Derek davidson groundschool
 

Has anyone any feedback on his groundschool' am i right to think that he goes through the exam that you will take and basically just gives you the correct answers?. Im just starting my pilot training and due to a busy city job i only have limited time to do my training but would still like a more indepth knowledge of each subject hope you can help as im about to book!!!

I believe DD comes highly recommended. A mate of mine did his PPL with him in 3 months from start to finish while working full time as a dentist and only flying at weekends....

Quote: 'am i right to think that he goes through the exam that you will take and basically just gives you the correct answers?'

If this was the case there would be little point in setting the exam. You do need to understand the subject if you want to be a safe pilot. Give Derek some credit, he is good at getting the subject over. His USP is he sits you in his kitchen and fills your head with the subject for a day after which you take the exam. It appears to be very effective , he has a good pass rate and I've never heard a bad word said of him. If as you say you are short of time and lack the ability to read books effectively go and see him.

I can read books effectively but relisticly how much could i learn in a 5 hour study lesson with someone when i have no prior knowledge of the subject :confused:

Has anyone on here actually used him im finding lots of friends of friends have;
but would like to know how in a day i could walk out having passed airlaw for instance

thanks

I used Derek for PPL and IMC groundschool, he is very good and I would recommend him. There is no harm in self studying though if that is your preference, after all, knowledge is power so to speak.

In my opinion though, Derek's tuition is worth every penny. He is very experienced and there is definitely an advantage with one on one tuition.

For me it is a no brainer as proven by the fact that I went back to him for my IMC groundschool after having completed my PPL and got some hours under my belt.

Hope this helps.

My understanding of his method from a friend who did it recently is you read the material before you go and then he concentrates on hammering home the pertinent points for the exam rather than trying to teach you a subject in 5hrs.

As other have said, I have never heard a bad word about him and his success rate is extremely good.

Why not actually call him and ask how he does it?

I don't know of this particular groundschool, but I think it would be irresponsible to think that you can just do a days study for each exam and be a confident and safe pilot afterwards.
There is so much information to learn; I would imagine this is more of a brush up class after you've studied to help you get through the exam, but I could be wrong.

I studied pretty hard for my PPL, and find myself reading and learning constantly since, and still have a lot more to learn.

I can't speak for Derek Davidson, but I did my RT in the way described above locally & it worked very well.

What I found with the RT was that by being on my own with the tutor the delivery of the subject matter was very much personalised, but that the tutor put everything clearly into context. I'd say that as a learning experience I took far more away from the few hours one-to-one that I have been able to use in the air than I actually used in the exam. To be honest, stopping to take the exam was a bit of a dissapointment given the amount of teaching & interaction that I had with the tutor, it made the whole experience very enjoyable.

People learn in different styles & speeds (Mrs Batninth teaches adults so I have this drummed into me) and the style that I see DD advertising can work very effectively.

Can't you start reading the books now? Shouldn't take more than a couple of days to read Airlaw for example? You couldn't possibly learn everything in 5 hrs.

I just read the Trevor Thom books a couple of times, then did some q's from the Confuser and then the required groundschool bits and took the exams....

Then read the books.

If you can't commit adequate time to train, you are unlikely to become or remain a safe pilot. Perhaps you should re-evaluate your priorities?

FBW

I thoroughly recommend Derek's ground school courses. I did mine 12 years ago over 5 Saturdays (I think)

The subjects were very thoroughly covered and I came away fully understanding the theory and passing the exams.

I'd recommend to anyone.
P...

exams
 

i did my r/t with DD and i have to say he definately doesnt just teach you the exam questions.
overall a happy conclusion for me and i rate him highly
why not call him and see for yourself
regards to all
pete

I done my exams,PPL,night rating all with derrick, he's a lovely bloke, hes very good at what he does, I would highly recommend him.
Give him a call, he will always like a chat,
Cheers,
Adam.

I upgraded from a microlight licence to an NPPL SSEA with Derek and it was a very enjoyable experience.

The aircraft instruments and engine component on his shelf were very useful in getting concepts committed to memory.

It is very unfair to suggest that "he goes through the exam that you will take and basically just gives you the correct answers". To do it on a public forum is an insult to a highly respected instructor and his students.

Donald

Im asking a fair questions im not suggesting anything!!!!!!!!!!

Ive done day courses before Not aviation but for Microsoft and thought it may be done like that hence the (am i right in thinking) part of the question. It seems that he knows his stuff and would be the right guy to go with. Im in Poland untill next week but will call him on my return to London'

Its been quite hard for a total novice to find out this information online regarding the best route of study and how indepth the subject matter is do i need to know all the fringe information or just the main bulk for example. I will get the books read them then go for the groundschool

The reason for my rush as it were is due to me now doing the work of two people in my firm and only having limited time to get to the location where i will be learning and taking the exams. Its a good 100mile round trip and wanted the best chance to pass first time with no hassles. The bulk of my flight training will be in my holiday in the summer just want the ground stuff out of the way or atleast a good chunk of it before i start

regards

Do the groundschool mate ive heard hes good also :ok:

Hes a total novice at the moment when i started i had no idea of who he was and his reputaion give the guy a break hes only asking a question!!! :ok:

D Davidson
 

Derek is old school, very good and he would not allow anyone to fly who was a danger, either to themselves or anyone else.

To suggest that he would talk you through the exam paper is tosh. You have to put some effort it.

He is OK in my book and well worth every penny. The country need more like him.

Derek and John give fantastic service and value for money.
Very amiable, approachable people.
The experience shows in the ease and calm of the teaching.
I took Nav with them last week

I did no prep beforehand though I had gone through
the wizzwheel once about 3-4yrs ago
but to all intents and purposes I was fresh

Long day but thorough and no pressure
I was amazed how easily it all fitted together.
I felt well prepared for the exam
took it late in the evening and passed convincingly

Lovely people, highly recommend, will go back

When my PPL lapsed, I had to take the CAR exam. I hadn't looked at air law for years. I found a free online resource that contained all the FAA CAR questions and rotated them. I spent an afternoon quizzing myself until I knew them all.

Got 97 % I seem to recall. Get googling...

Best,

SSS:ok: