ATPL Ground study material: books, DVDs, computer programs etc.
Join Date: Jun 1999
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Graham,
I did a similar thing to yourself in terms of preparation for the ATPL course.
What I found useful was to go through the PPL syllabus in some detail, and grasp a thorough understanding of as much as you can. You will notice when you start the course, that a lot of stuff you will have seen before, and it really is an extension of your knowledge, so having a good grounding will give you a head start. Also a tip before you start General Nav. Get your whizz wheel smoking, you have to know this dam thing inside out for General Nav.
All the best with it, and even though it is hard work, keep on top of it and you will be fine. Above all, enjoy it.
Cheers.
I did a similar thing to yourself in terms of preparation for the ATPL course.
What I found useful was to go through the PPL syllabus in some detail, and grasp a thorough understanding of as much as you can. You will notice when you start the course, that a lot of stuff you will have seen before, and it really is an extension of your knowledge, so having a good grounding will give you a head start. Also a tip before you start General Nav. Get your whizz wheel smoking, you have to know this dam thing inside out for General Nav.
All the best with it, and even though it is hard work, keep on top of it and you will be fine. Above all, enjoy it.
Cheers.
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Good advice on the whizz wheel, a lot of people struggle with it during the ATPL and have poor techniques, usually as a hangover from being rushed through it during the PPL. Here are some thoughts:-
- use the wind down method NOT wind up
- calcuate wind/velocity given TAS, track etc
- work out cross wind and head/tail wind components
- make sure you can get your head around the time/distance/speed problems and the various permutations
- if you don't already have the CRP5 then get one, avoid cheaper imitations as generally the instructors won't know how to use them anyway and I have seen people struggling to get the same answers as the rest of the class using a non pooleys model
- know how to use your calculator properly - something like a Casio FX82 or similar should be your weapon of choice. In particular the hours, minutes, secs functions can save you loads of time and avoid costly errors as well as the sin/cos/tan functions
- refresh yourself on basic trigonometry - SOHCAHTOA, solving lengths of equal sided triangles etc
- can you manipulate algebraic formulae, nothing to hard but all the same there is fair amount of it across the subjects
- try to remember some of the main conversions such as ft/nm, kts/mph, m/nm etc
- hows your geography? You would be surprised how many people forget which countries are to the east/west of the greenwich meridian.
Thats all I can think of for now. Enjoy.
- use the wind down method NOT wind up
- calcuate wind/velocity given TAS, track etc
- work out cross wind and head/tail wind components
- make sure you can get your head around the time/distance/speed problems and the various permutations
- if you don't already have the CRP5 then get one, avoid cheaper imitations as generally the instructors won't know how to use them anyway and I have seen people struggling to get the same answers as the rest of the class using a non pooleys model
- know how to use your calculator properly - something like a Casio FX82 or similar should be your weapon of choice. In particular the hours, minutes, secs functions can save you loads of time and avoid costly errors as well as the sin/cos/tan functions
- refresh yourself on basic trigonometry - SOHCAHTOA, solving lengths of equal sided triangles etc
- can you manipulate algebraic formulae, nothing to hard but all the same there is fair amount of it across the subjects
- try to remember some of the main conversions such as ft/nm, kts/mph, m/nm etc
- hows your geography? You would be surprised how many people forget which countries are to the east/west of the greenwich meridian.
Thats all I can think of for now. Enjoy.
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Pre ATPL ground school preparation?
I am due to start my ground school ATPL's at the end of September. With a few weeks on to go until then i will look to brush up on my math and physics. Are there any books worth reading as pre-study material?
Or any suggestions would be helpful.
Regards
V1
Or any suggestions would be helpful.
Regards
V1
Dancing with the devil, going with the flow... it's all a game to me.
Join Date: May 2000
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Just read up on some trigonometry, basic algebra (how to make 'x' the subject, etc), know a little about what your cos/sin/tan buttons of the calculator are for and little about vectors.
Some basic physics - Boyles Law, basic electrics, and moments.
I wouldn't worry too much - it's all GCSE level stuff and if I can do it anyone can!
VFE.
Some basic physics - Boyles Law, basic electrics, and moments.
I wouldn't worry too much - it's all GCSE level stuff and if I can do it anyone can!
VFE.
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Hey look another queston just like yours posted two weeks ago
Welcome to pprune but get to know that search function as the majority of things have been asked over the years.
