ATPL Ground School Cabir Bournemouth v BCFT Bournemouth

[nibs2007]

Ladies Gentleman

Once again need some help to choose groundschool, i have got Cabir in bournemouth V BCFT, which one have good instructors, i guess the pass rate depends on individuals.

Looking forward to your replies.

Many Thanks

Happy new years to all


Nabeel

[jxc]

I would interested in knowing too as moving to south coast from suffolk and am looking at the same thing !

[maxdrypower]

Try searching , there is a lot on both on here already , then visit both and decide what suits you best , whats good for one isnt good for the other. I chose BCFT due to horror stories about the other and their clas sizes

[nibs2007]

Thanks mate for very prompt reply, have you finished yours at BCFT, and when or if you are still there, whats the place like...

[fadge]

I am just finishing up my ATPL training with Cabair Bournemouth (EPTA) and I must say that I am really happy with my experience. The school is growing and class sizes are approx 20 students per class. I believe they want to keep classes around this size and are planning an additional class for new students in 2008. I found the instructors to be top quality and will really go out of their way to help you. They have many many years of experience and have an excellent understanding of what is required to pass exams. I have been at the school for the last six months and I have not heard of any horror stories that would substantiate the above comment. I think there is only so much instructors can do for a student.

I found the 3 module approach which Cabair take to be a better format than BCFTs. It allowed me to concentrate on fewer subject - albeit on a tighter time-scale and when the exams come around it gave me more time to review

[wbryce]

Many confuse the flying horror stories of cabair with the groundschool sometimes, its a big organisation...their modular groundschool is top quality, I finished up at cabair in November and loved the experience; I chose Cabair over BCFT because of the 3 module approach, i considered it to be less stressful; but i'm glad I did...I would be very suprised if you could get better instruction anywhere else! (hi steve)

[chris-squire]

I live just down the road from both. I've looked pretty extensively into each of them. The problem with BCFT is that they just dont have the access to HSBC funding. This was my main problem from the outset so I didnt have much choice in the end. But Cabair is a top notch FTO in my book and have no qualms in going there. I starting ATPL's in July if anyone else has similar plans???

Chris

[Finals19]

Bristol GS for groundschool - distance learning is by no means a handicap.

PAT Bournemouth for flight training - look like an excellent FTO.

Don't be fooled into thinking that integrated is going to give you that extra "edge" in getting the first job. Save your money.

[nibs2007]

Thanks for all your feedback, really helpfull, i know few faces in cabair who have been really helpfull.

chris-squire
hopefully i will be starting mine in around march april time. are you from EGHH area,

[chris-squire]

Nibs - EGHH area?

I originally wanted to start in eaither March or May but just couldn't get my loan and PPL & hours done in time so having to opt for July. But to be honest that isn't all bad because I'll finish ATPL's just about when the weather is starting to get better ready for CPL.

[KeithTo]

This is a bit off topic but is anyone starting Cabair GS in May?

[Lima288]

From personal experience, BCFT run a good groundschool, and if your intention is to continue to flying training, it's a great choice. Distance learning is fine if you have the time and discipline to see it through, but for me a 6 month residential course was the best route, as this ensured I avoided distractions - well, most of them!!. I enjoyed the 6 months at BCFT and am very happy with the results. It went very quickly (about 6 months in fact ), and the 2-module (7 exams per module) approach worked fine for me - the less times you have to visit Gatwick the better!! I'm also enjoying the flying training there - it was a smooth progression and the environment is great.
If you have completed any form of aptitude testing prior to commencement this may help a lot with a loan application as the bank will see that according to the test you have what it takes to complete the course. (I don't think Cabair have any magic wand to wave at HSBC)
Other than that, if you have the opportunity to visit your prospective training provider options, then do so - talk to the staff and talk to the students. It's well worth it. Choose the environment you think will work best for you. If you can't visit for any reason, you've made a good start here on the forum, and hopefully the feedback will help support your decision.
Best wishes for a successful course!!

[chris-squire]

BCFT did look very good and really professional when I visited on 3 seperate occasions. But trust me on this as I am speaking from very recent experience....unless HSBC have done a U-Turn over X-Mas, Cabair and OAT are your only options if you want a PSL with deferred payments. It's not just about doing the assessment. HSBC are lending the money on the basis that you are studying on 'an approved' route with 'an approved' trianing provider.

Believe me, I don't like the situation any more than you guys but that's just how it is at the mo.

