JAA ATPL Study!

[paton400]

Hi, how long should it take the average person to study all 14 ATPL manuals and be exam ready?

It seems a lot to read and take in!

[Dick_Dasterdly]

6 months, maybe a little more...

[paton400]

Is that all?

Do you need to be up to scratch with maths and physics or is it just a case of reading and learning?

[Nozwaldo]

You should follow the programmed course of study with your training provider. I took 13 months distance learning at about 15hrs/week study and then revision time prior to exams. The course should be 650 hours study time (at least). There is a time limit of 18 months from completion of first series of exams to complete all 14. The amount of time you take should suit your own study timetable and everyone is different so don't worry about the "average person".

[EK4457]

Yeah, about 6 months all in if you're doing it full time. It took me 10 months whilst working full time not particularly breaking my balls.

At some point the penny will drop and you will realise that most of the expensive material you have purchased is not required. As mentioned on previous threads, it's a game. If you follow the rules and the well trodden path it becomes fairly strainght forward. Don't be put off by the big books - their bark is much worse than their bite.

I'd estimate around 60% of the books are surplus to requirements. The only difficult part is finding out which parts you need and which you don't. That's where subscription to a certain internet database becomes priceless.....

[Obs cop]

Got to concur with the last post.

Mine took 10 1/2 months from opening the first book to sitting my final exams. It can be done much quicker, but I would suggest that it would need to be full time study, whereas my study time was split with 40 hours per week full time employment, working shifts and a young family.

As a slight calming of the nerves, some of the subjects have extensive overlaps, particularly areas like radio nav and instruments, so this means there is slightly less to learn than first appears (admitedly only about 10%).

Regards,
Obs

[Anonymus6]

I got my books from bristol 15 may 2008, finnished 4 december 2008, with all the 14 exams. I also had to wait 1 month extra because there were no sits for the brush up course at bristol. I would say, 6 months would be possible full time.

[LH2]

how long should it take the average person to study all 14 ATPL manuals and be exam ready?

It depends entirely on your individual circumstances. Prior qualifications, experience, familiarity with any of the subjects being dealt with, type and schedule of your current job, general stability in your personal affairs (family, health, finances), etc., etc. One thing I do not personally believe counts for much (within reason) is intellectual ability.

All the stuff is high-school level, no maths a 14 year old could not do, and as for the physics, if you are vaguely familiar with the idea of the Earth being round and have heard of something called gravity (what goes up comes down, bit like the stock market) you should be allright.

They can be done in four months and without excessive sweating while holding a full time job but that doesn't mean that you should plan on getting it over with within four months unless you honestly think that's a realistic possibility in your own current situation, and/or you have nothing to lose by trying :ok:

Those exams are a pain in the arse, but take your time if you feel you need it. Life's not that short.

[Grass strip basher]

14 months distance learning whilst holding down a full time job (60-70hrs a week in the day job).... amazed it took some people 10 months full-time... must have had a great social life! (I had none... :sad:)

[Whirlygig]

They can be done in four months and without excessive sweating while holding a full time jobReally? Let's say there are 18 weeks in that four months with 45 hours a week being used up for work (including commute) and that you sleep for 6 hours a night. The ATPL course should be 650 hours (not including sitting the actual exams), therefore that leaves you a little over 6 hours a day for everything else including washing, cooking, cleaning. That also assumes a very generous employer who would allow you the time-off required for the brush-up courses and exams in such a short period.

Let's be realistic; six months full-time study should be do-able and 12 months with a full-time job is reasonable. I took 9 months working part-time!

Cheers

Whirls

[Andy_20]

Currently undergoing ATPL studies at the moment (first half). Got 4 weeks left on the computer program from bristol til its finished, which will probably take around 2 weeks todo with a full time job aswel. My time frame is 12 months all in hopefully.. i dont feel there is any rush to finish them quickly, with the current climate still looming over the avaiation industry, as once these exams are done the clock begins in which all the courses have to be completed.
Regards

[LH2]

Really?

Yes, really. :rolleyes:

[eikido]

I'm just wondering how you people memorize 14 books :)

Eikido

[EK4457]

Read the thread! You dont. You memorise a few thousand questions and answers. Most of the books are not required.

[Riz0]

What do you guys think of this school, check it out

private pilot, learn to fly with Orlando Flight Training (http://www.flyoft.com/pro_pilot_course.php)

The can issue a JAA license and are the first I have found in the US.

obviously alot cheaper than the UK schools

any thoughts?

Thanks

[PAPI-74]

Be very careful with overseas schools.
You can be put to the back of the queue and loose your money. By all means hour build, but why not fly in the UK and goto France, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Belgium etc... It will look much better in your logbook...
Pay the extra and go to a recommended school. Visit at least 3-4 and see where you feel is the best environment for you. I hated 2 and settles on the 3rd straight away. First time passes .... and the training was good enough to fly and pass a sim check, not just momorize a route or two.

[INNflight]

if you are vaguely familiar with the idea of the Earth being round and have heard of something called gravity

Sounds interesting, can you elaborate on that? :E

--

I know a guy who did all 14 within 3 months, full time. He had his CPL ME IR already tho, so it's not like he didn't study the individual things before.

Just take your time and study as fast / slowly as you think - there's no jobs anyways :ouch:

[Whirlygig]

Yes, really
Wow - well, that's amazing if that's what you did. Please explain how you managed to find the time? I would love to know how!

Cheers

Whirls

[LH2]

Whirls,

yes, that's what I did, just as others managed to do it in the same or even less time (some examples given above). But this is immaterial because, as I said on my previous post, everyone's personal situation is different and some people will naturally be in a better position than others to achieve certain things. Which is of course why one should not try to gauge themselves against others they know nothing about.

If curious about the specifics, ask your friend P.A. ;)

INNflight,
Sounds interesting, can you elaborate on that?

No, sorry. Forgot all about it with my 14th exam :p