.

[Alex Whittingham]

I'ver only been supersonic once, as part of the Hawk course at Valley, the rest of my time was definitely subsonic on big aircraft but no Trident time. I was on TriStars, though. I only mentioned it because you've repeatedly mentioned Dave Webb, who is a lovely old chap but by no means the only ground instructor who has flown supersonic. GTS are a very well respected school, you are right, and they partcularly specialise in one to one tuition, CPL and IR courses.

[GuinnessQueen]

Phillip Aerodynamics

Quote

I get bored of repeating myself but please don´t forget about www.gtserv.co.uk these chaps are of the old school and will make you understand the fundamentals first before adding their experience to questionable feedback.

Unquote

Phillip, No need to get bored of repeating yourself. Just remember there are a lot of people on this forum who have a lot of money to spend. Additionally there are also a lot of us who have been through the process are are frequently asked to recommend courses.

As to your description of gaining the fundamentals before using questionable feedback...I agree, but then again that is generally my experience of distance learning with another school, not specific to GTS it seems.

I think this forum is great for people who are researching where to spend their dosh, but I know I found it off-putting when cheap-shots at other schools are used. If your product is quality, market that, rather than looking for fault in other products.

Apologies for the rant, back to topic!

[Philip Aerodynamics]

quote; If your product is quality, market that, rather than looking for fault in other products.
Not sure where you heading with this GQ, I have no relationship with the school except being an ex student. The End

[GuinnessQueen]

Phillip,

Absolutley fair enough. I apologise , re-reading my post it did all sound a like a personal attack - not intended.

The decisions of where to spend your hard-earned cash are difficult to make (for all stages of the modular course). I think personal feedback was the deciding factor for me, as well as visits and a little thought of what options best suited my circumstances.

Cheers

GQ

[Tallbloke]

The point is that no-one can offer a definitive answer to the question. Who here has succesfully completed the groundschool element at 2 or more schools? Without this experience all opinions are subjective and it is up to the reader to make up their own mind.

Is there a reason GTS choose not to be seen on pprune?

[Send Clowns]

Tallbloke

I can't speak for them, although I have just come over from GTS and know them fairly well, but I suspect that they are jsut too busy! They are a small school, and work hard to be a success anyway.

Crispy

:O Thanks for the kind comments! Was extemely pleased when you had them all inthe bag.

[VC10L1011]

Have you looked at London Metro Uni?

I've just finshed my ATPL's there and gained all 14 exams first time with an average of 90%. Top quality tuition and delivery of material makes LMU a great choice for your ATPL's!!!

Snuggsy