CAE Oxford vs. Bristol GS

[Alexey.Kozlov]

Hello,

I have enrolled to CAE Oxford Aviation Academy few years back and due to family issues haven't finished my distance learning yet (only ground school in CAE OAA). I made some hours recently renewing my SEP and spoke to my instructor and asked for some advise on the ground school studies, instructor suggested me to shift to Bristol. He explained that "Oxford is not that school like it was before" - does anyone have reasonable explanation what exactly happened to Oxford, so some people consider it "not like before"? My instructor was not the first person telling me this.

And question:
Why Bristol is better than Oxford, and is it really good comparing to CAE OAA? Is it worth it? I was always consider OAA as some kind of a reputable training provider with a Name, but what about Bristol?

Thanks in advance.

[pilotjimbo]

Bristol.GS is an ATPL theory provider only, whereas OAA provide the whole ab-intio PPL through to MCC/JOC training.

Whilst Oxford may not be 'as good as they used to be' (probably because the price increase and value of the pound to dollar), they're still placing many cadets into multiple airlines across Europe.

OAA's ATPL material versus BGS will ultimately come down to personal preference.
I'm studying using BGS ATM and I'm very happy. I have looked at OAA's and whilst the content is good, there seems to be a lot of surplus detail that doesn't need to be studied.

However, if you have all the ATPL manuals from Oxford, pick up where you left off and crack on.

[Gordon Bennet]

Oxford were bought out by CAE who got rid of most of the people who made it good and increased the number of students.

But neither are the only game in town....

[mftx7jrn]

I used Bristol.gs and CAPT online for my ATPL studies and found them both to be excellent providers.

[WASALOADIE]

I have worked as a TKI for a school that used Bristol books etc and also worked for CAE Oxford more recently.

It is down to personal choice really, both sets of groundschool notes are good as are both question banks.

Because Oxford have an established full time groundschool and as you have already started with them, I would be inclined to stick with them if I were you.

[Alexey.Kozlov]

pilotjimbo

Not sure if GBP to USD value is a major factor in choosing GS here, both OAA and BGS study materials and program costs similar. The only difference is BGS can be paid in parts (as per each Module I guess?), while OAA should be paid at once for all study books and than for each 2 weeks Brush Up.

I agree with extra information that Oxford put in their books (sometimes this might be misleading), but most people I know (including those who studied in BGS) use Oxford books for revision

[Alexey.Kozlov]

WASALOADIE

Thanks for your advice. Most probably I will carry on with OAA. I see that there are basically no difference either use OAA or BGS for ATPL studies, it is just a matter of personal and study preferences. However, I checked the forum and surprised nobody asked similar question yet. Also, I haven't seen negative reviews on BGS (that somebody is not happy about them or something similar - all cadets say as one that BGS is really good), while I have seen some negative opinions about OAA.

For me, personally, I dislike how OAA organise the ATPL distance learning course (divide 14 subjects into two phases while BGS have 3 modules - BGS approach is more rational in my opinion), BGS have Accelerator Weekend which might be really helpful (there is no such thing in OAA).

[pilotjimbo]

There is nothing to say you can't study the ATPL with OAA, but pay for BGS Question Bank and attend their accelerator weekends/revision weeks

[Joanaragones]

Hey guys,

I know this question is already posted but I just wanna ask again to get some more opinions because I'm a little lost and I don't wanna make a mistake wjith this. I am from Spain but working in England, I've just got the FAA Private Pilot and and wanna carry on with the ATPL distance learning course.

The question is simple, CAE Oxford or Bristol GS? I have been checking both of them and your last comments, in regards Bristol GS, the distance learning plan looks pretty well, even more than Oxford, but Oxford is an important known school but I don't think it gonna impair a lot. I have sent a lot of e-mail to Oxford and to be honest they answer days after or directly don't reply. In Bristol GS they are really nice and explaining everything in detail. Actually at the end, the exams are the same but I wanna make a good choose

Without taking very much this into account, I would like some opinion from you.

[qraphoo]

Oxford contains too much info
and Bristol sometimes doesn't contain enough but are easier to understand
use both and get the best out of them

[WASALOADIE]

I have taught as a TKI, using both schools courseware. The are IMHO as good as each other. Both school offer consolidation phases. Most of the instructors on both school come from similar backgrounds (Mainly ex-RAF aircrew). Both schools are extremely professional which is why they are so highly regarded. Personal preference really.

[banditb6]

I am studying with Bristol but also bought a copy of the Oxford manuals from eBay, they are quite in depth and didn't see the point in buying the Bristol manuals if I already have all the information on the I pad. The other benefit is that sometimes a certain subject explained differently helps me to understand things more clearly.

I also tried contacting Oxford whilst choosing providers and they couldn't be less interested in me as a Modular student, whereas Bristol was straight back with any queries I had and have been since I started studying with them, its no accident they are so highly regarded. Also, I think the fact that your CV may say you "did your ATPL theory with Oxford" will make little to no difference.