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=239266
Welcome to pprune but get to know that search function as the majority of things have been asked over the years.http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=239266
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Starting the ATPL ground school
so, with some trepidation, I start the ATPL groundschool at the beginning of next month. Although I have been distance learning for a while, I have come to the conclusion that Full time is going to be the best way for me to go. Can anyone give me any helpful hints about what to expect from the course - anything to look out for or pay particular attention to? I have heard many things from many people, but I would like to gather as much as I can before I start. Any ideas would be gratefully recieved! I have worked at a 'sleepy' airfield for the past few years, and I know that full time learning is going to be a bit of a shock to the system!
x
x
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As someone who has today just found out that I have finally passed all of the little feckers let me give you my words of wisdom (sic)....
- become a master of the CRP5
- hows your maths? (check out this thread http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=239266)
- at times it will be so dull and tedious that you will almost lose the will to live. Don't worry we have all been through it, just grin and bear it
- as you go through the subjects you will find there is much repetition. Just grin and bear it
- you may find depending on your background that some of the stuff is wrong, just grin and bear and take a deep breath and remember what the CAA want ticked in the exams and put out of your mind any learning that you may have done at considerable cost at an established highly esteemed university. Just grin and bear it
- nearer to the exams (say a month out) sign up to the Bristol online database and have the pleasure of practicing questions that remarkably look the same as those you will find in the ATPL exams. Wink wink.
- there is a really useful forum on the Bristol.gs website where there is a fair amount of useful information and questions that is available for free. They will even answer questions raised so it can be a great place to find out something that even your instructor isn't totally sure about.
If you can try and do a bit of flying so that you don't completely lose the plot although this is a nice extra. Good luck!
- become a master of the CRP5
- hows your maths? (check out this thread http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=239266)
- at times it will be so dull and tedious that you will almost lose the will to live. Don't worry we have all been through it, just grin and bear it
- as you go through the subjects you will find there is much repetition. Just grin and bear it
- you may find depending on your background that some of the stuff is wrong, just grin and bear and take a deep breath and remember what the CAA want ticked in the exams and put out of your mind any learning that you may have done at considerable cost at an established highly esteemed university. Just grin and bear it
- nearer to the exams (say a month out) sign up to the Bristol online database and have the pleasure of practicing questions that remarkably look the same as those you will find in the ATPL exams. Wink wink.
- there is a really useful forum on the Bristol.gs website where there is a fair amount of useful information and questions that is available for free. They will even answer questions raised so it can be a great place to find out something that even your instructor isn't totally sure about.
If you can try and do a bit of flying so that you don't completely lose the plot although this is a nice extra. Good luck!
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Thank you for that! Congrats on passing them all.
I have taken on board what you say (funnily enough, many people have suggested the Bristol GS!!) and I intend to spend the next six months eagerly and earnestly practising for the exams.
oh the flying would be nice too, if only the beautiful english weather holds up!
x
I have taken on board what you say (funnily enough, many people have suggested the Bristol GS!!) and I intend to spend the next six months eagerly and earnestly practising for the exams.
oh the flying would be nice too, if only the beautiful english weather holds up!
x
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Hi
I myself only passed my ATPL exams not so long back. First of all its going to be perfectly nornmal to feel slightly nervous or intimidated by the amount of information you are expected to remember, you're only human!
I never had the best education to be honest, no A levels or degree, and quite frankly poor GCSE's. I embarked on a ATPL course after a getting hooked after a trial flight, and have never looked back since. There will be plenty of people on your course for support, and plenty of people who have all been there to give guidance along the way, you will never be alone. Try not to be stressed by the amount of information you have to learn, easier said than done I know, but as time goes on everything makes sense believe me!
1. Do leave yourself time off to relax, and think of something else, or do something else non aviation related. Going to bed at night thinking of the whizz wheel, and charts and formulas etc is not good for you, so budget for night out every so often, it helped me anyway.
2. Involve yourself with the most positive members of your course, always helps.
3. As mentioned earlier by another user on the forum, the Bristol Groundschool question bank, they are fantastic!!! Do learn your subject material inside and out, but as mentioned earlier on the forum, a month or so before get on the question bank, I saw question after question after question that was the same as the BGS question bank, I cannot endorse them enough, YOU WILL PASS THE LOT, Id put money on it!!
4. Finally when the going gets tough, just take a step back and remember why you are doing what you are doing, family and friends are very important.
The very best of luck.
I myself only passed my ATPL exams not so long back. First of all its going to be perfectly nornmal to feel slightly nervous or intimidated by the amount of information you are expected to remember, you're only human!
I never had the best education to be honest, no A levels or degree, and quite frankly poor GCSE's. I embarked on a ATPL course after a getting hooked after a trial flight, and have never looked back since. There will be plenty of people on your course for support, and plenty of people who have all been there to give guidance along the way, you will never be alone. Try not to be stressed by the amount of information you have to learn, easier said than done I know, but as time goes on everything makes sense believe me!
