Calling all OAT and BRS G/S and Alex W

[Somedaymaybe]

Guys,

I have just been looking at both OAT and BRS Gs websites and I have worked out that with the new course prices and such that currently it stands as listed below, pls take into consideration that i have included all costs i.e week crammer course and CAA fees!(astronomical!)

OAT = £2445
BRS G/s = £2650

Pls guys i need serious comments or PMs, what i would like to know is, would i be better having OAT on my CV or BRS as the cost seems not to be much of an issue due to the minimal difference. What are the manuals like and quality of instruction, I know that Alex W is a good guy from what i gather and has invested time and effort into BRS comments welcome????

SDM

[Superpilot]

Assume your talking about Distance Learning?

I was up against the same decision. Had to go with OATs in the end for the simple reason that to be considered for their 'Waypoint' Modular Training programme, you have to do the ATPL Theory with them. Although I can see their point regarding completing all your training with the same FTO. It's silly really, because they allow Distance Learning, then why the does it matter where I 'Distance Learn' I must €$£ ?

If it wasn't for the above I would've probably chosen BGS due to the praise they get (teaching style, content etc). I would weigh this slightly above having Oxford on my CV, because, after all, I would be on the Distance Learning course not full time classes.

[scroggs]

Which school you do your distance learning through is irrelevant to your CV. In fact, I would look somewhat askance at anyone who included details of their ATPL groundschool provider on their CV! The exams are the same whoever provides the teaching material...

Scroggs

[Dude~]

Go for the best provider.

[Glide Perfectionist]

Scroggs

Yes it may be irrelevant who you do groundschool with, but if a candidate is looking for a school to complete all the training with then maybe the initial choice does become important.

I would say to anyone be carefull and if OAT is a first choice (I did my groundschool distance learning there) then make sure that there is some committment to take you all the way, because I found out that policy can change very quickly and leave you high and dry!

[Alex Whittingham]

....er, our course fees are £1900 all in but the CAA fees are £55 a paper which, I suppose, gets you to your totals. The online question bank, which is not required for the course, is an extra £50 for 3 months. Most others, except GTS, are around £1700 for distance learning. OAT recently chopped their DL fees by 25% from £2200 odd, presumably to compete with the cheapies.

Full time courses in the UK start at around £2600. Cabair and OAT are reasonably price matched, from memory, in what is a very competitive market. Most of the smaller full time schools without government subsidy have given up but I think Naples also still do a full time course, so do BCFT. You can still go to London and Glasgow Universities for subsidised full time courses.

Scroggs is entirely correct. No-one cares where you go. Choose a school that you are comfortable with and work hard.

[lostintranslational]

I am an ex BGS student and I would agree with what has already been said. I cannot compare OAT set up as I never went there (or considered them), however I can say with BGS that I achieved 1st time passes in all exams (thereby keeping the cost minimal) I can, through experience, say that BGS has a very experienced group of instructors who know how to cram in all the necessary information regardless of your background, experience etc. I have recommended Bristol to a number of my friends and colleagues and those who have taken up the advice have similarly strong feelings about the flawless standard of instruction they received. As was said before though, not worth getting into a war over it as no-one (apart from your bank manager) gives a flying one when it comes to the bit.

Best of luck wherever you go!

Alex, do the very lovely maidens 'still' have very useful sewing equipment? And has Baz still got his annoyingly oversized (piece of) CR*P - at least is that still what he tells all the ladies!

[Deano777]

Yes the big piece of CR*P is still there, I attended the Oct brush-up with Mod1 exams finishing today, I wanted to take that CRP5 into the exams to see the faces of the other students, priceless

As has been stated above I cannot comment on the other schools excellence but I will say that the Bristol Instructors are seriously good, they do know their stuff (as you would expect) and their teaching techniques I found to be excellent & light hearted coupled with rather alot of homework as for whether Bristol worked for me? I'll let you know in 2 weeks

[mad_jock]

very lovely maidens

being present

Well thats as good a reason to choose a ground school as any. If you also get a nice friendly answer on the phone when you ring asking for information. The choice is made.

I am not joking by the way there is that little in it these days between all the ground school providers.

[Parson]

I too narrowed my choice of groundschool down to BGS and OATS. I chose BGS on personal recommendation and have no regrets. Have since met many people who have been there and never heard a bad word about the school. In contrast have heard good and bad about OATS.

Bristol is a small(ish) school with a friendly atmosphere and great instructors and you'll enjoy your time there if you go. However the choice of school won't get you results, very hard work will.