ATPL Ground School UK

[cargodoor]

My apologies in advance, but I am looking for advice on the options I have with regards to doing the JAA ATPL ground school in the UK. I'm sure there are loads of threads and links, but I have been told that BristolGS is good. I'm sure there are other places I should look at too, just hoping someone has more info for me, if not personal experiences.

Thanks a million.

CD:ok:

[cirruscrystal]

If you look only on this page and next you will see 2 threads with lots about ATPL studies.

Bristol are the best in the world as far as i am concerned and i would not muck about going anywhere else. Notes, progress tests, online telephone tuition and crammer course are all top class. I have yet to meet anybody who was not completly happy with their experience there :ok:

[sussexlad]

I'd recommend Bristol groundschool to. You do need an element of self-discipline to distance study but the study material is superb and the support service is first class. The brush up courses are hard work but really pull you upto standard.

There's a reason other schools use Bristol's feedback and notes.

Best of luck :ok:

[mlee]

Bristol GS without a doubt!!:ok:

[captain_rossco]

Go and check them out, or at least spend some time on the phone to them.
That said, from having spoken to Alex W al BGS and a matey of mine on the course at the moment, the place looks very very good. I caught a glimpse of the notes at the flyer show and they looked very very good indeed.
The oxford notes are also of a very good standard.

Regards

CR:ok:

[S5-Vinc]

Bristol GS without a doubt!!:ok:



But if you pass your ATPL there, then you are unable to go for further training (CPL) to Spain where is all cheaper, right?
Probably also unable to go to Florida due "Issue of the State" restrictions?

CPL only in the UK then...

[cargodoor]

Thanks fo the replies. I have been to the offices and looked around, very impressive and with your replies its more than likely the place I will go. As you say there is no pont in messing around. It will be for ATPL so I won't need to go to Spain for cheaper flying rates. I believe I will need to do about 25 hours or so and a flight test as a conversion on my current licence.

Thanks again.

CD

[Simon150]

Just finished last module with BGS - they are the best. Can't remember my Module 1 mark but with their help (and on-line question bank) managed 98% average in Mod 2.

BGS - if your reading this thanks a million. Your the best (cue pompoms)

Simon

[Topcat11]

Bristol! Without a doubt!

I looked into a few a couple of years ago when I tried it..... London Met, Bristol, Oxford, Bournemouth, Cranfield. I went for London Met as it was nearest - bad choice! Listen to everyone who has replied to you, Bristol is the absolute best. Also, even the other training venues advise to use Bristol feedback!

Just one thing, it's intense, so you need alot of drive and commitment. Give it ago, it's worth! Good luck!

[r22-male]

have a look at GTS in bournmouth,excellent ground school, give rodger a call.cant praise them high enough

[Lima288]

Reading all the comments, Bristol are getting great feedback, and no doubt deservedly - their online products are superb also.
If after doing your ground studies you intend to go on to flying training also, its worth looking at schools that can do that too. BCFT (Bournemouth) are certainly worth a look, as their ground studies training is first class, and its a great environment and location. I'm yet to start the flying training with them, so can only comment on the ground side just now, but other students are very happy so far with the flying training also.
Let us all know how you get on!!!

[will fly for food 06]

I can also say that i am impressed with the setup at BCFT. If you are looking at a residential rather than distance learning you should have a look. If distance learning is what you would prefer then bristol is excellent.

[phillpot]

I agree with Will Fly For Food, just finished at BCFT and on the whole I was very impresssed.

[gmac1977]

check out Cranfield aviation (CATS) in bedfordshire

£999 for the distance learning package including groundschool and JAA question banks.
Hard copy maunuals cost an extra £500 but i have found the CATS online software more than adequate. Its half the price of bristol so you can buy some extra flight hours/ buy a new laptop/treat the girlfriend!!

Look after your money! there is no need to pay more than you have to!

check out the free trial

www.cranfieldaviation.com/go/pprune (http://www.cranfieldaviation.com/go/pprune)

bye for now:)

[flybyday]

gmac,

I can't get my head around doing the ATPL theory using just an online resource. Surely there have been times post-ATPL theory that you needed to refer back to some hard copy manuals? If you paid for these then your total outlay for CATS was much nearer the BGS course cost (£1500 CATS; £2100 for BGS).

So is it worth shelling out an extra £600 for BGS? I wouldn't hesitate if I thought it worthwhile but what stumps me at the moment is the requirement to attend the 2x2 week residential courses. I much prefer the CATS 3x1 week residential requirement.

Oh well - further deliberation required.

[Turbine King]

There is not just one thing that makes CATS a top school, the whole atmosphere there is driven to assist the learning process.

At first site it seems that you've got Mike Burton and Stuart Smith in pole position but behind this is high quality colour study guides, the online questions, a well thought-out 3 stage course, ample time to study and now the online study guides.

I visit the school regularly and am always well received and being gently pushed along.

I'm on the online course and do have hand-me-down CATS study guides.
This does save money. Money which I burn as AVGAS :) GMAC

whoops gotta go - pizza arrived!

[wbryce]

Im at EPTA just now and its top class old fashioned instruction!! no fancy CBTs or pop out pictures im afraid! in all seriousness, you can't go wrong with any of the providers mentioned here. I closely scrutinized all my options and chose EPTA, my main reasons where based on reputation, past students, instructors reputation and the 3 module approach which I favored.

I'm 12 weeks into the course and all expectations have been exceeded. Exam results next week for the first module so we'ill see how well I learned all this gobbledegook-pie-r-squared.