1. Do leave yourself time off to relax, and think of something else, or do something else non aviation related. Going to bed at night thinking of the whizz wheel, and charts and formulas etc is not good for you, so budget for night out every so often, it helped me anyway.
2. Involve yourself with the most positive members of your course, always helps.
3. As mentioned earlier by another user on the forum, the Bristol Groundschool question bank, they are fantastic!!! Do learn your subject material inside and out, but as mentioned earlier on the forum, a month or so before get on the question bank, I saw question after question after question that was the same as the BGS question bank, I cannot endorse them enough, YOU WILL PASS THE LOT, Id put money on it!!
4. Finally when the going gets tough, just take a step back and remember why you are doing what you are doing, family and friends are very important.
The very best of luck.
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Fantastic advice Born4theskys,
It can also help to put in a little flying during your studies, I joined a club, got a great block rate on a PA28 and make an effort to fly to somewhere interesting once a fortnight. It keeps you current and helps you realise why you are doing all the work.
I would also add that the OAT Met CDROM and their instruments book is worth a look. It certainly helped me out!
Plus any feedback that is doing the rounds is worth having, keep practicing questions until you are sick
as it helps not only to get you up to speed for the exams, but also spot what the JAA are looking for in a question. This, in some cases, is an artform in it's own!
Good luck
It can also help to put in a little flying during your studies, I joined a club, got a great block rate on a PA28 and make an effort to fly to somewhere interesting once a fortnight. It keeps you current and helps you realise why you are doing all the work.
I would also add that the OAT Met CDROM and their instruments book is worth a look. It certainly helped me out!
Plus any feedback that is doing the rounds is worth having, keep practicing questions until you are sick
as it helps not only to get you up to speed for the exams, but also spot what the JAA are looking for in a question. This, in some cases, is an artform in it's own!Good luck
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Thank you for that. sometimes you do tend to find yourself caught up in the whole aviation thing. ( which is of course why we lay ourselves out on the line to get where we want to be!).
x
x
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Thanks for this. I will use the search function next time. Can i also ask where you did your ATPL's. I am having last minute worries that i have made the right decision. I am going to full time study at OAT but having seen that i can get it a thousand or so cheaper if i go to Bournmouth or Orlando Im thinking have i done the right thing???
I know OAT is one the top schools but is it worth paying the extra money??
V1
I know OAT is one the top schools but is it worth paying the extra money??
V1
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Hi
Just thought Id stress something which callsign kilo said about keeping current in flying. This is very good and practical advice as far as Im concerned. Looking back to when I was doing my exams, I only did the odd flight here and there, and then eventually stopped eventually half way through and tryed to concentrate my efforts on just my theory. I wish I had not stopped now, as when I started again it does take a while just to pick up where you left off and get back up to scratch.
I still have a while to go myself. Got good rate on a C152, so hour building while doing shift work to bring in extra cash. As I say, just remind yourself why you are choosing this career. You'll be doing a job you've always dreamed of while the majority of the country dreads going to work!
Lets face it, in world where a large proportion of our life is spent at work, what is a couple of years of hard work to achive a lifetime of job satisfaction.
Go for it, and the very best of luck.
Just thought Id stress something which callsign kilo said about keeping current in flying. This is very good and practical advice as far as Im concerned. Looking back to when I was doing my exams, I only did the odd flight here and there, and then eventually stopped eventually half way through and tryed to concentrate my efforts on just my theory. I wish I had not stopped now, as when I started again it does take a while just to pick up where you left off and get back up to scratch.
I still have a while to go myself. Got good rate on a C152, so hour building while doing shift work to bring in extra cash. As I say, just remind yourself why you are choosing this career. You'll be doing a job you've always dreamed of while the majority of the country dreads going to work!
Lets face it, in world where a large proportion of our life is spent at work, what is a couple of years of hard work to achive a lifetime of job satisfaction.
Go for it, and the very best of luck.
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Good positive attitude!! Yes, we are lucky that we KNOW what we want to do, where most people have no idea and just take life as it comes.Stick with it and you will eventually see rewards! I'm just about to start ATPL groundschool myself.
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London Met
Hi Stumpyotoole,
Get on with it retard!!
Fantastic text last night, thanks for that, had me rolling in the isles for ages.
See ya tonight, have fun at work!!
Capitano Dannyc
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Get on with it retard!!
Fantastic text last night, thanks for that, had me rolling in the isles for ages.
See ya tonight, have fun at work!!
Capitano Dannyc
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Yeah im starting at London met in a weeks time to so ill see you there stumpyotoole. I just like to raise another question and that is how much of your time out of the class room, on average, will be taken up by studying?