How much do you really need to know

[123dec45]

Post man to the door with a big box recently, hurrah I recd my bound manuals from BGS but was aghast at how much info you are presented with to get through the ATPL, not looking for shortcuts, honest but I dont suppose I realised, how much there was to learn-pretty scary! But how much of what is presented are you likey to be questioned on during the exams. I remember from school(Such a long time ago) that the syllabus for a subject was agreed a long time in advance, and was very broad when only a small proportion of what you learnt was required to pass the exams, obviously the key is knowing what is going to be asked!

The manual set goes into great detail on some subjects, but seems to skip other areas, maybe they get revisited later ? I am primarily thinking of the various equations etc., is this a daft question, not sure I suppose but for starters, I would like to know: do you need to learn each line verbatim ? or simpy understand the principles ?

thanks for any thoughts advice,
cheers

[powdermonkey]

Hi,
Read and understand as much as you can, you probably won't understand EVERYTHING, but do your best, put your questions to the tutors on-line, do the progress tests as you go, get on-line and do questions on the Bristol Question Bank, try not to get too bogged down on each minute detail.
Do lots and lots of questions and you will find that you get comfortable with the subject and the type of questions which will be asked for the exams.
It is very daunting at first, and remains daunting until you pass the 1st module and realise it is possible. Don't give up, you will have hair pulling, teeth gnashing moments, but then, take a wee break and go back to it later.
Best of luck, I am nearly finished and never thought it possible!!!

[helicopter-redeye]

Like all exams (ALL EXAMS) it starts with a big box and when you get to the exam hall you have consolidated the formulae into 2 pages of easy to remember A4 , and the various rules and rememberalls into memory via lost of practical question practice.

[Northern Highflyer]

Try to learn it all. The progress tests are designed to ensure you have a good general understanding of the material before the brush up course. Then when you get on the brush up the tutors will build on what you already know.

Some areas are tested more than others in the exams, but these change and the guys at Bristol will guide you on what seems to be the current "popular" areas when you go on the brush up. Don't try to second guess and miss something out as this will be the one thing that is guaranteed to pop up in your exam. There were some sections that I was never tested on but that is probably just the luck of the draw on the day.

[Parson]

It can look daunting when you start, but don't worry. One thing about BGS notes is that they are very readable and cut out a lot of the padding that others seem to have.

For the 'mathematical' type exams, which from memory include instruments, gen nav, mass & balance, performance, you will need to understand the principles and be to apply them. For others eg radio nav, air law, HP, Comms, AGK, there is alot of material to learn 'parrot fashion', which personally for me was the hardest bit. For some of this I made up silly stories or rhymes, which really do work - 4 years later I can still remember everything you'll need to know about fire extinguishers, but have forgotten all alot of the stuff I crammed the night before on other things.

If you think you're struggling at any point, give Alex a ring - he'll tell you what really need to know.

[DickPilot]

You can also buy additional material from ebay. I found that looking at other FTO's notes etc often helped me understand some of the more complex stuff just because it explains the same thing but in a different way!