Which ATPL Ground School?
Went through Cabair ground school last year. At the time it was very good, most people in the class got first time passes in all subjects. However the course books are not the greatest, so I'm not sure the distance learning is the best available. As a full time course, I would recommend it though as the hand outs and ground school instructors are very good on the whole.
Hope this is of some help.
Merry Christmas All
Hope this is of some help.
Merry Christmas All
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unfortunately if you do your groundschool you probably will not want to do the APP course. this is because OAT do not offer any alterations to the course whether it be PPL or groundschool that you have, they want all their money for all the course. so if you do your groundschool elsewhere, your option would only be to pay for it all over again at OAT which is pretty pointless. you could however enroll on their waypoint modular programme.
as for cabair, dont't know what their situation is regarding the groundschool but i know if you have a PPL they will give you the discounted version for however many hours you have already done on the price. i think they allow upto 90 hours of cashback if already done. above 90 hours i think they won't even accept you. but not entirely sure on that last point.
as for cabair, dont't know what their situation is regarding the groundschool but i know if you have a PPL they will give you the discounted version for however many hours you have already done on the price. i think they allow upto 90 hours of cashback if already done. above 90 hours i think they won't even accept you. but not entirely sure on that last point.
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Try CATS, very good pass rate - I was there some time ago. At the time it had the highest pass rate in the country (CAA Verified) About 95% of my class passed everything 1st time.
At the end of the day, we're all fighting for the same thing, doing the same course, same exams & the same job.
Choose a school that suits you.
All the best
HPC
At the end of the day, we're all fighting for the same thing, doing the same course, same exams & the same job.
Choose a school that suits you.
All the best
HPC
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no it doesn't, if you study 6-8 hours a day at home like crazy, you can finish all your 14 papers in 6-7 months and save lot of money.
call Bristol.GS and see with them.Airlines recommend Bristol.GS and see them as the TOP1 school worldwide.
call Bristol.GS and see with them.Airlines recommend Bristol.GS and see them as the TOP1 school worldwide.
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Are you superhuman? You claim to be so 
I contend it would be very difficult for anyone except the mad or extemely motivated to sustain their self for that period home-working every day.
DL largely suits those who have other commitments, usually employment.
I contend it would be very difficult for anyone except the mad or extemely motivated to sustain their self for that period home-working every day.
DL largely suits those who have other commitments, usually employment.
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Dartagnan,
More to the point do you work for BGS? You do sound awfully like a rather crappy junior working in their marketing dept.
I have never heard of any airline recommend them or take pilots purely on the basis that they came from Bristol. Can you clarify how many airlines are currently sending their pilots to BGS?
I don't think acuba290 makes a point that hasn't been heard before. Infact, it's quite a normal concern for a number of people. On the flip side BlueRobin also makes a perfectly valid point. As you can see there will always be horses for courses
HPC
More to the point do you work for BGS? You do sound awfully like a rather crappy junior working in their marketing dept.
I have never heard of any airline recommend them or take pilots purely on the basis that they came from Bristol. Can you clarify how many airlines are currently sending their pilots to BGS?
I don't think acuba290 makes a point that hasn't been heard before. Infact, it's quite a normal concern for a number of people. On the flip side BlueRobin also makes a perfectly valid point. As you can see there will always be horses for courses
HPC
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regrettably I am not a crappy junior working in one of the best school in UK.
Airlines are more and more aware of the quality that Bristol.GS provides, I can tell you that being an ex-student of Bristol, it is a big plus during selection process.
I do not say that Oxford is bad, I don't know Oxford, I can not judge( I have eared only good things about their grounschool too) , but Bristol has an excellent reputation in the airline industry so consider their offer even if it is a residential course.(you will save big money for your MCC!!)
I have been surprised when an airline did some very good comments on them.
to all of you:
Airlines are more and more aware of the quality that Bristol.GS provides, I can tell you that being an ex-student of Bristol, it is a big plus during selection process.
I do not say that Oxford is bad, I don't know Oxford, I can not judge( I have eared only good things about their grounschool too) , but Bristol has an excellent reputation in the airline industry so consider their offer even if it is a residential course.(you will save big money for your MCC!!)
I have been surprised when an airline did some very good comments on them.
to all of you:
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nah I think dart has fallen into the usual love affair that occurs with various schools after passing, I presume it's Alex's customer care which causes most of it. There really isn't much difference in the quality of the notes these days and most schools will do the job. The days of everyone wanting the 100 sheets of feedback questions from OAT are gone.
Personally I went to OAT DL and payed my money and got the job done with minimum fuss. And in those days there was a distinct advantage in going to OAT due to the cadets being organised to collect feedback. The volume of feedback was miles ahead of anyone else's. In fact their was a black market in feedback questions from OAT. I still think it has an advantage in this area.
Just to make sure though. Understand that nobody gives a toss about where and how you completed your theory exams or for that matter what mark you got for them. Passing with a 76% average or a 98% average is purely a personal self satisfaction pat on the back.
