ATPL theory- how long does it take?
Guest
Posts: n/a
Only done Mod 1 so far and that took about 4 months with Bristol. My advice would be to not get too bogged down with it. Do enough to get 85(ish)% in the progress tests. The brush up course will hammer the rest into you properly. Momentum is the key! Non of it is difficult, just lots of facts, figures, tables and equations to learn.
During the brush-up course, try and do all the homework set for you - this will mean working every night to 12-1am but I assure you that will need to! You will be remarkably slick after the brush-up so long as you do ALL the homework!!
Contrary to FIS's advice, get the exams in the week following. I would not leave a gap as you need to keep on top of things for the three week brush-up and exam period. Just chill afterwards
During the brush-up course, try and do all the homework set for you - this will mean working every night to 12-1am but I assure you that will need to! You will be remarkably slick after the brush-up so long as you do ALL the homework!!
Contrary to FIS's advice, get the exams in the week following. I would not leave a gap as you need to keep on top of things for the three week brush-up and exam period. Just chill afterwards
Why do it if it's not fun?
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,782
Likes: 12
From: Bournemouth
How long is a piece of string? It really depends on what other commitments you have, and how much time each week you can dedicate to your studying.
It took me 12 months exactly. That was whilst holding down a full-time job, studying evenings and weekends. It's obviously possible to do it much quicker than that if you're not working, and it can take much longer if you have a family as well as a job.
Good luck!
FFF
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It took me 12 months exactly. That was whilst holding down a full-time job, studying evenings and weekends. It's obviously possible to do it much quicker than that if you're not working, and it can take much longer if you have a family as well as a job.
Good luck!
FFF
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 379
Likes: 4
From: Sale
The reason for the 3 weeks gap is so that you can get as close to 100% doing the feedback.
Living in Manchester it would have been a 200 mile return journey North or South if I had to resit any exam.
For me, failing an exam by one mark by answering one question wrong that I already had in the feedback would have been too much for me to take
Also another tip I can recommend is, just before you go into the exam have a single page of relevent facts that you really struggle to remember and write them down from your refreshed memory the first thing after the exam starts. i.e. stuff like DME frequencies or PFD colours arrrggghhh
FIS.
Living in Manchester it would have been a 200 mile return journey North or South if I had to resit any exam.
For me, failing an exam by one mark by answering one question wrong that I already had in the feedback would have been too much for me to take
Also another tip I can recommend is, just before you go into the exam have a single page of relevent facts that you really struggle to remember and write them down from your refreshed memory the first thing after the exam starts. i.e. stuff like DME frequencies or PFD colours arrrggghhh
FIS.
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: uk
18 months...and at a relax speed.
ATP with Bristol is a peace of cake. a Joke!!!
pass all exam first attempt. I have not open one of their binders except to do the progress test, if you learn their feedback questions you will pass with a 99%pass.
Noone asks you to know the subject. Just tick the box.The CAA doesnt care if you understand or not aviation(most questions and topics are useless in the real life) .it is why they have chosen multi choice questions.
ATP with Bristol is a peace of cake. a Joke!!!
pass all exam first attempt. I have not open one of their binders except to do the progress test, if you learn their feedback questions you will pass with a 99%pass.
Noone asks you to know the subject. Just tick the box.The CAA doesnt care if you understand or not aviation(most questions and topics are useless in the real life) .it is why they have chosen multi choice questions.
Why do it if it's not fun?
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,782
Likes: 12
From: Bournemouth
Please - whatever else you do, ignore Skyman68's advice to not open the folders and just do the feedback.
There are two reasons why I say this. The first is that, as soon as a new question appears, you're screwed... especially if it's very similar to a question you've seen before. The second is that, although most of the syllabus is not relevant to real-life flying, there are a few bits which are. So whether you're looking to be a good pilot, or "just" to pass the exams, it's a bad idea either way.
Feedback is very good for two things: checking you understand the subject well enough to be worth doing the exam, and getting into the "right way of thinking". The only exception to this is Air Law, which you can't learn any way except for doing feedback.
FFF
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There are two reasons why I say this. The first is that, as soon as a new question appears, you're screwed... especially if it's very similar to a question you've seen before. The second is that, although most of the syllabus is not relevant to real-life flying, there are a few bits which are. So whether you're looking to be a good pilot, or "just" to pass the exams, it's a bad idea either way.
Feedback is very good for two things: checking you understand the subject well enough to be worth doing the exam, and getting into the "right way of thinking". The only exception to this is Air Law, which you can't learn any way except for doing feedback.
FFF
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: UK
Took me 14 months with Oxford - distance learning. I didn't feel that I was rushed, although I was working 12 hour days at the time so only had a few hours each evening to study - plus weekends. I actually studied in the office at weekends so felt like I never left the place!
I echo FFF's comments though - try to work hard to understand the material - you're going to need to use it one day and you're spending a lot of money for the course so you may as well get as much value out of it as you can.
Hufty.
I echo FFF's comments though - try to work hard to understand the material - you're going to need to use it one day and you're spending a lot of money for the course so you may as well get as much value out of it as you can.
Hufty.
Guest
Posts: n/a
My gleaming module 1 folders arrived this morning. I guess that's my free time tied for the next 8-12 months.
"Darling, cancel the Pattersons. I'm affraid I wont be able to make it!!"
