London Metropolitan University
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: london
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I've just finished with LMU and can like the others here recommend them throughly.
I dont know about the other schools but the instructors to me were genuinely interested in the students progress and they go out of their way to give time to students should they need help. there's a wide range of characters, some more colourful than others, something that i found made it all the more fun.
The course being split into 3 phases makes it that much more managable and i didnt find myself overwhelmed by the material. The size of the manuals can be intimidating at first and ,particularly with the technical sujbects, they do tend to teach more than is required for the exam but I didnt find that a hindrance as towards the end they do streamline the teaching with the focus more n passing the exams.
You'd be surprsed how much you retain once your all done. My CFI, having had experience of students from different groundschools, singled out this being the one thing he noticed with LMU students most so make what you will of that.
The new notes have been sized down from the old meaty ones and i spose the distance learners will benefit more from that as with the old notes it really was hard to filter out the bits you needed to know from the unnecessary bits and they didnt have enough pretty pictures for my liking.
Hope this helps and good luck with whatever you decide.
I dont know about the other schools but the instructors to me were genuinely interested in the students progress and they go out of their way to give time to students should they need help. there's a wide range of characters, some more colourful than others, something that i found made it all the more fun.
The course being split into 3 phases makes it that much more managable and i didnt find myself overwhelmed by the material. The size of the manuals can be intimidating at first and ,particularly with the technical sujbects, they do tend to teach more than is required for the exam but I didnt find that a hindrance as towards the end they do streamline the teaching with the focus more n passing the exams.
You'd be surprsed how much you retain once your all done. My CFI, having had experience of students from different groundschools, singled out this being the one thing he noticed with LMU students most so make what you will of that.
The new notes have been sized down from the old meaty ones and i spose the distance learners will benefit more from that as with the old notes it really was hard to filter out the bits you needed to know from the unnecessary bits and they didnt have enough pretty pictures for my liking.
Hope this helps and good luck with whatever you decide.
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Brighton, UK
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Loads of thanks for all your very comprehensive replies.
I have made the decision to go full time at LMU as I think the distance learning would possibly allow me to be unintentionally distracted by being close to my business. So, time to finish training my office manager, to allow me to concentrate solely on my first real steep learning curve since schooldays!!!!
I have made the decision to go full time at LMU as I think the distance learning would possibly allow me to be unintentionally distracted by being close to my business. So, time to finish training my office manager, to allow me to concentrate solely on my first real steep learning curve since schooldays!!!!
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Melbourne
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LMU sound really good, I am considering the resedential course in 2004. Altough as I am travelling from O/S I am concerned about the COST OF LIVING in LONDON.
How did you guys find rent, living expenses, accomodation....in London, any thoughts?
How did you guys find rent, living expenses, accomodation....in London, any thoughts?
Join Date: Jun 1999
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canopy_gone,
Whilst I was there I lived in East London. I pretty much stuck to a budget of approximately Ł40 per week for food, however I often did not spend that amount, and my rent was about Ł380 per month. Therefore for the duration of my stay in London to live cost me around Ł3780. I had a bicycle for transportation, so no real transport costs, apart from the odd trip home to visit friends and family.
Good Luck.
Whilst I was there I lived in East London. I pretty much stuck to a budget of approximately Ł40 per week for food, however I often did not spend that amount, and my rent was about Ł380 per month. Therefore for the duration of my stay in London to live cost me around Ł3780. I had a bicycle for transportation, so no real transport costs, apart from the odd trip home to visit friends and family.
Good Luck.
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Essex
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Very helpful discussion people. I'm also thinking about going to LMU in conjunction with Stapleford Flying Centre (Romford way). I live Essex way so I could commute to LMU fairly easily. I have to admit that I was worried slightly as I thought the only way to learn to fly commercial was to go to one of the big FTO's (to get that dream job). This forum has taught me different. Realise it will be a hard long road, but only way I will be able to do it.
By the way does anyone have any experiences with Stpleford Flight Centre??.
By the way does anyone have any experiences with Stpleford Flight Centre??.
