JAA ATPL Theory Study
Supercharged PPRuNer
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Welcome to Pprune 13375p34k – not bad for a first post!
Like many theory exams, the ATPLs are probably as big a test of motivation as ability. So yes, if you are not motivated to study, you will certainly find them harder.
But – I was highly motivated, and some sections of General Nav and Instruments (Gyros in particular) had me banging my head on the wall and losing the will to live. It wasn’t for the lack of trying, I just couldn’t get some of it into my head. (Still managed 98% in General Nav exam though.)
So no, I don’t agree with your rather simplistic assertion
Discuss.
Like many theory exams, the ATPLs are probably as big a test of motivation as ability. So yes, if you are not motivated to study, you will certainly find them harder.
But – I was highly motivated, and some sections of General Nav and Instruments (Gyros in particular) had me banging my head on the wall and losing the will to live. It wasn’t for the lack of trying, I just couldn’t get some of it into my head. (Still managed 98% in General Nav exam though.)
So no, I don’t agree with your rather simplistic assertion
Discuss.
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Sorry to deviate slightly, but just to re-iterate the last but one poster here, can anybody indicate the approximate amount of questions for each subject and time allowed (i.e. subject, least questions, time allowed, subject, most questions, time allowed)
I have just been banging my head against the wall doing progress tests in Gen.Nav chart plotting and the bl**dy things were taking me a fair amount of time per question to complete (my head feels numb now!)
I have just been banging my head against the wall doing progress tests in Gen.Nav chart plotting and the bl**dy things were taking me a fair amount of time per question to complete (my head feels numb now!)
Supercharged PPRuNer
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I don't have all my feedback notes to hand, so here's a partial answer. (All errors due to memory loss induced by post-exam refreshments)
Principles of Flight
1hr, approx 44 questions
Aircraft General Knowledge
2hrs, approx 99 questions
Performance
1hr, approx 34 questions
Ops Procedures
1hr20, approx 50 questions
Radio Nav
1hr30, approx 59 questions
Law
1hr40, approx 75 questions
Mass & Balance
1hr
Instruments
1hr30
Flight Planning
3hrs
General Nav
2hrs
Meteorology
2hrs30
Human Performance
1hr
VFR Comms
30 mins
IFR Comms
30 mins
Time is not an issue on most of the 'general knowledge' exams, as you either know the answer or you don't - one of my group set a new World record by finishing VFR comms in 2 1/2 minutes.
Questions involving calculation or plotting slow you down, but the marks are weighted in favour of these questions, and the time allowed is usually adequate. The only exception seemed to be General Nav, which many people struggled to finish. Probably not what you wanted to hear, but by the time you have finished the groundschool brush-up you'll be doing these exams in your sleep, so you'll be well prepared.
Principles of Flight
1hr, approx 44 questions
Aircraft General Knowledge
2hrs, approx 99 questions
Performance
1hr, approx 34 questions
Ops Procedures
1hr20, approx 50 questions
Radio Nav
1hr30, approx 59 questions
Law
1hr40, approx 75 questions
Mass & Balance
1hr
Instruments
1hr30
Flight Planning
3hrs
General Nav
2hrs
Meteorology
2hrs30
Human Performance
1hr
VFR Comms
30 mins
IFR Comms
30 mins
Time is not an issue on most of the 'general knowledge' exams, as you either know the answer or you don't - one of my group set a new World record by finishing VFR comms in 2 1/2 minutes.
Questions involving calculation or plotting slow you down, but the marks are weighted in favour of these questions, and the time allowed is usually adequate. The only exception seemed to be General Nav, which many people struggled to finish. Probably not what you wanted to hear, but by the time you have finished the groundschool brush-up you'll be doing these exams in your sleep, so you'll be well prepared.
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Morse Code
Is that a true statement that Morse is no longer tested? I imagine it's a very useful "tool" when identing stuff.
Probably good airmanship to learn it well, even if no longer part of the ATPL syllabus.
Camel Toe
"Over Macho Grande?"
Probably good airmanship to learn it well, even if no longer part of the ATPL syllabus.
Camel Toe
"Over Macho Grande?"
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Studying from Oxford aviation ATPL books
Hi all!
I am hoping someone can help me out on this one:
I am still doing my practical flight training for the ppl part and have already passed the theory exams. I have now purchased the ATPL books from oxford aviation in order to start studying for that already(I will be doing distance learning).
Problem is, got the books but have no idea where/how to start. I know that there is a "study diary" or something like that, that shows you what to aim for everyday?
Can anyone help me out on this? copy of this diary/schedule?
confused...
Thanks a lot!
I am hoping someone can help me out on this one:
I am still doing my practical flight training for the ppl part and have already passed the theory exams. I have now purchased the ATPL books from oxford aviation in order to start studying for that already(I will be doing distance learning).
Problem is, got the books but have no idea where/how to start. I know that there is a "study diary" or something like that, that shows you what to aim for everyday?
Can anyone help me out on this? copy of this diary/schedule?
confused...
Thanks a lot!
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Have you just bought the books or have you enrolled on a specific course which is actually required in order to sit the exams ?. Simply buying all the books is not sufficient, you have to be enrolled on a recognised course and the course info should provide you with a study guide.
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Hi again! well, I only bought the books because I cannot yet actually enroll on the distance learning course since I have not yet finished the practical part of the PPL. But as I do not want to "waste" the time I have right now, I decided to start studying already from the books, what I am missing though is this "studying scheme/diary".... I think that would make it easier to assess my own progress..
any ideas??
thanks!
any ideas??
thanks!
Supercharged PPRuNer
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I had the same idea nanocas, but I found it didn’t work very well in practice.
The problem is that the ATPLs cover such a vast array of subjects, and in such detail, that you would be swamped if you tried to read up on everything beforehand. An even if you picked only one subject, you would still need to focus on the bits that are relevant to (a) the syllabus and (b) the exam. That’s where the structured course comes in – when you start the course the study pack will guide you on which subjects to study and in what order.
Background reading will not do you any harm, but bear in mind that a lot of information needs to be learnt for the exam, and can safely be forgotten afterwards (e.g. the minimum size of registration letters on an airship, or the orbital altitude of GPS satellites).
Personally I would enjoy finishing the PPL, then through yourself into the ATPLs once you can focus on them without any other distractions.
The problem is that the ATPLs cover such a vast array of subjects, and in such detail, that you would be swamped if you tried to read up on everything beforehand. An even if you picked only one subject, you would still need to focus on the bits that are relevant to (a) the syllabus and (b) the exam. That’s where the structured course comes in – when you start the course the study pack will guide you on which subjects to study and in what order.
Background reading will not do you any harm, but bear in mind that a lot of information needs to be learnt for the exam, and can safely be forgotten afterwards (e.g. the minimum size of registration letters on an airship, or the orbital altitude of GPS satellites).
Personally I would enjoy finishing the PPL, then through yourself into the ATPLs once you can focus on them without any other distractions.
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Tnaks G SXTY, I have found exactly what you have mentioned! Not having the guide, I have just picked up one subject to start with (performance and planning 1) started studying but find it quite annoying at some stages as I come across theory or simply names that I am totally not familiar with which must be explained in some other book, or part of a book, which I should have probably read before.... so I do get stuck sometimes. I would love to just sit back and wait until I have finished the practical part of the ppl (theory done already), but I am 32 already and feel that I should hurry things up a bit if I am ever going to take a chance at this new career
I have sent an email to the chief ground instructor at my flying school with the humble request for a study pack, that was a month ago and i had no reply yet...
I have sent an email to the chief ground instructor at my flying school with the humble request for a study pack, that was a month ago and i had no reply yet...
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Hey nanocas
If you want to get a structured start, these are the first few frames from the OAT distance learning course. You wont have the COAP papers though yet, but gets you going in the right order...
Ph1/01 - Instruments Ch1-9, book 5, subject 1
Principles of flight Ch1-4, book 13
Ph1/02 - Hydraulics Ch1, book 2, subject 2
DC electrics Ch1-4, book 3, subject 1
Ph1/03 - Principles of flight Ch5-8, book 13
Landing gear Ch1-4, book2, subject 3
That should keep you busy for a couple of weeks!
Cheers
Wodka!
