JAA ATPL Theory Study
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Leeds
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From the sounds of it we are all quite similar in the sense that we are all seeing the cold, hard reality of training to be a commercial pilot.
I think we would all agree that two things are for sure, i we make them happen, though that make it all worth while:
1) Doing what we love everyday - flying & being challenged
2) Being paid for this and being rewarded for the hardwork we put in to get there.
It is a hard road but one which bears excellent fruits, both personally and professionally, at the end.
I think even though most of us have a dream and the reality is sometimes very cold and different we should never forget that dream as it will keep us going through the hard times.
I think we would all agree that two things are for sure, i we make them happen, though that make it all worth while:
1) Doing what we love everyday - flying & being challenged
2) Being paid for this and being rewarded for the hardwork we put in to get there.
It is a hard road but one which bears excellent fruits, both personally and professionally, at the end.
I think even though most of us have a dream and the reality is sometimes very cold and different we should never forget that dream as it will keep us going through the hard times.
Join Date: Nov 2003
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If doing modular training then I would highly recommend doing all elements that do not have a time restriction. Doing a section such as the ATPL theory before your hour building (which can take a fair few months - in my case, 12 months and still counting)...then its a waste of valuable time and may lead to undue pressure in order to complete the remaining parts.
If your on a badger arse budget like some of us then structuring your course in this way will benefit. If you have a wad of cash that will allow you to train full time modular then its a diffrent scenario.
How do you eat yours?
If your on a badger arse budget like some of us then structuring your course in this way will benefit. If you have a wad of cash that will allow you to train full time modular then its a diffrent scenario.
How do you eat yours?
Join Date: Oct 2005
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i'm not really sure where your coming from, CPL/IR training is broken up into different exams and licenses and ratings so i don't see how you can miss vital knowledge or experience because if you do you won't pass that particular part of the course, and the course has hour/time requirements anyway (45 hour PPL, 700 hours ATPL study etc), what is the point of slowing down your training and delaying getting to where you want to be?
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Hi Mcgoo,
Sorry - i think i was a little unclear there.
Just-Local had raised the valid point that many seem to want to rush through the training and i may have appeared to be one of those people. I was clarifying that based on my personal circumstances i was planning according to a comfortable pace for me. Others may complete the training quicker of slower - i suppose it all depends on their factors.
I was meaning that rather than learning the material just for the exam and then quickly finding the knowledge becoming sketchy i would rather pace myself so that i learned the material for the long term and had a solid and firm knowledge base for the future.
I agree with your question about slowing training down - I don't think it should be slowed down if a student, has a good knowledge base to pass the exams and maintain that knowledge base after the exams a done with and can do the practical work to the required standard etc
I don't know though i will soon embark on the long journey and will find out for myself very soon if my theory is on track. I am sure it will require modifications at some point though.
Sorry - i think i was a little unclear there.
Just-Local had raised the valid point that many seem to want to rush through the training and i may have appeared to be one of those people. I was clarifying that based on my personal circumstances i was planning according to a comfortable pace for me. Others may complete the training quicker of slower - i suppose it all depends on their factors.
I was meaning that rather than learning the material just for the exam and then quickly finding the knowledge becoming sketchy i would rather pace myself so that i learned the material for the long term and had a solid and firm knowledge base for the future.
I agree with your question about slowing training down - I don't think it should be slowed down if a student, has a good knowledge base to pass the exams and maintain that knowledge base after the exams a done with and can do the practical work to the required standard etc
I don't know though i will soon embark on the long journey and will find out for myself very soon if my theory is on track. I am sure it will require modifications at some point though.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: White Waltham, Prestwick & Calgary
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I'm glad you clarified that AHMC - I don't like the developing trend of people trying to short cut the exams, especially by learning the answers to the questions (learning exam technique is acceptable, but not the answers!). I believe it is a CRM issue, and an indication that people have the wrong attitude before they even start in the job!
Our product is safe arrival, and we do not deliver that by taking short cuts.
Phil
Our product is safe arrival, and we do not deliver that by taking short cuts.
Phil
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I agree with you paco - i also think that the correct attitude is crucial to being a good aviator.