Join Date: Nov 2003
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as another ex guildhall chap, i can't recommend them highly enough. i started by doing distance learning with them and agree wholeheartedly with DanBaxter. the notes are quite long winded and if you don't have a tutor to guide you, it can be a bit daunting. that was why i chose to go full time and have never regretted the change. the tutors are, well lets say unique, but all very experienced and knowledgable on their particular subject. i always felt that the subjects are taught to be understood, not to just pass the exam. as a result i feel confident when i'm now teaching the ppl groundschool that i do know what i'm talking about (although some students will disagree).
as for living in london, if your happy to not live in the centre (leyton, wood green, tottenham) then rent is not too different from anywhere else in the south and i would recommend cycling as it will save money and hassle in the mornings.
good luck where ever you choose to study.
as for living in london, if your happy to not live in the centre (leyton, wood green, tottenham) then rent is not too different from anywhere else in the south and i would recommend cycling as it will save money and hassle in the mornings.
good luck where ever you choose to study.
Join Date: Nov 2003
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LMU
hi fox
to be honest i do not know if you actually know what you saying about London Met.
I personally think that 50 % of the instructors have got not idea of what they are doing.
Here the bad ones:
Gen Nav-Perf ---> he is good in nav but no idea on performance in fact OAT has build up a business out of LMU student failing performance. Enjoy coffee and fags.
Powerplant and sometimes POF----> full of nonsense, likes to show off and performe as if he has been the Chief pilot of BA. It is obvious he's not a University graduate engineer judging by his luck of manner and terminology which comes probably from the suburb of London.
Electrics - OPS and sometimes POF real good one but unfortunately the coloured one is making to much cash out of LMU student struggling with POF. Fees are 50.00 for a group brush up course and 30.00 for one hr one to one.
Radio nav-- Air law--Met---> the chap however teaching for quite a long time still has got no idea why he is doing that job. Knowledge of those subjects is a mistery to him but, for him the recurrent word is "all right?"
Comms - Flight planning---> ex london met student who had to retake most of the subjects twice. Think??????
HERE THE REAL GOOD:
INSTRUMENT - MASS AND BALANCE: HE IS A REAL ASSET, EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE, FLEXIBLE AND HELPFUL. ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT STUDENT QUERIES.
So finally i would kindly suggest you to have a look around. Indeed they are cheaper than others but you may end up spending more on notes and individual tuition.
Have a good look at Bristol university as far as i know they are currently the best on distance learning.
Good luck
to be honest i do not know if you actually know what you saying about London Met.
I personally think that 50 % of the instructors have got not idea of what they are doing.
Here the bad ones:
Gen Nav-Perf ---> he is good in nav but no idea on performance in fact OAT has build up a business out of LMU student failing performance. Enjoy coffee and fags.
Powerplant and sometimes POF----> full of nonsense, likes to show off and performe as if he has been the Chief pilot of BA. It is obvious he's not a University graduate engineer judging by his luck of manner and terminology which comes probably from the suburb of London.
Electrics - OPS and sometimes POF real good one but unfortunately the coloured one is making to much cash out of LMU student struggling with POF. Fees are 50.00 for a group brush up course and 30.00 for one hr one to one.
Radio nav-- Air law--Met---> the chap however teaching for quite a long time still has got no idea why he is doing that job. Knowledge of those subjects is a mistery to him but, for him the recurrent word is "all right?"
Comms - Flight planning---> ex london met student who had to retake most of the subjects twice. Think??????
HERE THE REAL GOOD:
INSTRUMENT - MASS AND BALANCE: HE IS A REAL ASSET, EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE, FLEXIBLE AND HELPFUL. ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT STUDENT QUERIES.
So finally i would kindly suggest you to have a look around. Indeed they are cheaper than others but you may end up spending more on notes and individual tuition.
Have a good look at Bristol university as far as i know they are currently the best on distance learning.
Good luck
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: London
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Wow Figair.
Thanks for that. I guess we should all call for the CAA to shut this pace down.
Here is another bit of terminology coming from the suburb of London:
You DOUGHNUT! Not the jam ones either!
I would rather pay a sub fee on this website rather than listen to Useless non constructive posts like that of Figair.
Well, i shall not be basing my choice of groundschool on the strength of your comments.
Thanks for that. I guess we should all call for the CAA to shut this pace down.
Here is another bit of terminology coming from the suburb of London:
You DOUGHNUT! Not the jam ones either!
I would rather pay a sub fee on this website rather than listen to Useless non constructive posts like that of Figair.
Well, i shall not be basing my choice of groundschool on the strength of your comments.
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Hi NUMBEWR CRUNCHER
I reckon you too then belong to the group, do you?
Have I just hurt you. Sorry it was not in my intention.
But if you are not, open your eyes.
I reckon i would greatly appreciate to pay a fee too to read something more realistic and have a proper point of view instead of an affiliated one.
I reckon you too then belong to the group, do you?
Have I just hurt you. Sorry it was not in my intention.
