ATPL theory- how long does it take?
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Distance learning - pro's, cons, disasters and how long!
Hello All
Could any of you guys that have done the course give me any rough time lines for completing the ATPL's distance learning whilst doing a 9-5 mon-fri job.
How many hours a day were you putting in? and did you find it feasible.
Cheers
Could any of you guys that have done the course give me any rough time lines for completing the ATPL's distance learning whilst doing a 9-5 mon-fri job.
How many hours a day were you putting in? and did you find it feasible.
Cheers
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 117
Likes: 1
From: Gods waiting room!
12 months split into 2 lots of 7 subjects. 2 hours per night mon-fri.
4 hours each sat and sun.
Lots of day dreaming, frustration, boredom. etc.
You can do it at your pace, it takes what it takes.
Good luck.
4 hours each sat and sun.
Lots of day dreaming, frustration, boredom. etc.
You can do it at your pace, it takes what it takes.
Good luck.
Supercharged PPRuNer
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 15
From: Doon the watter, a million miles from the sandpit.
Took me around 13 months, reading notes while commuting to work and doing 2-3 hours studying Monday to Thursday evenings, and all day Sunday. I treated myself to Friday nights and Saturdays off.
I did them with BGS, so 8 subjects in module 1 and 6 in mod 2, with a total of 6 weeks off work for the brush-up courses and exams.
With commuting, I do a 12-hour day, and my work is quite intense, so if I can manage to study ATPLs at the same time, anyone can. The big advantage is being able to study at your own pace, the disadvantages (apart from the length of time it takes) are that sometimes – after a long day at work - it can be very difficult to motivate yourself, and working alone means you don’t have many shoulders to cry on. You wouldn’t have these problems in a full-time classroom environment.
I did them with BGS, so 8 subjects in module 1 and 6 in mod 2, with a total of 6 weeks off work for the brush-up courses and exams.
With commuting, I do a 12-hour day, and my work is quite intense, so if I can manage to study ATPLs at the same time, anyone can. The big advantage is being able to study at your own pace, the disadvantages (apart from the length of time it takes) are that sometimes – after a long day at work - it can be very difficult to motivate yourself, and working alone means you don’t have many shoulders to cry on. You wouldn’t have these problems in a full-time classroom environment.
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Bristol
ATPL theory- how long did it take you?
Hi all,
I'm looking to get my ATPLs out of the way in the summer following graduation (aero engineering). I'm going to study a distance learning course (probably BGS) and I'd be interested to see how long its taken people to study full time. Looking at the course notes, given that cramming is something i'm very current at, and that I could avoid having a job for a short period of time, I'd like to think I could complete them in around 3 months- has anyone done this? I feel a challenge coming on!
cheers
stick
I'm looking to get my ATPLs out of the way in the summer following graduation (aero engineering). I'm going to study a distance learning course (probably BGS) and I'd be interested to see how long its taken people to study full time. Looking at the course notes, given that cramming is something i'm very current at, and that I could avoid having a job for a short period of time, I'd like to think I could complete them in around 3 months- has anyone done this? I feel a challenge coming on!
cheers
stick
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: UK
Completing the ATPL theory exams in 3 months of actual study time is quite possible but it's certainly hard work. However don't confuse actual study time with total time taken.
For example:
I spent about 11-12 weeks studying the books at home. However the total time from start to finish was 5 months.
Why? Firstly you have to take in to account the actual time to sit the exams, that's one week per module. Then factor in the two brush-up courses at Bristol. Add them both together and that's 6 weeks. This assumes you get the dates that you want for the brush-ups. Bristol is a busy place and many people book months in advance. I couldn't get one of the dates I wanted which added 2 more weeks to the process. And just like that my 3 months became 5 months.
It could be done in 3 months total time but you would need a lot of ability, determination, luck and forward planning.
P.S
I would recommend Bristol Ground School without hesitation - the best in the business by far.
For example:
I spent about 11-12 weeks studying the books at home. However the total time from start to finish was 5 months.
Why? Firstly you have to take in to account the actual time to sit the exams, that's one week per module. Then factor in the two brush-up courses at Bristol. Add them both together and that's 6 weeks. This assumes you get the dates that you want for the brush-ups. Bristol is a busy place and many people book months in advance. I couldn't get one of the dates I wanted which added 2 more weeks to the process. And just like that my 3 months became 5 months.
It could be done in 3 months total time but you would need a lot of ability, determination, luck and forward planning.
P.S
I would recommend Bristol Ground School without hesitation - the best in the business by far.
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: IOW
How much time needed for ATPL'S?