Personally I went to OAT DL and payed my money and got the job done with minimum fuss. And in those days there was a distinct advantage in going to OAT due to the cadets being organised to collect feedback. The volume of feedback was miles ahead of anyone else's. In fact their was a black market in feedback questions from OAT. I still think it has an advantage in this area.
Just to make sure though. Understand that nobody gives a toss about where and how you completed your theory exams or for that matter what mark you got for them. Passing with a 76% average or a 98% average is purely a personal self satisfaction pat on the back.
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BGS
LOL LOL
Hey dartagnan
You are a funny bloke......aren't you. Are you sure you're not on BGS's payroll?
If you bothered to read my initial post on this thread, you will notice that I did all my stuff at CATS & not Oxford. However, I would rate OATS head & shoulders above BGS. I have a full set of notes from all 3 schools & would say that BGS are some considerable way behind the other schools in terms of learning & teaching materials.
In a nutshell have a good read of mad_jock's mail, its sums it up quite nicely.
HPC
Hey dartagnan
You are a funny bloke......aren't you. Are you sure you're not on BGS's payroll?
If you bothered to read my initial post on this thread, you will notice that I did all my stuff at CATS & not Oxford. However, I would rate OATS head & shoulders above BGS. I have a full set of notes from all 3 schools & would say that BGS are some considerable way behind the other schools in terms of learning & teaching materials.
In a nutshell have a good read of mad_jock's mail, its sums it up quite nicely.
HPC
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I would disagree. BGS instructors are no worse than anyone else, they have a wealth of experience, dedication and time for their students. In fact my personal opinion rates them highest.
The bad experience I had at OAT whilst literally begging them to take me onto their course was disgusting. They couldn't even spare the time to talk to me properly on the phone. Even requesting payment details was a chore and when I finally got an application to join the wretched OAT DL course it was like a mortgage application. Screw them ....
BGS however were ready to help straight of the bat not just initially but everytime I contacted them. They genuinely tried to help even when I'd say "no problem I'll look it up in the course notes", they still offered to explain it further so that there'd be no doubt.
Excellent job BGS and I'd say OAT are too unstable, it's either good or very poor, there doesn't seem to be a middle ground for them, but do I care they can go to .....
The bad experience I had at OAT whilst literally begging them to take me onto their course was disgusting. They couldn't even spare the time to talk to me properly on the phone. Even requesting payment details was a chore and when I finally got an application to join the wretched OAT DL course it was like a mortgage application. Screw them ....
BGS however were ready to help straight of the bat not just initially but everytime I contacted them. They genuinely tried to help even when I'd say "no problem I'll look it up in the course notes", they still offered to explain it further so that there'd be no doubt.
Excellent job BGS and I'd say OAT are too unstable, it's either good or very poor, there doesn't seem to be a middle ground for them, but do I care they can go to .....
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OAT DL Course
I woud say a point to consider is OAT 80% pass rate for the DL course.
Yes the CAA is 75% so if you did not get oxfords 80% you would still get a pass for your ATPL theory but oxford would not let you enter onto there 'Waypoint' modular course.
As with all modular training it goes in you favour to do all your training with one FTO. This is because from what I can gather it gives the airlines an indecation the the continuity of the training you have had.
Again not saying you wont get a job if you do each part with a different FTO but my view is do what ever you can to make your self more appealing to airlines after all, we all know they prefer our integrated friends!!
For this reason I have chose Cabair so I dont end up getting stuck and having to change FTO's. Once again hourses for courses!!
Yes the CAA is 75% so if you did not get oxfords 80% you would still get a pass for your ATPL theory but oxford would not let you enter onto there 'Waypoint' modular course.
As with all modular training it goes in you favour to do all your training with one FTO. This is because from what I can gather it gives the airlines an indecation the the continuity of the training you have had.
Again not saying you wont get a job if you do each part with a different FTO but my view is do what ever you can to make your self more appealing to airlines after all, we all know they prefer our integrated friends!!
For this reason I have chose Cabair so I dont end up getting stuck and having to change FTO's. Once again hourses for courses!!
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hpcock please don't assume that I was saying OAT is better than BGS.
Because its not, and neither is BGS better than OAT.
My feeling is they actually suits different sides of the market.
From what I have seen Alex is a master at smoothing the way for people who need poked in the right direction when it comes to relearning how to learn. The BGS notes would infurate me with the amount of waffle around a technical point ie 100 words and a figure, when 4 words and a figure with a bit of maths and a couple of arrows would do.
Some people can't get there heads around the technical manual style of OAT notes. It suited me to be given the books then left alone to my own devices. All the notes are written in a style which I was very used to and found easy to learn.
So in summary I think BGS would suit 80% of the market and OAT would suit 80% of the market you will note that for 60% of the market it really doesn't matter which school you go to. For that 60% the choice really comes down to which one is cheaper when you take into account HOTAC and living expenses.
Because its not, and neither is BGS better than OAT.
My feeling is they actually suits different sides of the market.