But if you are not, open your eyes.
I reckon i would greatly appreciate to pay a fee too to read something more realistic and have a proper point of view instead of an affiliated one.
Join Date: Dec 2002
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Clearly all of the above views are from people with experience of LMU, none are more or less valid than others! LMU is not perfect, neither is anywhere else I should think but at least it's cheap, convenient and good fun. One thing is for sure, there are always whingers at every school.
Join Date: Sep 2001
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I think Figair is just being honest, a bit blunt, but honest. As an ex LMU student, I think most of his decriptions are fairly accurate, but as I said, a bit blunt. Some of the tutors are ex RAF types, and see students as raw recruits instead of customers. Some of the others are little better, one or two are pretty good.
Number Cruncher- You can pay a sub fee and not get any negative comments about any of the ground schools, but pprune would just become a mutual appreciation society. Negative comments also have a place on this web site, well at least I hope they do!
Anyone going to LMU be prepared to beg/borrow/steal notes from Bristol/Oxford. Or am I just whinging!!
Number Cruncher- You can pay a sub fee and not get any negative comments about any of the ground schools, but pprune would just become a mutual appreciation society. Negative comments also have a place on this web site, well at least I hope they do!
Anyone going to LMU be prepared to beg/borrow/steal notes from Bristol/Oxford. Or am I just whinging!!
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Figair sounds like you are having a personal dig at the instructors, rather than providing justified constructive input.
There are always going to be whinging disgruntled students ( I can just picture them now).
Keep in mind at the end of the day, what really matters is RESULTS, and from the comments LMU are doing reasonably well.
There are always going to be whinging disgruntled students ( I can just picture them now).
Keep in mind at the end of the day, what really matters is RESULTS, and from the comments LMU are doing reasonably well.
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I completed recently no thanks to LMU and Bristol. I have been reading many threads and can not believe how biased you all are. Are you really students or stooges for Bristol/LMU! I have to agree with figair
I started distance learning with LMU and found their notes poor and the telephone service unreliable. After failing several exams I read these threads and went to Bristol – what a mistake. Again they were not always able to answer my problems “our expert is not here today I’ll get him to call you back”. They did not seem interested in me as a brush-up student and their attitude was “read the books first and then ask us”, not to trouble them with trivia!
Understandably I then went to Oxford. Fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble and they always had an expert on site, and immediately available. Their notes are superb and their feedback vital (having seen both LMU and Bristols feedback I now know where LMU & Bristol got theirs from). I had problems with Gen Nav and Perf, and Bristols feedback confused me. I showed it to Oxford who said “put it in the bin – I defy anybody to pass using those answers!” A bit excessive, but I took the point. All the Oxford instructors have flown professionally (engineers excepted) and really know what they are teaching as well as the practical implications of the course. Many of their “hints and tips from flight experience” are what got me through, as well as acurate feedback.
Why does everyone knock Oxford. Yes, they are expensive, but having done the rounds I’d have saved money by going to them first. I agree that if you are competent it does not matter where you go, but if you are not a natural academic (like me) then there is only one place to go – Oxford. Whilst I was there they were having trouble with their very expensive integrated course (a very silly decision I think), but as soon as the management realise how good their Modular department is, and put some resources into it, then the other schools had better watch out. I was amazed at how a team of 4 could look after so many students so efficiently!
Oxford you did me proud, I would not have passed without your help. I can not thank you enough.
Now to complete the flying – of course it will be with Oxford.
I started distance learning with LMU and found their notes poor and the telephone service unreliable. After failing several exams I read these threads and went to Bristol – what a mistake. Again they were not always able to answer my problems “our expert is not here today I’ll get him to call you back”. They did not seem interested in me as a brush-up student and their attitude was “read the books first and then ask us”, not to trouble them with trivia!
Understandably I then went to Oxford. Fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble and they always had an expert on site, and immediately available. Their notes are superb and their feedback vital (having seen both LMU and Bristols feedback I now know where LMU & Bristol got theirs from). I had problems with Gen Nav and Perf, and Bristols feedback confused me. I showed it to Oxford who said “put it in the bin – I defy anybody to pass using those answers!” A bit excessive, but I took the point. All the Oxford instructors have flown professionally (engineers excepted) and really know what they are teaching as well as the practical implications of the course. Many of their “hints and tips from flight experience” are what got me through, as well as acurate feedback.
