JAA ATPL Distance Learning Ground School

[GoldenMonkey]

Hello there acuba 290

I would say that Distance Learning works for some and not for others. It all depends on your self discipline, your aptitude and how much you are in a rush to finish. I did distance learning though Bristol from August 2003 through August 2004. It worked for me. I had to keep my job going for financial reasons. I used to study on the tube to and from work and then devote what ever else I needed to in the evenings/weekends in order to get through whatever I'd set for that week. After thoroughly going through each subject in the order Bristol recommends, completing all of the progress tests, I then revised once through each subject before attending the brush up weeks where you really do get it crammed into you.
The support is excellent. I would email any queries and found they'd be answered within a day. Also there is a study forum which I made use of also.
Regarding Oxford vs Bristol... I can't say. I didn't do both. I believe they are both good courses. Bristol certainly did me proud.


Best of luck with whatever you choose.

GM

[acuba 290]

and you was never thinking about "i should have take a fulltime better..."? (I mean without thinking about current job)

[KrazyKraut]

When it comes to deciding between FT or DL, the 'external circumstances' such as job, family etc. are obviously important. But there's something else, often overlooked, that's just as important: The 'internal circumstance' of discipline and your ability to sit in a chair when you really can't be bothered and study tons of material.

Nothing in the ATPLs is particularly hard, but there a lot of it, and especially for DL cadets it takes the discipline to actually sit down and do it when there's no-one making you, such as in a classroom environment. No school can help you with that - it's up to you. And there are people who have all the time in the world, yet never finish a distance learning course, whereas others have family and job and get it all done in the evenings... it's really up to you, and how focussed you are.

OAT, Bristol, Cabair and GTS are pretty good for DL.

Yeah,

KK.

[DJRC]

Just wondering if anyone can advise me here - I'm thinking of taking a job which works a 7 (12 hour) day on, 7 day off rota. With a hefty commute either side of that day, I won't have any time to study ATPL theory during the week on, but will have ample time during the week off. Would it still be possible to successfully manage such a course when I can only study every other week or not? Oh, and I would be looking to do my PPL as well.

All feedback appreciated, as I don't want to accept a job that I have to bail out of in a few months if I can't manage both.

[Bandit650]

My personal opinion. Yes. But having just started the ATPL ground its early days for me to give an informed opinion. Driving at the theory full time for a period of seven days is probably better than doing 3 hrs an evening after work, when you are tired, anyway. You'll also have the benefit of lots of clear head starts in the mornings.

I was susprised to discover a degree of overlap between PPL and ATPL theory. I expected the ATPL course to assume you had PPL knowledge - but it doesn't. For example, just a minute go I was studying how pressure instruments work just as I did for the PPL (more detail though at ATPL definately).

The PPL flying will also feed into the ATPL work in terms of providing a continuous flame of motivation. But make no mistake about the level of commitment you're taking on here and be careful not to overdo it and get demotivated and disheartened.

[Whirlygig]

Originally Posted by DJRC

Just wondering if anyone can advise me here - I'm thinking of taking a job which works a 7 (12 hour) day on, 7 day off rota. With a hefty commute either side of that day, I won't have any time to study ATPL theory during the week on, but will have ample time during the week off.

I work a normal Mon-Fri 9-5 job which, with travelling, totals 50 hours a week working. Over two weeks that's 100 hours; you're doing about the same! I would find it easier with your roster! I don't think you'd have a problem as long as you know in advance what your hours are going to be!

Cheers

Whirls

[davey147]

ATPL Distance Learning

I am planning on enroling on the ATPL Distance leaning course next year.

I have been researching schools and have two in mind, either Oxford or Bristol. From what I have read both schools have an excellent reputation but Brisols notes are suppost to be slightly better.

What is currently persuading me to go with Oxford at the moment is the price, they are quite a bit cheaper than Bristol. Also the examination centre is there and their onsite accomodation is cheap too.

I would like some info from students who have attended these courses, mainly regarding the two week refresher parts, how good are they? What are the facilities at Bristol like? etc.

Thank you in advance.

[dartagnan]

hi,

go with Bristol.GS. the books are fantastic, the school and teachers are great chaps.Training is relax. They will teach you what you have to know.

The only thing I hate at Bristol.GS is the British weather!

[wolf_wolf]

Friend of mine mentioned several JAA schools that do ATPL distance learning. Problem was the exams had to be attended in-situ, which adds significantly to the costs...

[expedite08]

Hi there,

I stongly reccomend Ground Training Services GTS, based at Bournemouth. Have just completed my Module 1 with them. Very professional and knowledgeable indeed.

DO NOT let the marketing hype at Oxford suck you in!!

I used the Bristol Online Q bank to supplement my studies. Moral of the post 92% average on all exams 1st time passes.

Feel free to PM me if you want any info or contact details of GTS

Cheers,

Expedite

[Mo91]

distance and the other type

Please could someone define the following for me:
Distance courses
Full-time courses

and I would also like to know how good this flight school is because with such cheap prices there must be a catch!
http://www.egnatia-aviation.com/About.htm
As the old cliche goes...if something seems too good to be true then it probably is!

I would appreciate any answers

[mcgoo]

Distance course = study at home
full time course = go to the school every day

there is a thread on egnatia aviation, have a look there

[Mo91]

clarity

Thanks for the response....but...how can you study at home?

[mcgoo]

err, how do you mean?

[davey147]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I think hes asking how to study at home. Well get your books sit down and read them at home, rather than reading them in school. Cant put it any better than that.

[chrisbl]

Originally Posted by wolf_wolf

Are there any JAA schools that do 'pure' ATPL distance learning ? Like zero residential attendance necessary, and the exams can be organised to be completed where ever you may be in the world ?

Afraid the attendance at the school on the distance learning is part of the rules as they have to sign you off for the exams.
I am sure the schools dont protest about it too much, its a nice little earner.

[paco]

You have to do a minimum of 10% of the distance learning hours in the classroom before taking the exams. It's for stuff that can't easily be dealt with over distance, and to fill in gaps from the notes, if any, but in practice is "practice papers"

Expect the process to take around 6 months, if you can manage to study Mon-Fr, 9-5, but a more realistic target is 15 hours per week, which means nearer 11 months, without the exams.

Phil

[TANGO TANGO]

Best route??

Hello all,
I was wondering which would be the best route for ground school:-
distance with bristol / oxford or inhouse with cranfield or ... well who ever really! just looking for some 'up to date' info from people who have recently gone or are going through the whole groundschool thing. Any information would be greatly appreaciated on any school.

Thank's in advance... pprune first timer

[gibr monkey]

There is no right or wrong way... what ever suits you at the time.

Bristol has a good reputation and so has Oxford/ Cranfield....

I did mine distance learning.... I struggled with it as I had a full time job and children at home but I had no option to do distance.....

Personally I would suggest doing a full time course, as it is slightly quicker and you are 100 % focussed on the job at hand.
Trying understand Gyros at home in the study , it would be better in a class room because you can ask those stupid questions staright out...

but it won't be cheap at full time course.

[jarvis123]

If you are able to choose, always go for the taught course.

Having said that not everyone is able to elect to go on a full time course...like me.

If that is the case I would strongly recommend GTS for distance learning.