Switching from ATPL In-house to Distance Learning

[ju5hea1]

Hi,

I am wondering if it is possible to switch from in-house ATPL learning program to distance learning. I have already completed 8 out of the 14 ATPL Ground School subjects.

If you have any references you could quote I would be greatful. ;)

Thanks!

[EpsilonVaz]

I am also interested to know the answer to this question. Are you allowed to switch?

I was told that there are regulations that forbid changing from in-house to distance learning during the 14 ATPL Subjects.

Regards,

EpsilonVaz

[pilot-320]

I am interested to know the regulations!!!

[Keith.Williams.]

There is no regulation (in the UK) to prevent you switching from residential to DL or from DL to residential. Such changes are not at all uncommon in the UK. But it is quite possible that authorities in other countries will have a different view. The best thing to do is to talk to your local equivalent of the CAA.

In the UK all you need to do is to find a suitable school and talk to the CGI. If he is any good at his job he will talk to the CAA and make all of the arrangements for you. Part of the process will involve your new school getting a copy of your training records from your old school.

The biggest problem is that the module structure in your new school is unlikely to the same as that in your old school. But this is not an insurmountable problem.

Finally you will probably not get a refund from your old school, so the overall costs will be higher.

[pilot-320]

Thank you very much Keith for your very informative answer!!:ok:

[ju5hea1]

I have been told by the directors of my FTO that I am not allowed to switch from a full time in-house course to DL without an approval from the HCAA (Greece).

They informed me that the HCAA has given approval to switch on certain subjects and certain students.

I was told by the director that that this information is given in the JAR-FCL Paragraph 1.065 Section B.

This sounds a bit odd to me :confused: If anyone could clarify I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks

[nmcpilot]

There is nothing stopping you from switching from in the classroom to distance learning. Speaking from expierience because this is exactly what I did I do not reccomend it. For me it was due to personal reasons me not able to be with family enough etc, it was a bit of a tough time. I went to London Metropolitan to do the in house training and I was commuting to London everyday which meant 6am trains and late nights home with hardly anytime to myself, it wasn't very nice so decided to switch to distance learning thinking it would give me the best of both worlds. However, I found that it really wasnt worth it, without being able to communicate with other people with questions. being able to make friends and help each other out etc studying alone became alot harder, yes true I did have a tutor I could phone, but it wasn't quite the same as being able to ask a teacher, or even someone sitting next to you who understands just a bit better than you do.

I know its difficult, if you have work or family commitments but I am going back to residential training to finish off this course, I have decided this has to come before family and anything for me right now, it is my future and I am going to have to move away from family for a few months in order to complete it, but hey it is only 6months.

In short I believe that you will have a far greater knowledge about the subjects if you are around likeminded people who are there for the same reason you are. You have to remember its not about passing the exams although thats the target at the end of the day they are trying to make you better pilots and I don't reccomend doing it by yourself.

Well just my thoughts...

[BlueRobin]

JAR 1.065 section B states

"(b) In circumstances agreed by both
Authorities, an applicant who has commenced
training under the responsibility of one Authority
may be permitted to complete the requirements
under the responsibility of the other Authority.
The agreement shall allow for:
(1) theoretical knowledge training and
examinations;
(2) medical examination and assessment;
(3) flight training and testing,
The Authorities shall agree the ‘State of licence
issue’."

So are you intending to switch learning to another state?