Why does everyone knock Oxford. Yes, they are expensive, but having done the rounds I’d have saved money by going to them first. I agree that if you are competent it does not matter where you go, but if you are not a natural academic (like me) then there is only one place to go – Oxford. Whilst I was there they were having trouble with their very expensive integrated course (a very silly decision I think), but as soon as the management realise how good their Modular department is, and put some resources into it, then the other schools had better watch out. I was amazed at how a team of 4 could look after so many students so efficiently!
Oxford you did me proud, I would not have passed without your help. I can not thank you enough.
Now to complete the flying – of course it will be with Oxford.
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LMU
Hi T-key and Johnnypick
first I'd like to thank you both for your honesty on giving your experience.
Seems to me that canopy_gone does not get the point or is trying to justify LMU instructors uncapability or whatever you want to define it.
I personally found the LMU note uselesse and often misleading. I can actually confirm that most of their students use the OAT but what is better is that i personally saw The LMU instructors preparing their lectures from the OAT notes. It is known to everyone that the whole feedback's come from Oxford but unfortunately someone at LMU had the brilliant idea to wrongly correct the answers with what they thought to be the correct one.
I have to agree with T-key about oxford instructors, i went there my self and found a huge continous support from every instructor, they are great, know what they are doing and accomplishing a great mission.
Should i had to start the ATPL ground training i would not hesitate one sec but choose Oxford Aviation Training even though are apparently more expensive at the end you may spend the same amount of money or even worse you could end up giving up you dream.
Someone mentioned averages of passing at LMU but nobody has so far given real figures including also the number of student who give up at LMU.
What i actually also found scandalous instructors on their first day introduction mentioning fees for ONE TO ONE tuition. Aren't they already well paid?
Best of luck to whoever is about to choose a ATPL ground school.
first I'd like to thank you both for your honesty on giving your experience.
Seems to me that canopy_gone does not get the point or is trying to justify LMU instructors uncapability or whatever you want to define it.
I personally found the LMU note uselesse and often misleading. I can actually confirm that most of their students use the OAT but what is better is that i personally saw The LMU instructors preparing their lectures from the OAT notes. It is known to everyone that the whole feedback's come from Oxford but unfortunately someone at LMU had the brilliant idea to wrongly correct the answers with what they thought to be the correct one.
I have to agree with T-key about oxford instructors, i went there my self and found a huge continous support from every instructor, they are great, know what they are doing and accomplishing a great mission.
Should i had to start the ATPL ground training i would not hesitate one sec but choose Oxford Aviation Training even though are apparently more expensive at the end you may spend the same amount of money or even worse you could end up giving up you dream.
Someone mentioned averages of passing at LMU but nobody has so far given real figures including also the number of student who give up at LMU.
What i actually also found scandalous instructors on their first day introduction mentioning fees for ONE TO ONE tuition. Aren't they already well paid?
Best of luck to whoever is about to choose a ATPL ground school.
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: England
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canopy_gone,
I could not agree with your comments more. Whilst I was doing my ATPL's these types of comments came from students who were lazy and not at all motivated, and all they wanted to do was be spoon fed to pass the exams.
Fig and T-Key, it looks as if you are in a small minority, as LMU and Bristol most certainly do the job, they are not perfect but they get people through.
Might be an idea to channel your negative attitude into something positive to pass your CPL and IR skill tests.
I could not agree with your comments more. Whilst I was doing my ATPL's these types of comments came from students who were lazy and not at all motivated, and all they wanted to do was be spoon fed to pass the exams.
Fig and T-Key, it looks as if you are in a small minority, as LMU and Bristol most certainly do the job, they are not perfect but they get people through.
Might be an idea to channel your negative attitude into something positive to pass your CPL and IR skill tests.
Join Date: Sep 2001
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ILS Capture -Obviously you're someone who only wants to hear good things about ground schools. Just because Figair and T-key have made some negative comments about the LMU does'nt mean they have a negative attitude, if anyone has a negative comment, they should be able to air their views, if no one can say anything negative, what's the point of asking the question in the first place. I personally believe most of their comments to be accurate, most of the people who were on my course would probably agree and most of us were motivated, did'nt need the exams spoon fed and were'nt lazy. Also, figairs comment about the instructors preparing lectures with oxford notes, is true having seen this myself, almost the feedback was from oxford aswell. The only reason I went there was because it was cheap and I lived on central line. As I said in my last post-be prepared to beg/borrow/steal Bristol/Oxford notes.
