ATPLs - Distance Learning Question

[DC323]

I am about to finally get around to doing my ATPLs. However, with the recent financial crisis I am having to tighten the ol' purse strings. I have done the maths and I can't really afford the accommodation/food costs and air fares associated with going to Nathan Higgins' AFT from Perth.I have until Christmas off and I am seriously considering dedicating all my time to bowling as many as I can over.

I was just wondering what any experience you guys have had doing the ATPLs via distance learning vs. going to QLD. Any advice you could offer would be much appreciated?

[Digaf]

In my opinion 6 of the 7 exams can be self studied. Flight Planning the exception.

If you read and read and do more reading and practice exam after practice exam you should be right with those six. Get the right texts and you are well on your way.

I found that by self studying you tend to nut out the techniques via trial and error yourself, (takes a little more time this way), it sticks in your mind better.

Flight planning has some techniques that are better taught by someone else.

Some people will disagree with what I have just said, but everyone has different ways of learning. See how you go with the self study, if it then fails, resort to the class room. Good Luck.

[desmotronic]

wot digaf said.

[tiger19]

It can be done. I started my ATPL subjects this year in Easter and have self studied them all. I am on my last exam now "systems" and have passed them all so far first attempt except flight planning which took me 2 attempts. I have been flying fulltime the whole time with minimal time off. I have been doing nathan Higgins self study and cannot complain about the type of course he provides. If you are not working you should be able to get a few complete by christmas without too many concerns. Good luck

[Aeroo]

Hi,
I'm in a similar position to DC323.
I'd like to do my ATPLs next year, but as I'll be finishing my degree (hopefully!) I can't take the time off to go to AFT full time for all the courses.
You mentioned that it's possible to do most of it yourself if you get the right texts. Would you mind suggesting which ones you used, or would suggest using?
I talked to the bloke who runs one of the shops at Archerfield, and he was very discouraging, saying: Forget it. You can't self study them. (Very encouraging!).
I managed to self study all my CPLs and IREX while at uni, so I'm hoping I can manage to do the same with at least a few ATPLs.
Any suggestions appreciated!
Aeroo

[el_capitano]

You should be able to get through all the subjects by self studying. Nathan's full time ground course is good but with quite large class room numbers i.e 45-50 people and a lot of time spent going over homework from the night b4 you may find that you are better off self studying. Nathan's notes are quite detailed and if you follow his methods you should get through.

Good luck.....

[300Series]

I have been using Nathan Higgans distance course also. However i did decide to recently take some time off and come back for a subject. I have just finished the Aerody and systems course and have my exam in 1hr. His course was excellent, the explanations, demonstrations and videos definitely helped. Will let you know how i go later on with aerody and systems.

300

[The Hill]

I also self studied all of them and passed first go using nathans notes, it took me about 5 months whilst working full time. I could have done it quicker i guess, just wanted to pace myself. Self studying can be done, just takes a bit more effort. The hardest was obviously flight planning, by no means impossible though.

If you are pushed for time i guess the classes are the way to go.

[Unhinged]

You can successfully self-study them all - Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. No-one is saying that it's easy, but we all know that anyway.

I passed all of them first time with Nathan's notes, while flying full time. I told her indoors that we wouldn't be socialising much for the next while, and then booked all the exams at one-per-fortnight in the order that he teaches them at the live-in course. Knowing that I was committed to specific dates gave me the motivation to cancel the alcohol budget and avoid the tv. It wasn't rocket science and I'm not Einstein, I was just very determined to get this road-block smashed.

[DC323]

Thanks guys for all your responses! I was told like most that self-studying would be impossible and to just do the classroom course.

I agree that self-studying for me at least means that I will absorb more in the study process. Dedication and commitment will be the key.

As for flight planning......well, I'll take a punt on self-studying and we'll see how it all goes!

There can be no harm in trying.....

[300Series]

passed aerody and sys today with a combination of self study and Higgans course

[Cap'n Arrr]

I self studied Human Factors (70% ) and Met (94%). All the others I went to a course for, however all are possible to self study. I've seen Higgins notes and from what I saw they are VERY good. You can always see how you go self studying flight planning, and then book in for the course if you're struggling with the study.

[Aussie]

Likewise did 6 of the 7 self study (flight planning the exception) and can be easily done

Good luck!

[Gundog01]

Anyone used Bob Avery for distance learning courses? If so how would you rate his courseware?

[300Series]

tiger check your PMs

[The Hill]

For FP i used both Nathans and Robs books. To be honest i found Robs better for this subject. Just a different technique, instead of doing written flight plans, it was more of a diagram format. For the other subjects Nathans were top notch!

[Chimps CanGoTo Space]

I used AFT Nathan Higgens. All exams first time, good marks.
If any one is chasing the aft flight planning distance learning coarse, PM.