ATPL Theory

[Cap'n Arrr]

Hi, I'm positive this has been done before, but I'm after the most current information. With Nathan Higgins being booked out for the next few months, what would be the best option (best chance of passing in shortest amount of time)?

1. Full Time at Secombe

2. Distance from Nathan

3. Full Time with UNSW

4. Another option I've missed

Thanks in advance for any help offered, really appreciate it!

[GearOff]

I have done the UNSW course and would highly recommend it. Len and Jeremy are both experienced ground instructors, and Len is one of the few people teaching this stuff who has actually done it for real.

It is reasonably quick, and within reason, they will let you resit the course for free.

I've heard some strange things from a number of people about the Secombe course not really enabling you to pass the exams. I have steered clear of it personally.

Have fun

[Tagneah]

Anywhere you get Len Sales out the front of the classroom talking about "Schoofties".

UNSW it is.

[biggles7374]

Capt'n Arr

I have not completed my ATPL's yet but intend to make a start soon so I will watch this thread with interest. I have no information regarding the quality of the different options so my post here will focus more on a strategy which may or may not be appropriate depending on your ability to self-study and your desired timescales.

From the sound of your post you are in a hurry to complete the ATPL theory so I will assume you are targeting a 3 month turnaround.

Whilst the consensus so far is to opt for the UNSW full time course this may not be possible as the next course does not start until 4th August - 7 weeks from now. With a 7 week course duration that means the earliest you could complete would be 16 weeks from now (assuming exams taken in the fortnight following the course).

Given that the structure of the UNSW course is divided into three modules (1 and 2 covering the 'more difficult' subjects and 3 covering met, nav and air law - the less difficult ones) why not self study met, nav and air law over the next seven weeks, sit the exams and then attend UNSW just for modules 1 and 2 which takes 5 weeks. Add on say a week to this for module 3 exams.

JOB DONE IN 13 WEEKS!!!

Advantages
* Much more manageable workload than cramming seven subjects into 7 weeks!!!!!
* The CASA embargo (ie no resit within 14/28 days) for any requirement to resit any of the self study subjects can be accomodated within the 13 week programme.

It will be tough going but only you are going to know whether you can achieve it or whether to are happy to take the full 14/16 weeks - either way no guarantees.

I hope my comments are useful and I wish you the best of luck!

[WannaBeBiggles]

Having just sat Nathans course I can say nothing but good things about him!

His teaching methods, commitment to getting his students to pass and quality of his texts are second to non (that I have seen anyway).

Homestudy should be fine, however Systems & Aerody is a very "dry" subject to homestudy and Flight Planning is nothing like you have ever experienced before.

If getting these done is time critical, then I would suggest doing a classroom course, or at least doing the classroom sessions for the above mentioned subjects.

Good luck

[airman1]

Cap'n Arrr,

I completed my ATPL's with UNSW course, I would have to say that it was some of the best tuition I have received in aviation. Len is full of little tricks and tips to help you get through the exams. I know everyone tends to lean towards Nathan but in my experience I got through with these guys and would defiantly recommend them.

I am with you "Gearoff" stay clear of Secombe I have only ever heard bad reports. "Strange" is not the word .....

Good Luck with it.

[Bendo]

Gav Secombe is a really nice bloke. He was pulled in by Uni Newcastle to "top up" the Aviation Students when we realised our 3-year degree in no way prepared us for ATPL subjects

The course ran 3 or 4 weeks including Christmas - and I seem to recall a half-hour lecture on the true meaning of Christmas one morning.

BUT he's a nice bloke.

I would recommend some face-to-face time for flight planning, it's a bastard. Biggles seems to have the right plan

[tinpis]

Isnt it strange that all these years North Americans have been able to operate them big hairyplanes without having to pass "bastard" exams.

[Capt Wally]

yeah 'tinpis' I agree. The ATPL exams just need to be passed, you will use very little of it anyway in real life. CPL level would be good enough to fly any jet these days. Nathan H would have to be the best option but sadly for you Cap'n you have to wait if going down his path (just goes to show how well it works doing it his way). I did his course some years ago now all subjects in 4 weeks full time. It's 'doable' but tough going. He shows you ways to short circuit an overly complex system system that's works fine.
The last hurdle, the biggest to jump over for sure but once passed you can do a memory dump & get on with the real world of aviation

There's obvioulsy lots of good advice here, at the end of the day only you know what's best for you
Good luck


CW

[tinpis]

Another thing ....if yer lucky enough to do a type rating with Boeing on one of their excellent products you will say .... IS THAT IT?

[Rawrawhammer]

Just go to the US and sit the FAA atpl exam then come back and do ICAO air law to convert it back to Oz.

[Monopole]

Just go to the US and sit the FAA atpl exam then come back and do ICAO air law to convert it back to Oz.

Who has the popcorn???? I'll bring the drinks.

Honestly, it is harder to get into the country then it is to pass the FAA exam.

[thedevil]

Cap'n Arrr by far the quickest way is to get the "easier exams" out of the way first. If you are finding that it is too difficult to self study then consider doing it in a classroom Higgins or other. If you go the self study route consider using a diary to help you plan study times for the exam, I found this helped me anyway. AFT seem to have the best cyber exams closest to the real thing, In saying that I found Rob Avery more logical for flight planning. Self study is harder but you can study and sit exams when you want also alows you to keep working a job at the same time. A couple of hours a night instead of watching the box will be enough.
good luck

[displaced gangster]

ATPL Subjects (Len Sales)

I had limited time and finances in 1995 to pass all subjects.My research in assessing, who was achieving the best first time pass rate, consistently turned up Len Sales.
Not able to comment first hand on other's, if you are serious Len will ensure success.

[flyhardmo]

I used gavin secombe with both self study and some classroom courses (flt planning, loading).
He is interesting but thorough. It won't be a breeze and he won't teach you those little tricks but he will lecture you on the 'good book'. I passed with an average 85%-90% and i'm not the sharpest nail in the packet. Mind you I don't remember a bloody thing from the ATPL's mainly because I don't use any of it.

[Cap'n Arrr]

Is Len still teaching? I had heard he was no longer doing it.

[Capt Mo]

Yeah Len is still teaching Part Time with Jeremy on board, he keeps saying he'll retire each year, but he's still going over at UNSW and doing a fantastic job!

I did flight planning, nav, systems and performance at UNSW and felt thoroughly prepared for the exams, passing each of them first time.

[Cap'n Arrr]

Ok, cheers for all the info! Sounds like UNSW is the way to go. One last question... where are the better places to live for the 5 weeks or so I'll be in YSBK? Would like to avoid getting stabbed/shot if possible

[AusDarren]

Thanks for the great info. (I am currently doing my CPL exams, have 2 still to go HPL & LAW)
I notice that the Study texts in the catalogs for ATPL level are not offered for all the subjects.. Eg met & nav are not offered in ATPL versions,
Is the ATPL exam similar to CPL?

I hope to self study as much as I can, I have self studied all subjects to date, and not had any problems.

Regards,

AusDarren

[Big Beres]

Be careful about heading to the US and doing the FAA ATPL and converting back here is OZ, QF/J* will still want to see your Aus ATPL KDR's - Had one guy on my ATPL course with an Canadian and FAA ATPL, as QF/J* still will wanted to see his Aus ATPL KDR's for all subjects - so guess what he had do - yes his Aus ATPL subjects. (QF also say this on the fine print on the website if you look hard enough)

BTW - I can recommend Gav Secombe Course, the guy knows his stuff and is happy to answer your questions after hours if need be ........ didn't hear a lot from "The Good Book" although it was always there - but each to there own I guess.

BB