JAA ATPL Ground Exams
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Hampshire
It does seem that aviation is seen as the past time of the rich, when in reality it is the past time of the heavily debted! So it makes sense to put us all further in debt!!
I had a class 1 medical taken at work, one of the perks of working for NATS which was free, I had to have an electrocardiogram, as it was due, to which the doctor said was 'absolutely spot on'; 'lovely all done then', I said. I was then told that I had to pay the bloody Campaign Against Aviation £27 so they could read the plot given by the ECG, and come to the same conclusion that a very experienced NATS doctor had already concluded!!
IT'S ALL A BIG CON FROM THE GATWICK GREY WARSHIP!!
I had a class 1 medical taken at work, one of the perks of working for NATS which was free, I had to have an electrocardiogram, as it was due, to which the doctor said was 'absolutely spot on'; 'lovely all done then', I said. I was then told that I had to pay the bloody Campaign Against Aviation £27 so they could read the plot given by the ECG, and come to the same conclusion that a very experienced NATS doctor had already concluded!!
IT'S ALL A BIG CON FROM THE GATWICK GREY WARSHIP!!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Chertsey, Surrey
This is completely unfair, I had to recently spend £16 of my money so that the FAA could look at my details, who's conning who!!
FAA Charge for reading said fax, reading application form, approving documents and transferring to local office, issuing temporary airman's certificate, printing FAA licence card (plastic and credit card sized) and postage to UK: £0... Yes, Free
Value of the FAA teaching the CAA a lesson in charging: Priceless
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 743
Likes: 1
From: Kilmacolm
If I remember correctly, the problem with the CAA is that it was stipulated a good few years ago that it has to be self funding whereas the FAA has funding from Government.
Further to Send Clowns post...
What is worse is that those of us sitting the exams at Gatwick were provided with such a small desk with such a small space between them, glad I didn't do General Navigation at Gatwick.
The Orlando exam venue was much nicer, we had large desks that we could spread all of our charts out with plenty of room to spare.
Does anyone know of an exam venue in the UK which allows the use of large desks? I have flight planning coming up in the next (and last) seven and thus would really like a nice large desk to work from...
Further to Send Clowns post...
What is worse is that those of us sitting the exams at Gatwick were provided with such a small desk with such a small space between them, glad I didn't do General Navigation at Gatwick.
The Orlando exam venue was much nicer, we had large desks that we could spread all of our charts out with plenty of room to spare.
Does anyone know of an exam venue in the UK which allows the use of large desks? I have flight planning coming up in the next (and last) seven and thus would really like a nice large desk to work from...
Guest
Posts: n/a
If I remember correctly, the problem with the CAA is that it was stipulated a good few years ago that it has to be self funding whereas the FAA has funding from Government.
The Campaign Against Aviation indeed
Gizajob
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
From: uk
The reason the CAA give us little desks to do our planning exams on is because that is all you get on the Airbuses we will all be flying soon
.
Count yourself lucky - you have to do it on your knee in a Boeing so the FAA guys don't even get a desk.
.Count yourself lucky - you have to do it on your knee in a Boeing so the FAA guys don't even get a desk.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: LONDON
Just another sad example of 'Suit Britain' as I call it ...
The whole country is being run by boring little grey men who know more about microsoft excel than anything else.
What next - a doctors assessment to see if you are going to breach any health & safety 'codes of conduct' when your sitting at your exam table?
The whole country is being run by boring little grey men who know more about microsoft excel than anything else.
What next - a doctors assessment to see if you are going to breach any health & safety 'codes of conduct' when your sitting at your exam table?
Jet Blast Rat
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 0
From: Sarfend-on-Sea
At Shuttleworth they arranged pairs of desks for the flight planning exam, at a student's request. However this was not standard, and that centre is no longer in use. You could try at Silsoe; probably not worth it at Gatwick!
CAA might be self-funded, but the exams have for years been a lot more expensive per hour than your lessons, and there you have a skilled instructor to each class of between 5 and 15 students (in most schools)! He has to prepare classes, which shold be more work than running the exam - you should not be charged for the incompetence of the JAA in setting up teh exams, giving exrta work marking. That is immoral and disgraceful, being charged extra due to the poor service you are receiving!
CAA might be self-funded, but the exams have for years been a lot more expensive per hour than your lessons, and there you have a skilled instructor to each class of between 5 and 15 students (in most schools)! He has to prepare classes, which shold be more work than running the exam - you should not be charged for the incompetence of the JAA in setting up teh exams, giving exrta work marking. That is immoral and disgraceful, being charged extra due to the poor service you are receiving!
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: 1.5 NM SW of EGTE
JAA ATPL Ground Exams
I'm just about to enrole to Bristol ground school to start the study for the atpl written exams using their distance learning package.
I have looked at other schools, but Bristol looks the best all round package and is not too far from me.
Before i send off my hard earned and start has anyone got any advice or experience on using Bristol GS.
Looking forward to your comments
Richz3
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Its Grim Ooop Here
Dist Learning
If its Distance Learning, everyone I know that used it thought Bristols was great.
I did a fulltime course in the end, but guys off my course still used the Bristol online facilities for revision.
I did a fulltime course in the end, but guys off my course still used the Bristol online facilities for revision.
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Newcastle Upon Tyne
Currently half way through my studies with them and I can't find a bad thing to say about them.
Great course material, excellent insructors/tutors and top notch support and resources to help you pass the exams.
The online question database is a godsend!
Good Luck
Matt
Great course material, excellent insructors/tutors and top notch support and resources to help you pass the exams.
The online question database is a godsend!
Good Luck
Matt
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
From: LKBU
JAA ATPL Ground Exams
Hi everyone.
There is a rather persistent opinion that one may sit JAA ATPL exams without formal theoretical training. However, according to JAR-FCL 1.485(b), one has to be recommended by an approved FTO to take the exams. Is this a clear prohibition, or are there any alternative means of compliance?
There is a rather persistent opinion that one may sit JAA ATPL exams without formal theoretical training. However, according to JAR-FCL 1.485(b), one has to be recommended by an approved FTO to take the exams. Is this a clear prohibition, or are there any alternative means of compliance?
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 743
Likes: 1
From: Kilmacolm
The only way around it is if you are very experienced and hold an ICAO ATPL. I believe you'll also need many hours on a jet / turboprop aircraft but am unsure about that.
Even if you hold an ICAO CPL/IR, you are still required to sit the entire course and the classroom element before going to the exams and the school has to sign the application form to say you are ready to take them.
Even if you hold an ICAO CPL/IR, you are still required to sit the entire course and the classroom element before going to the exams and the school has to sign the application form to say you are ready to take them.
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: UK
If you are to do the exams via distance learning as I did, it must be through an approved course. This requires at least 200 hours of formal ground instruction as opposed to the 600-odd required by the residential course. Sadly, you are not simply allowed to buy the books, learn the subjects and sit the exams.
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 4
From: Bristol, England
Yes, most of that is correct. You are completely exempt approved ground training if you have an ATPL with 1500hrs+ on aircraft certified for two pilot operation. If you hold an ATPL but don't have the 1500 hours two pilot time then you have to do an appproved course but the time spent on the course may be reduced at 'the discretion of the Head of Training of an approved FTO'. Frozen ATPLs/CPLs get no credits.
A full approved modular course must consist of at least 650 hours of instruction, 10% at least must be done in the classroom.
A full approved modular course must consist of at least 650 hours of instruction, 10% at least must be done in the classroom.
ATPL Exams
