Distance Learning with Bristol GS

[spitfire747]

I am a PPL with about 100 hours, and a night.
I currently work full time and interested in the ATPLs so i can start the CPL.

I was wanting to here from people who work and have done the Bristol GS course, how much work did you do each day, how long did it take, how good was the 2 week brush up course

OR

Should i quit work and go to a full time GS course (recommendations please) study the ATPLs to guarantee the passes

HELP

[jma]

Spitfire,
Seems like I'm in a similar situation to you!
However, have just started on Module 1 (i.e. first half of the course) with Bristol & the books & CD look good.
Interested in the replies you get (& hope it's good news!)
Good luck....

[Matthewjharvey]

Did module 2 with BGS - about 4-6 hours a day for 2 months. Passed all subjects first time. Excellent notes.

[prob30]

Well, unless you are a bright spark modular is tougher than integrated (full time)

Airlines pre 11th were leaning towards taking full time students only. My advice, go full time if at all possible.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Incidentally, speaking as somebody who would find a CPL useful but has no desire for an ATPL, do any of these schools do genuine JAR CPL groundschool yet ?

G

[SuperTed]

prob30,

What do you call full time? Intergrated as oppose to modular??

[Max Levell]

Spitfire,

I looked at all the usual places for the ATPL distance course.

I finally chose Bristol, because I'd heard only good things about the place. And because I reckon its good value for money.

And I have to say, so far I'm pretty impressed.

The notes seem to be well thought out, the CD is very helpful. And progress tests are turned around in just a couple of days...

I spend 5,6 sometimes 7 hours a day learning,and appear to be moving along at a steady pace.

Can't comment on the brushup course as of yet - But again, have heard only good remarks.

All the best with your studies mate. Am also interested to hear what others have to say...

[EGDR]

I have just finished module 2 with BGS and have been more than happy with my results.

The brush up courses are excellent but don't take you're playstation 2 as they give you more than enough homework to keep you busy at night.The guys & girls there are top notch - friendly & professional. Even the dryest of subjects are taught well - with the odd dit injected - 'When I was flyin the sopwith camel on the western front ......etc

For accomodation I can recommend either of these from their B&B list

Mary Sproat - Manor Farm £15pn 20min drive from field, but inc 3 course evening meal, very friendly

Hazel Bedingfield - Brook Farm from £16pn 3min drive from field, self contained units, own WC & kitchen very nice !

(Both have outdoor pools !!!!!)

[Nishko]

I did Bristol, and strongly suggest you do the same.

EDGR is right about the accomodation too - just watch out for the sheep. :eek:

[Genghis the Engineer]

'cos I already enjoy a job playing with aeroplanes. But it would be enhanced by being able to do more professional flying as a pilot than I do at present - particularly the chance to progress from being a Flight Test Engineer to an Engineering Test Pilot. As a PPL with lots of experience and engineering qualifications I can still only flight test small light singles.

Given the only difference between the privileges of a CPL and an ATPL is the ability to fly left seat in a large transport aircraft, which I've no desire to do, I can't see any point doing all the extra work for an ATPL. I've never worked on anything bigger than a BAC1-11, and frankly am quite happy working on small single and twin engined aircraft.

And a modular CPL would keep me out of mischief once I've finished my part-time PhD next year.

Thanks, I'll look into the Coventry school.

G

[DesiPilot]

Spitfire,

I went to Bristol ground school about a year ago. I was lucky enough to take the exams under the old system.
I had excellent time in Bristol, found the ground school very good. The notes were very easy to understand even I had no difficulty understanding them (English is not my first language).
I have recommended BGS to many of our students and I have heard nothing but good things about them.
So, the bottomline, if I were to start all over again I will not hesitate in going back to Alex.

:) Jatin Gaur

[DiverDriver]

Spitfire, I've just completed Module 1 with Bristol. Married with two kids and working full time distance learning was the only option open to me. Well got my results this morning and I’ve passed 8 out of 8 can't believe it :D :D Delta Wun Wun was also in the same boat as me on the same ground school course and has also done very well.
I studied at home for 4 months before attending the ground school. Approx. 4 hrs each evening with a little more on Sat and Sunday, well at least until the beer clouded my head to the point that I couldn't concentrate any more.
I found the ground school excellent although after the first week I felt completely overloaded and I'm glad I made the decision to stay down in Bristol over the weekends just to get through the sheer volume of work. Bottom line is that you can do distance learning and pass first time if you put the effort in and are prepared for an intense 2 weeks of study before the exams. Good luck. DD

[bellwood]

Hi all, been reading wannabes for a while now and at last i have something to say <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> My Bristol GS Module 1 came through the post today, so far they have been more than helpful and am looking forwards to getting started. Will keep all interested posted. :)

[Delta Wun-Wun]

In the same boat as Diver Driver,married ,kids and full time shift work.I nailed 6 out of 8 first attempt.Dropped Nav by 4%...my own fault...taking too much time and making stupid mistakes.
I also dropped Instruments,for me this paper was a pig.The question bank for this subject is huge.
The two week brush up is very intense and very thorough.There is alot to get through.
Best choice for me is Bristol.
Diver Driver are you going to weigh in those beer cans and buy a small aeroplane with the proceeds?
Well done mate.
:) :) :)

[ 19 December 2001: Message edited by: Delta Wun-Wun ]</p>

[DiverDriver]

Cheers Delta, I'm under orders from my daughter to quit the smokes but I'm afraid that drinking and studying go hand in hand for me. In fact the biggest drawback of the exams was that I wasn't allowed to take an ashtray, 20 B&H and a 4 pack of bitter in with me, the CAA have some twisted rules don’t they! I like the new signature spoken like a true student of the great Tom Mallory flight planner extraordinaire I can hear him now "Right gents batteries out the calculators boxing gloves and remember the flight planning exam is a volume exercise so be accurate”. Or alternatively "right gentlemen today’s planning exam will take place at the end of runway 10 - I've taken the liberty of loading your shoes with sharp stones and breaking all the points of your pencils so you’ll have to make do with the mars bar if want to plot your track and once again remember be accurate – observe dear (Tom to his daughter) grown men crying I'm happy !!!!".

8 out of 8 I can't beleive it I'm happy another beer I think... :) :) :)

[spitfire747]

wELL DONE EVERYONE ON YOUR PASSES

I WILL SPEND CRIMBO WEIGHING UP THE ODDS ABOUT DISTANCE LEARNING

HAVE A GOOD ONE