From what I have seen Alex is a master at smoothing the way for people who need poked in the right direction when it comes to relearning how to learn. The BGS notes would infurate me with the amount of waffle around a technical point ie 100 words and a figure, when 4 words and a figure with a bit of maths and a couple of arrows would do.
Some people can't get there heads around the technical manual style of OAT notes. It suited me to be given the books then left alone to my own devices. All the notes are written in a style which I was very used to and found easy to learn.
So in summary I think BGS would suit 80% of the market and OAT would suit 80% of the market you will note that for 60% of the market it really doesn't matter which school you go to. For that 60% the choice really comes down to which one is cheaper when you take into account HOTAC and living expenses.
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yes, Alex take care of us,and this is why so many students chose Bristol.
when I studied 2-5 hours a day at home, I need a school to understand my needs.(now I sound like I am selling a product again!!sorry these are sentences I have learned during my english lessons)
I am not on the bristol payroll( I would like to be), and I have nothing to do with Bristol.gs, but sometimes I hear some guys asking me if Bristol is good. I tell them they will have to work hard everyday, and commit for 7 months(that's the secret
).
If they can do that, they will save lot of money.the school is good if you are ready to study. It is more about you than about the school.
I don't say other school are bad, they suit for a different mentality. Some guys still need an instructor in front of them and can not study by themselves for hours.
Regarding the printing material, I like the one of Oxford and I liked their weather DVD, the binders of Bristol are good but less detailed.
accommodation at Oxford is more expensive as you have to spend 4 weeks in these beautiful towns.
for me, it was lot of fun ,and the course was very interesting and enjoyable (the brushing course is very intense, at this time, we didn't have online database only feedback questions to keep us busy until 1 am...)
I would be interested by the number of students who sign with Bristol DL or Oxford and give up.
I don't know what is this story about modular vs Integrated, Bristol is a JAA school recognized by non UK countries.I think they work with several aviation schools in europe.
bristol or Oxford, chose what you want, but please consider their DL course if you are short of cash.
when I studied 2-5 hours a day at home, I need a school to understand my needs.(now I sound like I am selling a product again!!sorry these are sentences I have learned during my english lessons)
I am not on the bristol payroll( I would like to be), and I have nothing to do with Bristol.gs, but sometimes I hear some guys asking me if Bristol is good. I tell them they will have to work hard everyday, and commit for 7 months(that's the secret
).If they can do that, they will save lot of money.the school is good if you are ready to study. It is more about you than about the school.
I don't say other school are bad, they suit for a different mentality. Some guys still need an instructor in front of them and can not study by themselves for hours.
Regarding the printing material, I like the one of Oxford and I liked their weather DVD, the binders of Bristol are good but less detailed.
accommodation at Oxford is more expensive as you have to spend 4 weeks in these beautiful towns.
for me, it was lot of fun ,and the course was very interesting and enjoyable (the brushing course is very intense, at this time, we didn't have online database only feedback questions to keep us busy until 1 am...)
I would be interested by the number of students who sign with Bristol DL or Oxford and give up.
I don't know what is this story about modular vs Integrated, Bristol is a JAA school recognized by non UK countries.I think they work with several aviation schools in europe.
bristol or Oxford, chose what you want, but please consider their DL course if you are short of cash.
Last edited by dartagnan; 27th Dec 2006 at 21:40.
Additional resources
Which ever TO you chose, try to get a shifty at the Oxford Met CD-Rom. Raised my pre exam marks from mid 70s ie a possible fail to the high 80s. Met seems to have the broadest range of material in it and not all of it makes a great deal of sense with out animations.
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Guys, if you want DL ATPLS do not go with Bristol.gs they are too expensive.
Oxford now charge £2,540 (including CAA Fees) People always go on about how expensive it is to stay in Oxford well it costs £100 per week (in the airport) that comes to a total of less than £3,000!!!!
Bristol charge a massive £2,740 (Including CAA Fees) plus approx £25-40 per night B&B. Basically including accomodation the whole process is more than £3,300!!!!
Are Bristol that good, to warrent paying extra on the course. Paying high rates for accomodation and probably having to pay for Internet access too which is free at Oxford.
Maybe Ive got something wrong here, please correct me if I have. Im not studying at either, im still in the process of choosing which school to go to.
Oxford now charge £2,540 (including CAA Fees) People always go on about how expensive it is to stay in Oxford well it costs £100 per week (in the airport) that comes to a total of less than £3,000!!!!
Bristol charge a massive £2,740 (Including CAA Fees) plus approx £25-40 per night B&B. Basically including accomodation the whole process is more than £3,300!!!!
Are Bristol that good, to warrent paying extra on the course. Paying high rates for accomodation and probably having to pay for Internet access too which is free at Oxford.
Maybe Ive got something wrong here, please correct me if I have. Im not studying at either, im still in the process of choosing which school to go to.
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davey147 that has to be one of the most ridiculous posts I have seen on here, you admit you have no experience of either school yet advise people not to go to bristol because of £300 difference in your own estimated figures, get real.
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I think im going to go with the cheapest, theres also the advantage of not having to travel to take the exams either.