View Full Version : BristolGS reviews request
Concorde88
6th Jul 2023, 15:45
Anyone here studied/study at Bristol Groundschool? Can I have some reviews?
How are the revision classes? How is the interaction? How is the KSA assessed?
What about the platform? The materials are good? What about the database (especially when compared to Aviation Exam / Padpilot?
Every information that you can give me will be extremely valuable.
redsnail
6th Jul 2023, 18:53
When my husband studied there in 2002, he said it was the best ground school ATPL course he's ever done.
You might think, how would he know? Well, he was coming from Australia with a CASA ATPL, time on the B737 and he was a former ATPL and flight instructor.
Given Alex still runs the place, I'd say the quality is still there.
Speed_Trim_Fail
6th Jul 2023, 19:05
When my husband studied there in 2002, he said it was the best ground school ATPL course he's ever done.
You might think, how would he know? Well, he was coming from Australia with a CASA ATPL, time on the B737 and he was a former ATPL and flight instructor.
Given Alex still runs the place, I'd say the quality is still there.
I’ll echo this, BGS is the gold standard.
Beaker_
6th Jul 2023, 21:13
Totally recommended. I think you'll struggle to find better.
janrein
6th Jul 2023, 22:22
I was happy with the computer-based course and the printed study material. The revision courses at BGS in Cheddar, Somerset, were superb. I had no time to use their On-Line Question Data Base, so no first-hand information, but heard only good reports about it, like students at other ATPL Theory Schools using the BGS OQDB in parallel to whatever they were doing elsewhere. That was 15 years ago and I have not heard of a better option since.
NovemberCharlie92
7th Jul 2023, 05:15
Currently using the online platform for ATPL(A) study. I can only compare to CASA CPL theory but so far it has been an excellent experience.
The IPad app is easy to use and the theory content so far has prepared me very well for the exams (in combination with question banks). The BGS theory bank is obviously more UK centric so I have been also using ATPLQ which very closely aligns with EASA exams.
I have attended the revision week online as I work in a European country and can not attend in person. It was well set up and I didn’t feel disadvantaged for not being there in the room. You need to have completed the theory for the module before the revision week and as such they are not about teaching the content but rather highlighting some important areas for the exam and giving useful tips and practice questions to prepare you.
Overall I can recommend them, especially if you are a distance learner.
Concorde88
7th Jul 2023, 06:12
How is the Bristol questions database? How does it compare to Aviation Exam or PadPilot databases?
How is the KSA done? Is it done as "theory modules" on their platform, or they do oral exercises during the classes?
hobbit1983
7th Jul 2023, 11:20
How is the Bristol questions database? How does it compare to Aviation Exam or PadPilot databases?
How is the KSA done? Is it done as "theory modules" on their platform, or they do oral exercises during the classes?
No idea. But you won't get better. BristolGS is very good.
(what's a KSA?)
KSA stands for Knowledge, Skills & Attitude. It's a half assed idea that the schools certify that you are "fit to be a pilot", whatever that means, so whenever you reach your airline you are allegedly warm and fuzzy, but it opens up a whole legal minefield, especially as some schools don't have staff qualified for such assessments. Luckily, I'm a CRMI..
I've never agreed with it, it's an unnecessary burden on a small school and should be done by the airlines anyway (if they want particular candidates, they should select them). There was great hilarity at the KSA meeting in Koln when I said that we teach our pilots to be anti-authority :) Our KSA assessment is done over the consolidation periods, together with timely paperwork.
To answer the OP, BGS is one of the best choices.
Concorde88
7th Jul 2023, 13:02
Thank you very much for your answers. Really appreciated it.
KSA stands for Knowledge, Skills & Attitude. It's a half assed idea that the schools certify that you are "fit to be a pilot", whatever that means, so whenever you reach your airline you are allegedly warm and fuzzy, but it opens up a whole legal minefield, especially as some schools don't have staff qualified for such assessments. Luckily, I'm a CRMI..
I've never agreed with it, it's an unnecessary burden on a small school and should be done by the airlines anyway (if they want particular candidates, they should select them). There was great hilarity at the KSA meeting in Koln when I said that we teach our pilots to be anti-authority :) Our KSA assessment is done over the consolidation periods, together with timely paperwork.
To answer the OP, BGS is one of the best choices.
Can you give me some examples of how you test this during periods of consolidation? You do exercises"? If yes, what kind of exercises?
My main concern is the fact that while I consider myself a fluent English speaker, I am not a native speaker and I don't speak it regularly (I listen, write and read every day, but I rarely speak it). So if I'm being evaluated in a group full of native speakers (this will naturally set the standard) it might be a "problem".
hobbit1983
7th Jul 2023, 13:04
Thanks Paco :ok: Another TLA...
clarkeysntfc
7th Jul 2023, 15:30
Can’t go wrong with BGS.
hobbit1983
9th Jul 2023, 10:11
Thank you very much for your answers. Really appreciated it.
Can you give me some examples of how you test this during periods of consolidation? You do exercises"? If yes, what kind of exercises?
My main concern is the fact that while I consider myself a fluent English speaker, I am not a native speaker and I don't speak it regularly (I listen, write and read every day, but I rarely speak it). So if I'm being evaluated in a group full of native speakers (this will naturally set the standard) it might be a "problem".
Why don't you ask Bristol GS themselves?