I've just decided to take the plunge and start my ATPL'S but i'm not sure how much study time is needed, i'm working full time and also studying for a degree with the OU - will i have enough time to study everything or should i put one or the other on hold and concentrate on one thing at a time? Any help/advice will be appreciated :-)
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Glasgow
atpls time
I wouldn't even consider doing a full time job, the ou and the ATPLs at the same time, I did a full time course at the Guildhall with, I guess, a typical bunch of aspirants and anyone who didn't have 99% attendance didn't even get a partial. I'm sure you could study in your spare time but I preferred the security of the full time course, and the ability to ask questions all the time. Even with the full time course I've never studied so hard in my life and I am also a ships Captain so used to that sort of thing.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 713
Likes: 0
From: uk
It is just a matter of organisation. I have very full time job (sometimes it seems like 2 jobs). I have completed the first phase of the ATPL with an average pass of 91%. I spent about 5 months on the phase.
To be honest, its not too difficult - just that there is a lot of ground to cover much of it superficial and banal.
At the age of 52 as well and it being 30 years since I last did any formal study, I coped OK.
To be honest, its not too difficult - just that there is a lot of ground to cover much of it superficial and banal.
At the age of 52 as well and it being 30 years since I last did any formal study, I coped OK.
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
From: UK
I held down a full time job while studying for my ATPL's, and did them all in 12 months. I doubt I could have done a degree at the same time though, in fact I know I couldn't. I completed a HND with the option of a further year's study to gain a degree. The extra "degree" year would have been at the same time as I wanted to do my ATPL studies, so I opted for the ATPL's.
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: The Desert but shortly to be HK!)
As I have posted before I'm working full time in the city doing 60-70 hours weeks and have 10 down all passed first time with high average... just the 4 to go... will have taken 12 months in total. It is possible you just have to be prepared to give up a bit of spare time... go for it and good luck
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: IOW
can u guys who have done this already clear something up for me? if i pay my money and get all the books sent to me how long have i got b4 i need to start taking any exams? can i leave it as long as i need to or is the course structured to take a certain amount of time? also can i take the exams one at a time or does it need to be block 1 then block 2,
i was thinking about getting all the books and making a slow start while i finish of my ou course then hitting the books properly in abt sep,
(am thinking abt either oxford or bristol)
cheers
i was thinking about getting all the books and making a slow start while i finish of my ou course then hitting the books properly in abt sep,
(am thinking abt either oxford or bristol)
cheers
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 0
From: UK
You can sit your first exam/s whenever you feel ready to, its entirely up to you. Once you take your first sitting then the clock starts ticking(18 months from then to finish the remaining exams. You are allowed a total of six sittings therefore you cannot do one exam at a time. Most people try and do them over two or three sittings, leaving spare sittings for any resits. I did mine over 3 sittings(4 subjects, 4 subjects and then the remaining 6.)
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Essex
Vectis Lady - its all about your own abilitys and your own personal organisation. Don't take anyones advice too seriously - as only you know your own abilities.
You can take as long as you want till the first exam, but the clock starts ticking from the first sitting.
FWIW, I did mine at london met distance learning, had a baby (well my wife did), a full time job and finished off a Research thesis for my Masters degree all at the same time - alot of work, but it all comes down to motivation and organisation.
The whole course took me about 9 months from April '05 till jan '06 and I got a 98% average. However I put alot of work in and put the rest of my life on hold (apart from the baby thing
).
I'm now flying 757's for a living (aged 36 - me, not the 'planes!) so it is all worth the effort.
You can take as long as you want till the first exam, but the clock starts ticking from the first sitting.
FWIW, I did mine at london met distance learning, had a baby (well my wife did), a full time job and finished off a Research thesis for my Masters degree all at the same time - alot of work, but it all comes down to motivation and organisation.
The whole course took me about 9 months from April '05 till jan '06 and I got a 98% average. However I put alot of work in and put the rest of my life on hold (apart from the baby thing
).I'm now flying 757's for a living (aged 36 - me, not the 'planes!) so it is all worth the effort.
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
From: UK
I am currently studying module one of Bristol Ground School (excellent material) I would say on average per week I am doing between 20-25hrs study and one frame per week (there are 14 frames, so that would put module one at 3.5 months roughly) Of course everyone has different abilities and speed of learning, so its a very subjective thing.
You will have days where it becomes tedious and dry and you end up doing not that much over a period of time (lots of messing around on the net etc - its amazing what you can find to do if you are trying to avoid studying!!)
I would say if you are disciplined and can spare 15hrs a week, a ball park figure of 9-10 months is not unrealistic.
You will have days where it becomes tedious and dry and you end up doing not that much over a period of time (lots of messing around on the net etc - its amazing what you can find to do if you are trying to avoid studying!!)
I would say if you are disciplined and can spare 15hrs a week, a ball park figure of 9-10 months is not unrealistic.