Everytime i go to the flying school and see someone kicking up a fuss about the weather and asking why they can't fly over and over again, i can't help but shake my head.
Thats what i'm beginning to see anyway.
Everytime i go to the flying school and see someone kicking up a fuss about the weather and asking why they can't fly over and over again, i can't help but shake my head.
Thats what i'm beginning to see anyway.
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I forgot to add that it's not worth skipping the exams - you will need the same knowledge for the interview and if you don't know it will be obvious! A lot of people criticise the US/Canadian academic standards, forgetting that the real exam is with the examiner!
Phil
Phil
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Need ATPL Self Study Hints/Tips !
Does anyone have any hints/tips to help with the ATPL self study ?.
I've been out of the study game for around 12 years, and silly as it may sound, I've forgotten how to study !!. I'm currently doing Module one through Bristol Ground School.
I sit and read through the subjects, and then do the tests at the end, but find that I'm not remembering what I should be, and remembering what I don't really need to.
Whats the best way to ensure that I can remember what I need to ? Am I best writing my own notes as I go, or highlighting important bits in the books ? (I have been trying to keep my books as neat and tidy as poss by only making the odd few pencil marks in them).
I know not everyone learns in the same way, but any hints/tips/advice is appreciated so I can give it a try and find out what works for me.
I've been out of the study game for around 12 years, and silly as it may sound, I've forgotten how to study !!. I'm currently doing Module one through Bristol Ground School.
I sit and read through the subjects, and then do the tests at the end, but find that I'm not remembering what I should be, and remembering what I don't really need to.
Whats the best way to ensure that I can remember what I need to ? Am I best writing my own notes as I go, or highlighting important bits in the books ? (I have been trying to keep my books as neat and tidy as poss by only making the odd few pencil marks in them).
I know not everyone learns in the same way, but any hints/tips/advice is appreciated so I can give it a try and find out what works for me.
Join Date: Jan 2005
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I agree!
I have just completed all 14 and had been out of education for a while.
I planned my time carefully and did chunks at a time - say 1hr with a 10-15 mins off doing something completley different and then back to a different subject. I worked out a timetable and stuck to it.
Find what works for you and enjoy it!!!!
pm me if you need any more specific hints with the different subjects!!
I have just completed all 14 and had been out of education for a while.
I planned my time carefully and did chunks at a time - say 1hr with a 10-15 mins off doing something completley different and then back to a different subject. I worked out a timetable and stuck to it.
Find what works for you and enjoy it!!!!
pm me if you need any more specific hints with the different subjects!!
Join Date: Feb 2004
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Here's what worked for me:
Stage 1
Read through each frame and just try to understand everything.
Read through again, and try to memorise any facts or formulas. Making notes and drawing diagrams can help here.
Take the progress test, without referring to the notes, and have it marked.
Review the marked answers, including the questions you got right.
Move on to the next frame.
Stage 2
When all subjects finished (and you think you remember nothing of them) hit the online question bank.
Create a huge test of the questions on one subject and start plugging away, an hour at a time.
If a question comes up and you have to guess it or you get it wrong, write the question number down (creating a list in word like 123,124,126.. will help later).
If you get a second question wrong on any topic, re-read the notes on that topic before carrying on. Ask online about anything you can't understand.
When the test is finished (it may take several days), create a second test of all the questions you got wrong the previous time (you can cut and paste that word list from earlier). It's likely to be at least a third of the size of the first, so may take a couple of days to get through.
If a question comes up and you have to guess it or you get it wrong, write the question number down etc etc
Repeat the whole process, creating shorter and shorter tests, until you are getting few questions wrong.
Stage 3
Attend the brush up.
The tutors will go through the entire syallabus again and give you questions to do each evening. By now you will be familiar with the style of questions and the areas of interest to the examiner. You will feel confident.
Stage 4
Take and pass the exams.
Drink Beer.
Stage 1
Read through each frame and just try to understand everything.
Read through again, and try to memorise any facts or formulas. Making notes and drawing diagrams can help here.
Take the progress test, without referring to the notes, and have it marked.
Review the marked answers, including the questions you got right.
Move on to the next frame.
Stage 2
When all subjects finished (and you think you remember nothing of them) hit the online question bank.
Create a huge test of the questions on one subject and start plugging away, an hour at a time.
If a question comes up and you have to guess it or you get it wrong, write the question number down (creating a list in word like 123,124,126.. will help later).
If you get a second question wrong on any topic, re-read the notes on that topic before carrying on. Ask online about anything you can't understand.
When the test is finished (it may take several days), create a second test of all the questions you got wrong the previous time (you can cut and paste that word list from earlier). It's likely to be at least a third of the size of the first, so may take a couple of days to get through.
If a question comes up and you have to guess it or you get it wrong, write the question number down etc etc
Repeat the whole process, creating shorter and shorter tests, until you are getting few questions wrong.
Stage 3
Attend the brush up.
The tutors will go through the entire syallabus again and give you questions to do each evening. By now you will be familiar with the style of questions and the areas of interest to the examiner. You will feel confident.
Stage 4
Take and pass the exams.
Drink Beer.
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Does anyone know of a groundschool which lets you stretch out sitting the ATPL exams (distance learning) as much as you like? Most of the ones I have looked at so far give you a set schedule and you have to complete the whole course within 12 months. My problem is that I only get 5 weeks holiday off work each year, so to do 3 phases with one week classroom and 1 week exams each time, equals 6 weeks leave required!! 
But just not whilst studying
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Me to...
Im also on the module 1 at Bristol groundschool, some days of reading seem to happen with dedication and motivation ,other days i seem 2 find im reading the words and nothing appears to be entering!!
Like with any study i think repetion is the key and only in 1 hour chunks, write and draw things that help you understand the content and makes it stick.... Very hard to knuckle down though, ive been told the above advice time and time again however it still seems so difficult 2 carry out...
How long have you had your books 4??
Like with any study i think repetion is the key and only in 1 hour chunks, write and draw things that help you understand the content and makes it stick.... Very hard to knuckle down though, ive been told the above advice time and time again however it still seems so difficult 2 carry out...
How long have you had your books 4??
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Thanks for the tips so far...
Got them just before Xmas, but didn't make a start until Jan.
Yep - same problem I've got. Sometimes I'll be reading and I might as well be staring at a blank page !!.
I bought myself a white board yesterday so that I can write any important things I need to remember on it, so I can always see them.
How long have you had your books 4??
some days of reading seem to happen with dedication and motivation ,other days i seem 2 find im reading the words and nothing appears to be entering!!
I bought myself a white board yesterday so that I can write any important things I need to remember on it, so I can always see them.
Join Date: Mar 2006
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femalewannabe,
I am doing my ATPL Theory - distance learning - with Bristol Ground School.
The course is split in to two blocks and require 2 x sessions of 2 weeks. In each session 1 week is cramming and the other week is exams.
The total required time for the crammer and exam sessions would therfore be 4 weeks - which should meet your limitations.
At least this was the case a few weeks ago when i last checked. Hope it helps.
I am doing my ATPL Theory - distance learning - with Bristol Ground School.
The course is split in to two blocks and require 2 x sessions of 2 weeks. In each session 1 week is cramming and the other week is exams.
The total required time for the crammer and exam sessions would therfore be 4 weeks - which should meet your limitations.
At least this was the case a few weeks ago when i last checked. Hope it helps.
Join Date: Feb 2004
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Not quite, AHMC.
For each module, it's two weeks of cramming at Cheddar (including mock exams) plus a week of real exams at a CAA exam venue. A total of three weeks per module.
For each module, it's two weeks of cramming at Cheddar (including mock exams) plus a week of real exams at a CAA exam venue. A total of three weeks per module.
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My Apologies.
bfato is correct so this would mean you would bust through your 5 weeks leave.
It's a shame you can't revise for each subject and take them one by one like the PPL's.
Sorry, femalewannabe.
bfato is correct so this would mean you would bust through your 5 weeks leave.
It's a shame you can't revise for each subject and take them one by one like the PPL's.
Sorry, femalewannabe.
Join Date: Dec 2004
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For the OP - um, whilst it would be nice (but impossible) to get the ATPL exams out of the way first, wouldn't it be better to get the PPL first to make sure you actually *want* to go all the way to ATPL?
My 2p.
My 2p.