Self studying for the CASA ATPL exams
 

Has anyone here self studied for these exams? For those that have, how did you go and what textbooks did you use to achieve this?

Money is tight at the moment and I'd like to get these exams squared away as soon as possible.

I self-studied all 7 exams. Passed every one first go, except Flight Planning .. took two goes to pass that one. I used predominantly AFT but also other resources as well when I needed to.

Just recently used the AFT texts (and a few extra supplementary texts) for all 7 exams . Passed all first go and averaged 91%. Some of the material, like everything is a bit dry (esp. flight planning!!!) but if you give yourself enough time with the heavier subjects you should have no problem self studying.

ID

What supplementary texts did you use increasedescent?

I found Systems the pain, at the end of the day it came down to how much time I spent on it,

You can get through without a course but need to put the time in! Good Luck!

There seems to be some support in these forums that Rob Avery is better for Aero & Systems rather than AFT but I can't verify this as I used RA's textbook for this subject. By all means study RA and practice AFT's papers.

Contrary to AoA, I found A&S to be the most interesting of all 7 subjects. Horses for courses, I suppose.

I can't seem to find a link for the textbooks on the AFT website. :ugh:

Where can I purchase these?

ReverseFlight - I'll check out the Avery books, cheers.

Yeah likewise did them self study, apart from Flight planning, which i ended up failing and passing second time round...

If your motivated and put the time into it, you should pass without too much hassle!

GOod luck

To buy the AFT texts on the website is done by purchasing the Distance Learning Course Notes. They aren't cheap, but definitely the way to go for the ATPLs if not attending the course. Good luck! :ok: P

I used the Avery notes and wish I had not, they were out of date and made the job of work a lot more difficult than it needed to be. I haven't seen the AFT paperwork but, if I had to do the exams again, would definitely use them!
Whatever you do, good luck. Not many jobs out there though so I can't help wondering why you don't get a 'real' job and earn enough money to fly for pleasure!!

"Whatever you do, good luck. Not many jobs out there though so I can't help wondering why you don't get a 'real' job and earn enough money to fly for pleasure!!"

That's exactly what I'm doing mate. Currently working as an Electrical Engineer during the week, and I plan on instructing part time on the weekends. I haven't flown since '02 and I figured doing the ATPL would be a great way to ease back into it. Plus when the industry picks up again, I'll be ready to go :ok:

btw Pilotette - are you talking about the 'Distance Learning Course Only' for $2310.00? Seems a bit steep for a set of notes.

Anyone self studied using the Aviation Theory Centre texts? A full set would work out to less than $300.

A few of the Aviation Theory Centre ATPL texts, mainly the avionics and systems books as they were a little easier to read. Mechanics of Flight was also helpful for some concepts that needed a bit more depth. As for flight planning - twas a home grown textbook from an experienced individual - sorry!. But that's not to say you couldn't do it solely with AFT texts - just me I guess.

ID

Well, yes, but do you want to pass the exams, or not?

As they say, you get what you pay for.

Fair point mate. Looks like AFT will be the way to go.

You don't have to buy the full set of AFT notes up front. You can buy each subject as you want them. Think its $200 or $300 cheaper to buy them all, but hey I couldn't afford it all in one hit either.

I am about half way through and so far so good. I think its true, that you really do get what you pay for.

Alpha

Yep those are the ones but as Lasiorhinus said..you get what you pay for! The pack includes a lot of practice exams and also the practice cyber exams too & if you can do all of them you will have no problem in the actual exam. The Meteorology pack also includes the BOM Aviation Met Manual. If you're not sure about spending that kind of money...try find someone who will let you borrow one of their subjects to see what they're like..I'm sure there are a few around!

Hobbit - I was thinking of signing up for the Rob Avery distance learning as he currently has a pretty good special going. Could you explain what you meant by out of date. PM me if you prefer.

Thanks
Two Dogs

I have the AFT correspondance course texts which are the same they use in the full time class i think. Have just started to use them and i think it will be ok. Am trying to study it while working full time and its challenging to commit the required time but im hoping i will make it!

I only got the big four subjects (nav, planning, loading and systems) for about $1900 i think but included are all the practice exams with the texts, access to around 25-30 practice cyber exams plus you can email Nathan or call (not much luck on that front so far though, i think he's a pretty busy chap) if you are stuck on something.....

Not sure yet if its worth it but as some other poster said above, it all depends on how much time you put into it.

Pretty fancy looking books though, will make your bookcase look pretty impressive at least :)

K

I didn't even realise there was a different book for ATPL HUF. I just used the Bob Tait book I used for CPL. Same exam pretty much.

Correct. AFT AHUF clearly states in the index the notes included are Bob Tait's CHUF material - it's just photocopied (with permission of course). There are only about 40 or so pages of supplementary questions, most of repeats of Bob Tait's material. Despite that I would still recommend AFT, their other texts are great. :ok:

ID

Edit: Sorry didn't see that last post!

Hey guys, Im gonna be doing my CASA ATPLs by self study also. Which are the best books to use??

Has anyone got any advice on the Aviation Theory Centre books? Would they be enough?
The Aviation Theory Centre

I also notice you can do a distance course with AFThttp://www.aft.com.au/afthome.htm

The AFT course is $2300, whereas the Aviation Theory Centre books would only total around $500....