Hope it comes to me as quick as you guys. Been looking at the MET and it made me feel a little queezy
But the instruments section. Now that's what I'm talking about
I am at uni full time (if there is such an excuse) and will be putting a few hours a night and weekends in. It parrellells my course so should get through it o.k. Will let you know in due course
Chow for now
Birdseed
"Darling, cancel the Pattersons. I'm affraid I wont be able to make it!!"
Hope it comes to me as quick as you guys. Been looking at the MET and it made me feel a little queezy
But the instruments section. Now that's what I'm talking about
I am at uni full time (if there is such an excuse) and will be putting a few hours a night and weekends in. It parrellells my course so should get through it o.k. Will let you know in due course
Chow for now
Birdseed
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: ubique
Boeing 737-800 full motion sim flightdeck......
Training Captain:
Right, reduced thrust take-off. You've programmed the FMS, inserted relevent ephemera into PERF INIT, ........correct?
Skyman68:
Have I !!!!, just pressed a few random buttons in a random order....this feckin thing'll fly itself.
One year later, Boeing 737-800 on finals.......
Passengers:
.......(screaming)........
Training Captain:
Right, reduced thrust take-off. You've programmed the FMS, inserted relevent ephemera into PERF INIT, ........correct?
Skyman68:
Have I !!!!, just pressed a few random buttons in a random order....this feckin thing'll fly itself.
One year later, Boeing 737-800 on finals.......
Passengers:
.......(screaming)........
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Answer is too long. I am finding www.iwannabeapilot.com is helping.
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: N/A
Simple answer is - yes.
I started mine in July 2001 and finished in October 2001. I've known people ot do it in a month. Remember it's only a 45 hour (minimum) course and it's quite realistic to complete it in that time, wether permitting. Even if you do it at weekends and can get an average of a couple of hours per weekend, it's not going to take all that long.
Allow time for studying for the written exams (bad weather days are good for this) and get them out of the way as soon as you can.
As for costs, it's sensible to think of around £6000. That will cover your lessons plus equipment, test fees etc.
If the 2.5 hours you have done were with an instructor, you can count them towards the 45 hours of the course.
I started mine in July 2001 and finished in October 2001. I've known people ot do it in a month. Remember it's only a 45 hour (minimum) course and it's quite realistic to complete it in that time, wether permitting. Even if you do it at weekends and can get an average of a couple of hours per weekend, it's not going to take all that long.
Allow time for studying for the written exams (bad weather days are good for this) and get them out of the way as soon as you can.
As for costs, it's sensible to think of around £6000. That will cover your lessons plus equipment, test fees etc.
If the 2.5 hours you have done were with an instructor, you can count them towards the 45 hours of the course.
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: South UK
How long has it taken u guys to fATPL?
Hi all,
Just wondered how long its taken people to complete the CPL/IR (fATPL) on the modular route. I started when I was 18........7yrs on & i've just got the IR to do, not debt...yet
Just wondered how long its taken people to complete the CPL/IR (fATPL) on the modular route. I started when I was 18........7yrs on & i've just got the IR to do, not debt...yet
Why do it if it's not fun?
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,782
Likes: 12
From: Bournemouth
Asking how long people take to do a modular fATPL without asking for more details is unlikely to show anything interesting or useful without more information.
Me... I started flying in 2000, but not with any intention of going on to get an fATPL. Got my PPL in July 2001, decided in October 2001 to get the fATPL. (Yes, I know... comments on my timing not required!) Completed exams in Feb 2003, CPL in November 2003, Instructor rating in May 2004. The reason it's taken me so long is because I did it all part-time, holding down a full-time job at the same time, and using my holidays for exams and training. I also paced myself to ensure that I could do my training without getting into debt. Had I not had a full-time job, and had I saved up the cash in advance, it would have taken me far less time to get this far.
Current plans are to do the IR in the first half of 2005, and the MCC in the latter half of 2005. I will need to borrow some money to finance this - the money will come from the equity in my property, either by re-mortgaging or possibly selling, so I will still have no debt other than a mortgage.
FFF
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Me... I started flying in 2000, but not with any intention of going on to get an fATPL. Got my PPL in July 2001, decided in October 2001 to get the fATPL. (Yes, I know... comments on my timing not required!) Completed exams in Feb 2003, CPL in November 2003, Instructor rating in May 2004. The reason it's taken me so long is because I did it all part-time, holding down a full-time job at the same time, and using my holidays for exams and training. I also paced myself to ensure that I could do my training without getting into debt. Had I not had a full-time job, and had I saved up the cash in advance, it would have taken me far less time to get this far.
Current plans are to do the IR in the first half of 2005, and the MCC in the latter half of 2005. I will need to borrow some money to finance this - the money will come from the equity in my property, either by re-mortgaging or possibly selling, so I will still have no debt other than a mortgage.
FFF
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Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 690
Likes: 8
From: UK
364 days from the start of my ATPL groundschool to passing my CPL test, which I did after my IR.
That includes getting an FAA CPL/IR and about 2-3 months of getting rat-arsed and partying. Add 2 weeks for an MCC and about 4 weeks for a PPL, which I got a long time ago.
And you can add to that another 5-6 weeks for an instructor's rating, which I intend to start in January because I still don't have a job 2 months after getting my licence issued!!!
WX.
That includes getting an FAA CPL/IR and about 2-3 months of getting rat-arsed and partying. Add 2 weeks for an MCC and about 4 weeks for a PPL, which I got a long time ago.
And you can add to that another 5-6 weeks for an instructor's rating, which I intend to start in January because I still don't have a job 2 months after getting my licence issued!!!
WX.