ATPL theory

[Put1992]

Hello.
I was just curious about how hard the full time theory really is. i feel when i do my ATPL i will benefit more from the full time theory to prevent distractions, but if the learning is done part time, a job can be done part time at the same time. just wondering if there were any comparisons in the real world to how tough th learning is

thanks

[n90bar]

For me, and I'm sure for most - the ground school part (atpl theory) is the most "intense". I found that each night after 6 hours of lessons I would need to do 3 hours or so of revision and perhaps 4/5 hours, maybe more each weekend. As the exam's approach (we did 2 sittings each of 7 exams) then this workload increases more. Ground school can be hard - and for me I doubt that by doing it Modular or through distance learning I could have kept the focus on the workload. It was a good feeling to know that I wasnt in the boat alone - there were 14 others on my course and we were all going through the same! There are plenty of threads on this forum that go into the Modular V Integrated debate - I think each person's circumstances differ and I won't argue that Integrated is better beacuse I havent went the modular route - Integrated was right for my circumstances.
It does get easier - now that I have started the flying I have much more time to relax and socialise. Yes we fly 5 or so days a week but there isnt the constant battle with revision and textbooks!!
If I can answer any other q's you have, feel free to PM me.

[phillpot]

I tried distance learning and it didnt work for me so did it full time instead 5 months in, 7 exams sat and passed next 7 in four weeks time and im knackered its hard work mate!!!
The course is very intense and the time flies by after a full day you will spend several hours a night on worksheets ,reading up or hammering feedback questions, in reality you wipe out six months of your life but dont get me wrong I am enjoying it and the more work you put in the better your results are and hopefully you only have to go through it once.
You can help yourself before you start the course by making sure your maths is up to scratch especially trig and that you know how to use a scientific calculator also reading up on physics would be good, im sure you know what subjects there are to take but heres a list-

Electrics
Principles of flight
Air law
Ops procedures
Meteorology
Gas turbine engines
Piston engines
Flight planning
Gen nav
Human perfomance and limitations
Systems(air frames hydraulics pneumatics etc)
Mass and balance
Performance
Rnav (radio therory and radio aids)
IFR comms
VFR comms
Instruments.

Some of these you cant read up on in advance but some of them you can which would help relieve the work load when you start . My only other advice is when you do start dont under estimate the work load get your head down and work hard. Enjoy :O

[Jaguar Pilot]

Put1992:

It has been suggested by phillpot that there are 17 subjects.

There are 14 for the ATPL.

Ask a professional, like me. PM me if you wish - if not ask the advice of any approved service provider.
Do not look for professional advice here!

JP

[Whirlygig]

The academic equivalance of ATPL exams was discussed here

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=264886&highlight=academic&page=6

Put1992, I'm not quite sure what you mean by "the real world". If you are planning on doing your ATPLs immediately after school, then full-time might be a good idea as I think you will find it tough to have to adjust to working for a living (rather than being at school) and study in the evenings. However, you may need the moeny!

Do not look for professional advice here!
Eh? I would have thought that the best people to answer a question like, "how hard is it to study and work at the same time" are those people who are actually doing it rather than someone who may have done it a while ago and forgotten what it's like!

Whilst there can be spurrious advice and information given on these pages, a sweeping statement like yours above is not valid. I could easily argue that there are 13 exams for ATPL for example! There are plenty of "professionals" here; most don't need to advertise it!

Cheers

Whirls

[seneca86]

hey..
hope all is well..Im gonna be starting ground school for my JAA ATPL .Was relli intense on how deep the studies are...iv done my ppl with flight safety...but im shifting to uk for certain reasons.Im doing the integrated course with cabair.Also if you couls tell me some good study guides for the exams.

thanks m8..

Regards.

seneca86

[A330 Dreamer]

I'm doing my atpls with Bristol - cant speak highly enough of them.

I am currently working full time on rotating shifts then doing the studying in my free time so if you study full time you shouldnt have a problem.

Its all down to determination and ask yourself Do I really want this? because if u do, be prepared to put the hours in and you'll get what you want from the course.

Its not impossible and its not simple, there is a lot of content to the course but its also enjoyable.

Best of luck

[Put1992]

Hi everyone, thanks for the replies.
When i said "the real world" i was refering to for example, A-level studies etc.
and another thing, does anyone have any reccomendations as to which schools are best for modular. because i thought that Oxford would be great for where, but im really interested in Cabair now,

Thanks

Matthew

[trautsfly]

New groundschool going through approvals at sheffield city airport,
a mate of mine is waiting to start with them:D

[LFS]

Its often hard to get an objective view on which ground school is best as 99% of people will only have the experience of one.

Personally I did Bristol distance learning and they were fantastic, they have been doing the course for a long time now and really know what they are doing. Bristol's notes were excellent and their feedback second to none. I understand people from other schools are recommended to sign up for bristol's online question bank. Have seen oxford's notes and they were very impressive as well. They are both schools that have been teaching the courses for a long while and seem to know what they are doing and what is required for the exams.

As to DL or full time it is often a tough call and really varies from person to person. If you can be disciplined and put the effort in whilst also working then DL should be managable but it can seem like an uphill struggle at times.

[trautsfly]

Oxfords Full time £4200 + accomm = approx 8K*
nearest north from Ox is Glasgow?
these new guys are doing it for £3495, special i think is £2995 for the first course.
If you live up in the North makes sense not to have to pay £140 per week accommodation

[LFS]

Put1992 as your are in Birmingham, Atlantic at Coventry might be worth looking at. I understand their notes are produced in collaberation with Jepps and from what i hear are pretty good.