EASA ATPL distance theory choice?

[flyerm8]

Hi,

I'm looking at converting my Australian CPL to EASA, and as a result need to do an ATPL theory course by distance.

Many flight schools seem to offer their own tuition, but using one of the following products:

Bristol GS
CATS
PadPilot

Any recommendations from anyone who has done one of these by distance?

Secondly I wonder if anyone can help with this puzzle... Global Aviation in Greece (can't post URL) advertise their course as using Bristol but with a minimum of 80 hours, whereas going with Bristol directly is a minimum of 650 hours, according to their website... that's obviously a significant difference, why might that so? Is it the same content?

Thanks

[rudestuff]

Choose the cheapest one. You'll be teaching yourself using bits from all of them (Question banks etc) but what you're really paying for is a stamp and a signature.

[TogaToFLs]

Anyone got any recent feedback on ASG in Ireland? (They use PadPilot)

I have got to say I was on the verge of signing up to BGS but last night I attended a seminar organised by the Airline Pilot Club and I really got a good vibe from them.

As a bonus, the revision weeks are Thursday to Sunday, which sounds a lot better than having to take 3 weeks off from work. Plus most of their classes are run after business hours, which suits me great.

Have searched before for updated feedback on PadPilot but can't find much since 2019, if anyone can elaborate that would be great.

[paco]

Of those three? BGS

[Hawkers]

@flyerm8 , i' rather say avoid them in GR .. to many bad experiences... but It exist another distance learning system for ATPL Theory with more afordable prices and very good reviews from real students... My friends have done this , researching but on final all of them have chose to do this in Hungary. It exist EASA approved ATO and years of experience ... If you want i can send you private msg ,or simply i can write here their webpage easy-pilot.com .
Check them ,if you want i can get some info from friends if you are interested ...

[NovemberCharlie92]

I am also in the works of converting my Australian CPL to EASA. I cant speak as to schools at the moment but I have been using BGS for the online theory, and combining their question bank with ATPLQuestions question bank for the exam prep. So far I can recommend it highly. Would be interested in your experience with choosing a school. Good luck!

[Hawkers]

I hear for BGS are good for UK CAA ,but not so much in EU country's .. Rather students use AvEx in combination with Atplquestions... Does anyone from experience Know's something more ? :)

[mattpilot]

I used BGS and AvEx.

BGS because its 100% online (even the mandatory classroom) and had a good price point. Also tthe mandatory revision classes are on a weekly rotation so you really never have to wait really and can go at your own pace. I didn't buy any manuals or anything in addition to the digital online course - didn't feel i need it as i had a CFI background.

Then i did all the AvEx questions. I did notice that about 5-10% of the questions on AvEx cover material that wasn't covered by BGS' online course. I dont know why.. maybe its in their printed manuals you can buy. Sorry i have no concrete example - its just my perceived observation.
AvEx is good. I love the comment section about it because it really does often give good tips and helps to understand some things, but AvEx does once in a while get it 'wrong' (thats where the comments help too). Keep hearing atplq is the best... i dont know anything about it, but BGS & AvEx prepared me well enough - i got a 90% average.

[Hawkers]

If it's not a secret, in which country you have been for ATPL Theory examination? :O About AvEx i notice there's some questions which they repeat ,vice versa wording question-answer, explanations are good but sometime unnecessarily long . As my friends told me from experience , atplquestions database is very good , sometime explanations are a bit "dry' but it's a lot easier for exams... Since you will never use most of the things in real life , this is more than good ;)

[mattpilot]

Me? Austrocontrol