Chris

[nibi786]

Cabair EPTA

Hi guys....
Ok so i have done all my ATPL exams with Cabair....I have studies at both Cranfield and Bournemouth divisions....AND....my verdict....
BOURNEMOUTH.....Im honestly saying this as both a very happy student and customer. I feel that Cabair Bournemouth are a VERY good training school for groundschool examinations.
The instructors are 110% dedicated to their students, giving up lunchtimes and after school time as well. VERY VERY supportive. They also operate in a manner that ensures YOU are exam ready....this way its more than likely that the exams you sit will be passed....overall...Im extremely happy with my training from them, and so are ALL the other people i know of there....

Happy New Year

Nibi

[nibs2007]

Hi Nibi786

Congrats, that you have completed your ATPeees! When did you complete your ATPeees. do instructors help in the evening's or weekends...

Nabeel

[chris-squire]

nibi - Firstly, congrats on passing your ATPL's! Secondly, it's good to hear some really positive stuff about Cabair Bournemouth as I'll be there next year. They always looked pretty good and they have been really helpful thus far so happy days ahead I rekon!

As mentioned in my previous post, BCFT also look very good. It's just a shame that HSBC tie you to Cabair or OAT. That's not a dig against Cabair in anyway before someone takes offence! I'm actually really looking forward to starting there and am happy with the training provider that I am using. I just don't like the way its becoming monopolised by the bank if you know what I mean.

Chris

[caspar]

I recently finished Ground School at Cabair Bournemouth and can agree with what people are saying here - it really is excellent. Sadly I was sat next to a certain wbryce most of the time (), but other than that, no complaints at all!

[nibi786]

yesssss

Cabair bmouth - prob the best GS school they have - as for the weekends, closer to exam ime, they tend too.....if you really need it that is but believe me so much help is given during the week - you are pretty well set up....and the CGI has email if you have burning questions and usually responds very quickly with great explanations

Nibi

[Lima288]

Interesting to hear about the "tie-in" with Cabair and HSBC - I had not realised that it was provider specific. I did the assessment at Cabair and they were pushing their schools, obviously.
When you say 'approved' route and training provider, approved by who?
Obviously anyone studying for a JAA ATPL will be following an "approved" route, as you can't get an ATPL through any other route. Also, all training providers for the JAA ATPL are "approved" by the CAA/JAA - they have to be! So I don't see how HSBC can say your course is OK with Cabair Modular but not with BCFT! Obviously I have no personal experience of this but it seems odd. I will mention this to the admin staff at BCFT and see if they have any feedback, but Cabair and OAT have the same "approved" status as BCFT - they just happen to be bigger and better known, with bigger marketing machines!!!

BCFT have also recently introduced the Jetline programme, which will take an ab-initio student through to fATPL. It's a modular course aligned to the integrated route - single training provider, but with modular flexibility. It appears to be very popular at the moment. I would be very surprised if this did not qualify for funding support.

Wherever you choose, best wishes for success!!
Happy New Year!!

[chris-squire]

Lima - I'm just the messenger! Obviously the course and provider is approved by HSBC and like it or not they can put whatever restrictions they like on their products. I looked at the BCFT Jetline programme, which is pretty much the same idea as Cabair's Airline Entry Scheme (formerly Pathfinder). It does look very good but like I said, until the bank starts allowing funding for study at that school then its OAT or Cabair I'm afraid. I was talking to Dena Dove about it a few months ago. I think the thing to bear in mind is that HSBC are just trying to cover their arse when lending. Its ok for them to have actual security in the form of assets but they dont actually want to start reposessing houses if they can possibly avoid it in any way. So the next best thing to physical assets is them being confident in what they are lending for. That's by no means to say that Cabair and OAT are the only ones because they're the best but simply because they seem to be the ones who have gone to the bank and actively looked to help their students. Of course I'm not so naieve to think that it's all done out of the kindness of their heart, they are a business after all. But they've done it none the less.

As for the assessments...... I've only done the Cabair one but as far as I know OAT's is different. Yes the training that you receive is fundamentally the same and what your saying is exactly what I said when I found out how restrictive it all actually is.

It won't be long before BCFT and others open discussions with the bank if they haven't done so already. I can't se ehow they can afford not to!Particularly with HSBC agreeing to fund full ab-initio students on AES as opposed to only from ATPL's onward i.e not PPL and Hours.