The email for their Training Advisor: info (at) bristol.gs
There's a telephone number here too:
New Training Enquiries - Bristol Groundschool (https://www.bristol.gs/contact-us/student-training-enquiries/)
mftx7jrn
11th Jul 2023, 15:00
BGS is one of the very best. Their material is appropriate, to the point and well presented. Their QB is market-leading. If you are (H), then consider paco’s set-up at White Waltham, although I believe they do (A) courses these days too. Again, top notch courses, well delivered from seasoned pro’s. Good luck, it’s a ball!
Contact Approach
12th Jul 2023, 09:21
It’s absolutely spot on.
michalispapadakis
18th Jul 2023, 16:55
hey, im currently studying at BGS. Overall im very happy and if time went back i would still choose them. The live webinars are top of the line and i also found the webinar library of significant use.ATPdigital is great although sometimes it has a few bugs which might cause some slight frustration of the moment but its 100% not a deal breaker,the lessons are written in a very nice way and it feels more like as if an instructor is explaining you the theory rather than reading an academic book. I did my revision weeks so far online and the whole process was seamless.Most importantly the people of BGS are all very helpful and accomodating, in conclusion the way BGS operates is absolutely stellar,when it comes to QBs most of my peers and i use ATPLQ as our main database and BGS as the secondary(secondary meaning we all do the 200 newest added questions on the subject). its important to study the books beforehand so you can deal with novel questions in your exams.And last but not least remember that in a distance learning course 90% of the work is done by you,so dont expect to be spoonfed the theory, the revision weeks/webinars are the cherry on top of the cake.
Concorde88
24th Jul 2023, 23:30
hey, im currently studying at BGS. Overall im very happy and if time went back i would still choose them. The live webinars are top of the line and i also found the webinar library of significant use.ATPdigital is great although sometimes it has a few bugs which might cause some slight frustration of the moment but its 100% not a deal breaker,the lessons are written in a very nice way and it feels more like as if an instructor is explaining you the theory rather than reading an academic book. I did my revision weeks so far online and the whole process was seamless.Most importantly the people of BGS are all very helpful and accomodating, in conclusion the way BGS operates is absolutely stellar,when it comes to QBs most of my peers and i use ATPLQ as our main database and BGS as the secondary(secondary meaning we all do the 200 newest added questions on the subject). its important to study the books beforehand so you can deal with novel questions in your exams.And last but not least remember that in a distance learning course 90% of the work is done by you,so dont expect to be spoonfed the theory, the revision weeks/webinars are the cherry on top of the cake.
Hey, really appreciated the answer, thank you!
Joined BGS a few days ago and so far so good.
Are the Revision Weeks similar to the Webinars (when it comes to interaction, etc.)? How many hours a day?
michalispapadakis
1st Aug 2023, 13:43
so there are 3 revision weeks each taking place after finishing your module 1-2-3 respectiely.They are similar but way more fast paced and require you to have knowledge of the topics. I think they last more or less 7 hrs per day from monday-friday.They are interactive meaning you can ask questions as you go.
Lew747
1st Aug 2023, 20:52
Enjoyed my stint studying with Bristol and thoroughly enjoyed the brush up classes. Ok this was 10 years ago when they were at Cheddar, but I’ve only ever heard good things.
Contact Approach
1st Aug 2023, 22:32
You won't find a better course in Europe.
FuturePilot_123
4th Feb 2024, 19:44
Hi guys,
I’m at the final hurdle - studying mod 3. Thoroughly enjoyed my time at BGS and I highly recommend the in class revision weeks!
I’ve noticed a summative assessment in the mod 3 material under the topic KSA. Does anyone have any info on this? What’s the summative assessment?
Many thanks.
janrein
5th Feb 2024, 00:49
Enjoyed my stint studying with Bristol and thoroughly enjoyed the brush up classes. Ok this was 10 years ago when they were at Cheddar, but I’ve only ever heard good things.
Exactly what I would say, except that that was 16 years ago
jr
The goal of formative assessment is to monitor student learning to provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to improve their teaching and by students to improve their learning.
Formative assessments are generally low stakes, which means that they have low or no point value. We cover it by questioning during the lectures given during consolidation.
The goal of summative assessment is to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit by comparing it against some standard or benchmark. Such assessments are often high stakes, with a high point value.
We cover that requirement by progress tests and mock exams.
FuturePilot_123
5th Feb 2024, 08:27
The goal of formative assessment is to monitor student learning to provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to improve their teaching and by students to improve their learning.
Formative assessments are generally low stakes, which means that they have low or no point value. We cover it by questioning during the lectures given during consolidation.
The goal of summative assessment is to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit by comparing it against some standard or benchmark. Such assessments are often high stakes, with a high point value.
We cover that requirement by progress tests and mock exams.
so the last progress test under KSA (summative assessment) is a case study type question? It suggests only one question to answer.
It depends on the school and their requirements. Our case studies are dealt with during consolidation. I don't know where you get only one question to answer from.
FuturePilot_123
5th Feb 2024, 11:45
It depends on the school and their requirements. Our case studies are dealt with during consolidation. I don't know where you get only one question to answer from.
Hi Paco, many thanks for this info. By “during consolidation”, do you mean the time within classroom/revision week?
thanks.
Yep that's it. I pose safety related questions/situations and see what the response is. No real need for saving villages from flooding with a ball of string and a washing up liquid bottle :) It's a half-assed concept anyway.