Really interested to see what people think of the ATC books.

Cheers guys

"...rote learning" :ugh::ugh::ugh:

What a great system we have! Hurrry hurry quick quick get your ATPL, where's my airline job? quick quick!

soseg, That is worrying mate. Hope that you are weeded out by the recruitment process at whatever airline you end up applying for.

I self-studied all 7 using the AFT course notes and got through them all first time, except Flight Planning which I passed after the second attempt. So, I'd highly recommend AFT. The notes are good with exercises at the end of each chapter. They also include 4 practice cyberexams for each subject which you can sit twice.

I used ATC for my PPL studies years ago, and I also had a quick skim through the ATC ATPL books at the pilot shop. They seem to cover the content pretty well, however they appear to be text books and not "a course" as such. Using the AFT course notes on the other hand felt as though you were working through a course as it showed you the techniques in finding solutions to problems. AFT also has email and telephone support which is great. I'm not sure whether ATC provides that or not.

Thanks for that ming. Anyone else used the ATC ATPL books?

Hey guys,

Question for those that have self studied the ATPL subjects...

I'm trying to plan my next six months of study through the ATPL subjects and I'm looking for a rough guide on how much time I should budget to study the four big exams. I've been flying air transport category aircraft for a few years now so I'm not new to the concepts, my initial thought was about a month per exam. (I'm planning on about 6 hours per day - during the working week.)

Can anyone share their experiences? Thanks in advance.

Hey mate,

I spent 2 to 3 weeks on each subject and studied 6 to 8 hours each day during the week and a couple of hours over the weekend.

The key is keeping a schedule and sticking to it. Just treat it like a desk job for a couple of months.

Cheers and good luck.

The one subject you simply must leave ample study time for is Flight Planning. Unless you're incredibly gifted, there will be a limit to how much you can achieve in a day before your brain turns to mush. For me, that was about 6 hours, or 2 practice exams.

With other subjects, such as Systems, you can study as much as you like in a day without becoming "overloaded" (this is how I found it, anyway).

I'd personally budget 4-5 weeks for Flight Planning, and a good 4 for Systems. I found Performance and Nav fairly straightforward, and comfortably studied for both in around 3 weeks each. This is all assuming, of course, that you're not working back to back 12 hour days while you're preparing for the exams.

Thanks for the reply appreciate it! :ok:

I knocked met out in a week so I'm building some fudge into my plan to use later on flight planning!

I did mine back when they only sat the exams bi-monthly and on paper. Did all 7 in 4 sittings (8 months). That included an IREX exam. Allowed one month per subject in a strategic order to reduce study. 2 months for FLT PLN and 1 week for AIR LAW in last sitting.

HUF and MET
AERO DYN and IREX
NAV an PERF
FLT PLN and AIRLAW

Use AFT for all.

All passed first attempt.

Or between

Beg, borrow or steal the money and do the AFT full time course.

I did it in '97 and admitting it was the most difficult and stressful 4 weeks of my life (until the 777 command), in the end, all subjects completed in 4 weeks and passed first time. Other guys tried to save a few $$$ by doing some themselves and whilst some eventually got through, non made it first attempt..

I was done and dusted in 4 weeks and was enjoying life stress free, whilst others were still studying many months later trying to pass. Thats worth the $$$ spent anyway. Some of the people on my course once back at work found it hard to study and took another year or so to pass. Other still to this day have not succeeded.

Nathan really knows his stuff. Whilst its great to read from a book, nothing beats a real instructor standing up front. Not only can you ask questions, but you benefit from other asking questions you may not have thought of. I had a great study buddy (sounds a little gay I know, not that there is anything wrong with that of course). I really sux'd and flight planning and he sux'd at...well everything else. I got 100 for the other subjects so we really helped each other out and both passed first attempt..

The methods taught by Nathan are not just designed to enable you to pass the exams.. The 727 Quick fuel SGR figures given also work on any aircraft type. Years later I worked out some quick SGR's for the 737 and was able to calculate a Brisbane - Perth on my calculator in less than a minute which was normally within 200 kg of the flight plan. Very handy and extremely accurate.

All 7 exams in 4 weeks? That sounds like a very high workload. How long does Nathan spend on Flight Planning alone? If you can do it though, great work.

I self studied them all, but to use FPL again as an example, even working through the AFT notes at a good pace, then many practice questions and exams, I needed 4 weeks for that one exam alone.

I think from memory flight planning was an entire week or maybe a week and a Half..

It was tough all right.. Not only did we do all subjects in 4 weeks, we sat all exams over 2 days back to back. I can't recall how many exams there were though. I can think of at least 5 but there may have been another one or two.

My point being if you can do a full time course, it will all be over and done with in a relatively short time..if your doing self study your going to be at it for a number of months or more.

It was one of the most unpleasant and stressful times of my life, but I worked my ass off, even on weekends when others were out getting pissed and falling over and the end result was I passed all exams first go. In all but flight planning I got 100%. Flight planning I was a little dense and only just scrapped through with 80% ish I think. I thing the minimum was 75% from memory?

I used a site called online aviation theory , passed aero with 90% first go .