Distance Learning Success Stories

[skin'n'bones]

Has anyone out there in wannabe land managed to complete the atpl exams whilst working full time.

It looks like this will be my most viable option and I was hoping that those of you who have gone down this route could share some tips and/or experience.

Thanks

S'n'B

[Gin Slinger]

Did my Mod 2 subjects pretty much full time. Had to resit PoF, mainly due of a combination of laziness and arrogance on my part.

Tended to do a couple of hours of study in the morning, then take a break to do flog myself in the gym, usually followed by a pint and a sandwich at my local. Pop back home, do another couple of hours, followed by a hour of relaxation in front of the telly, then a final 1-2 hours to review the ground I'd covered that day.

I found it useful to go over old progress tests regularly to prevent all the knowledge I'd gained being lost prior to the brush-up course and the exams.

Advise working your socks off during the brush-up fortnight, heavily biasing your time towards the feedback handouts they'll weigh you down with.

Not the most exciting 3 months of my life, but it got me through and I got through it.

[Megaton]

I was working full time when I sat my JAR ATPLs. First time pass in them all although I must admit to having a background in electrical and aircraft engineering which helped a lot. Hard work but definitely feasible. Three weeks off for the brush-up and exams. Fortunately, having a sympathetic boss (me) helped.y

[Delta Wun-Wun]

I managed to pass the ATPL`s whilst working shift work full time. Had to re-sit three though. There are people on here who have pssed the lot first time. It takes longer if your working as well. Just plan out your study time and don`t be in a rush to finish.:D

[PeteB]

I have also managed to pass my module one exams first time while working shift work. I'd agree with the idea that you shouldn't try to rush them - just get them done as and when you can. I just accepted the fact that apart from flying, I wouldn't spend my spare time doing anything other than study. I've got my module two exams in a couple of months, hopefully I'll get through those first time aswell. If I do, it will have taken me 11 months - I think I could have done it quicker, but I had to move house and change jobs during that time, which meant I had to stop studying. I think I'll have done a total amount of 8 months to pass it all. If I pass!

[foghorn]

I passed all my exams first time whilst working full time away from home. It was hard work, it took me a lot longer than I planned (one year), but it was all worth it in the end.

This was at the time when the JAA syllabus was brand new and people were failing left right and centre because the schools didn't know what to teach and the exam papers were full of dodgy questions.

The best advice is not to rush them - if you want to delay, the delay, after all there are exams held every month.

[parris50]

Yes, I did them in 8 months whilst working full time. Did the first batch at Guildhall and the second at Bristol Ground School. The brush up courses are very important. Be prepared to put in a lot of hours and have not much social life for a while. It'll be worth it!

[GonvilleBromhead]

Yeah, first time passes in all with BGS, and working f/t. Took me about 13 months start to finish, studied about 3-3.5 hours a night in the week pretty solidly (with the odd night off), and generally kept weekends free to spend entirely with girlfriend and socialise. Go out of my brain otherwise.

I slowed it down somewhat post 9/11 and Xmas, so it can certainly be done quicker than that, but as said, why rush. Do 'em when you feel ready (as you'll be anyway).

I would periodically pick a topic that I'd already covered some weeks back, and at least skim read it again, sometimes more thoroughly, just to "keep it a bit fresher" than waiting till I'd got to the end of the material before looking at the early stuff again, found that helped me a fair bit when it came to revision.

Brush ups are excellent at BGS, provided you've covered and understood the material prior to going down, or at least understood the vast majority of it, you can always clear up minor problem areas when you're down there, but they do go at a fair old pace on the brush ups.

Good luck.

[Hufty]

I passed all mine first time while working full time - and very long hours too. It was a bit of a nightmare sometimes as I put my social life (what social life) on hold for over a year, but emerged with good grades which is what I wanted to achieve. I found it good to be disciplined - I gave myself clearly defined 'work' and 'study' phases throughout the day and focused exclusively on both in turn so I could get my work done ASAP and escape home in the evening for another couple of hours of study. I also spend almost every weekend in the office (!) as it was much quieter than being at home and it meant there were no distractions. I tried to leave weekend evenings free though and around half of Sunday.

It has been said before, but feedback is the key - I used Oxford for my distance learning and found their feedback to be excellent. I also used the Keith Williams books to supplement my notes for Instruments and Aircraft general. They were very good.

Good luck - it can be done!

[buzzc152]

I work full time in the city and I'm progressing with ATPL quite nicely...... though havn't done any exams yet. My original plan of doing the lot in under 12 months may be a bit optimistic but I won't be far off. 1/2 hour study on the train in the morning, 1 hour at lunch time, maybe some more on the way home if the brain is still working and then as much I can do in the evening (which isn't ever more than an hour or so). Try and do loads at the weekend. I'm managing 1 frame every 1 1/2 - 2weeks. And that is fitting in with a stressful job, long hours which also comes with it's own exams to study for. No problem !!

[Ops! I did it again]

:O Passed all my ATPL exams first time in 8 months working full time in operations for an air taxi company. And doing my hour building too and commuting (spell chk) 300 miles to see my girlfriend very 2 weeks.

The key for me was always having a BGS book with me at ALL TIMES. So when you get any spare moment... Study!!! I was even known for studying while sitting in the right hand seat before getting my turn in the left where the autopilot came into its own and i did the progress tests..... (only joking)

Did it with BGS who I would very highly recommend!

PS. If your going to BGS stay at Marys.... Great place.

[wobblyprop]

Yep. :) It took 18months but i did it. I worked a normal 9-5 job. Many thanks to Guildhall for their patients as i pestered them for help.


Good luck

[skin'n'bones]

Just the sort of motivation I was looking for, Thanks for all of your replys. Think ill spend some cash with BGS after all the good things you hear about them.

Thanks again

S'n'B