If you want to get a structured start, these are the first few frames from the OAT distance learning course. You wont have the COAP papers though yet, but gets you going in the right order...
Ph1/01 - Instruments Ch1-9, book 5, subject 1
Principles of flight Ch1-4, book 13
Ph1/02 - Hydraulics Ch1, book 2, subject 2
DC electrics Ch1-4, book 3, subject 1
Ph1/03 - Principles of flight Ch5-8, book 13
Landing gear Ch1-4, book2, subject 3
That should keep you busy for a couple of weeks!
Cheers
Wodka!
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HEY! Thanks a lot Wodka!! That is certainly going to help me a lot!!! great!, as soon as I have finished with that part (in about a week....hehe) I will be asking you for the rest!!!!
This makes a lot more sense to me now! thanks!
This makes a lot more sense to me now! thanks!
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Atpl Theory Distance In 9 Months???? Help Me
Im leaving in greece and i want to start the atpl theory in distance from bristol.what is the minimum requirements for the time.they have tell me that it is 9 months minimum.this is true?????? please help me.
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Read LASORS mate, all the rules of the game are in there if you want to do it under the UK CAA. Its readily available from the CAA website.
Also read the big sticky at the top of this forum and find out how the whole system works as it appears you are probably missing something along the way if you think that 9 months is unrealistic to sit 14 exams, travel to the UK for a min of 2 brush up courses of 2-3 weeks each followed by 2 exam sittings of 7 papers in each and of course pass everything first time.
Also read the big sticky at the top of this forum and find out how the whole system works as it appears you are probably missing something along the way if you think that 9 months is unrealistic to sit 14 exams, travel to the UK for a min of 2 brush up courses of 2-3 weeks each followed by 2 exam sittings of 7 papers in each and of course pass everything first time.
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Hey nanocas! If you are reading ahead on the ATPL I would recomend you start with "Principles of Flight". Performance is based on that subject and alot of stuf from PoF show up in other subjects as well. So dont start with Performance, that will only confuse you.
I would also recomend that you read the easier subjects like "VFR/IFR Com", "Mass and Balance" and "Human Performance".
When time comes get a good qestion bank, not Aerosolutions Abacus (it was good for practising but very few official questions), that will save a lot of time.
I am sorry to say that the time when you study ATPL will not be the best of your life, but on the other hand when you finnish things will look alot brighter. Belive me, I know, I just finnished my exams this friday.
regards
D.
I would also recomend that you read the easier subjects like "VFR/IFR Com", "Mass and Balance" and "Human Performance".
When time comes get a good qestion bank, not Aerosolutions Abacus (it was good for practising but very few official questions), that will save a lot of time.
I am sorry to say that the time when you study ATPL will not be the best of your life, but on the other hand when you finnish things will look alot brighter. Belive me, I know, I just finnished my exams this friday.
regards
D.
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Hi Degothia, thanks for the tips! and congratulations on finishing your studies! how long did it take you? I quit my day job as an auditor to do this, but still don't have so much free time with 3 children and husband to take care of!!! 
I know the studying will not be easy.. it took me 5-6 months for the ppl theory...and that seems a lot less than the kilometers of books I am looking at for the ATPL!
Cheers!
I know the studying will not be easy.. it took me 5-6 months for the ppl theory...and that seems a lot less than the kilometers of books I am looking at for the ATPL!
Cheers!
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It tock me forever to finish my ATPLs so dont use me as ameasure. I work full time and kind of under estimated how much it was to read, and over estimated my own ability... There were times when I didnt study for months but I finaly got my act together and forced my self to do it. Its al down to hard work (and a good question bank).
When I studied the most my wife had to take care of all the logistics, I didnt help her with anything ( I made it up to her by takeing her shoping this saturday), maby you should prepare your husband for that...
It is good that you have taken time of from work, that will help alot. The one thing I wanted for my 33d birthday was time.
check your PMs
D.
When I studied the most my wife had to take care of all the logistics, I didnt help her with anything ( I made it up to her by takeing her shoping this saturday), maby you should prepare your husband for that...
It is good that you have taken time of from work, that will help alot. The one thing I wanted for my 33d birthday was time.
check your PMs
D.