HI all
I went to LGU. passed all 14, as did ALL of my class within 8 months.. so no complaints
All teachers are friendly, approachable, helpful and all will go out of their way to help you. their notes were in the process of being re-written completely when i was there and alot of work went into this.
what they teach is everything you need, not just what you need to pass the exams.. which is a bonus anywhere.
if anyone has any questions feel free to PM me
Spitty
I went to LGU. passed all 14, as did ALL of my class within 8 months.. so no complaints
All teachers are friendly, approachable, helpful and all will go out of their way to help you. their notes were in the process of being re-written completely when i was there and alot of work went into this.
what they teach is everything you need, not just what you need to pass the exams.. which is a bonus anywhere.
if anyone has any questions feel free to PM me
Spitty
Join Date: Dec 2003
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I`m currently at Leeds University on the new Aviation Technology with Pilot Studies course, and although you only get a PPL, you also get a very good degree which can be used in many parts of the aviation industry.
So far i`m really enjoying it. I`m just coming to the ed of the first semester and the work load is high compared to other Leeds courses, but next year we get 40 credits just for spending two weeks over the summer flying!!
If anyone is interested about the course and it content feel free to get in contact and i`ll try and help.
We get a bursary towards the cost of the PPL and get it for the great price of under 3000pounds! Groundschool counts both towards the degree and the PPL so it is well thought out. For all those people not interested in piloting, there is a management course running in parallel.
A word of warning though, there are 100 places per yer and last year was 470 applications! So make sure you have good A-level (or equivilant) grades!
I have two B`s in Travel and Tourism, D in German at A-levels, and have AS-Levels in Critical thinking, physics, PE and Sport and computing!
Have so far completed exams in Communications, Human Factors but have failed air law due to having flu at the same time as the exam! But second time lucky i hope!
Any way i hope this helps out some people! and feel free to get in touch.
Steve
So far i`m really enjoying it. I`m just coming to the ed of the first semester and the work load is high compared to other Leeds courses, but next year we get 40 credits just for spending two weeks over the summer flying!!
If anyone is interested about the course and it content feel free to get in contact and i`ll try and help.
We get a bursary towards the cost of the PPL and get it for the great price of under 3000pounds! Groundschool counts both towards the degree and the PPL so it is well thought out. For all those people not interested in piloting, there is a management course running in parallel.
A word of warning though, there are 100 places per yer and last year was 470 applications! So make sure you have good A-level (or equivilant) grades!
I have two B`s in Travel and Tourism, D in German at A-levels, and have AS-Levels in Critical thinking, physics, PE and Sport and computing!
Have so far completed exams in Communications, Human Factors but have failed air law due to having flu at the same time as the exam! But second time lucky i hope!
Any way i hope this helps out some people! and feel free to get in touch.
Steve
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Steve,
I too am @ Leeds but I'm on the mgmt side of things coz I already got my PPL. I wouldn't worry about the airlaw side of things, that is the most difficult by far. Just no logical ways to work out the answers!!!! Hope the resit went well - if not good luck for Monday. Just you wait till the ATPL's come along. I've got mine in January with Bristol and there study notes are pretty involved. I'm doing my night rating next week and getting a few more hours logged out of Leeds Bradford. Let me know if I can help. Just not if it's about MET, that's probaly my weakest subject at the moment. I'm working on it but there is loads to take in.
oh yeah - and for everyone with the feedback about ground schools. Surely everyone is different!! One ground school might be great for one persons learning style ect. My 2pence worth is to visit the ground school and flick through there notes even sit in on a brush up (if they let you) and decide which one is right for YOU. Take advice with a pinch of salt and witness the rumours first hand. That way there is only one person to blame if it all hits the fan.
Chow for now
SpeedBird 001 - The speediest bird there is/was
I too am @ Leeds but I'm on the mgmt side of things coz I already got my PPL. I wouldn't worry about the airlaw side of things, that is the most difficult by far. Just no logical ways to work out the answers!!!! Hope the resit went well - if not good luck for Monday. Just you wait till the ATPL's come along. I've got mine in January with Bristol and there study notes are pretty involved. I'm doing my night rating next week and getting a few more hours logged out of Leeds Bradford. Let me know if I can help. Just not if it's about MET, that's probaly my weakest subject at the moment. I'm working on it but there is loads to take in.
oh yeah - and for everyone with the feedback about ground schools. Surely everyone is different!! One ground school might be great for one persons learning style ect. My 2pence worth is to visit the ground school and flick through there notes even sit in on a brush up (if they let you) and decide which one is right for YOU. Take advice with a pinch of salt and witness the rumours first hand. That way there is only one person to blame if it all hits the fan.
Chow for now
SpeedBird 001 - The speediest bird there is/was