JAA ATPL Theory
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JAA ATPL Theory
Hi Everyone!
I have attempted trawling through forums on here but struggling to find anything recent so thought I was start a new thread to ask my question. Apologies if its been asked before or my searching ability is lacking!
I am looking to commence training for my ATPL via the modular route and have been researching a number of ground school training providers specifically looking at the distance learning.
I have so far looked at Bristol Ground School, London Met Uni, Bournemouth CFT, Cabair, Oxford Aviation Academy and Cranfield Aviation and also requested details to be sent through (though have only received from Bristol and London Met).
Looking at what they each offer I am leaning towards Bristol GS but wanted to see if anyone has used any of the above and can provide any recommendations???
Thanks in advance and very much appreciated!
Terry
I have attempted trawling through forums on here but struggling to find anything recent so thought I was start a new thread to ask my question. Apologies if its been asked before or my searching ability is lacking!
I am looking to commence training for my ATPL via the modular route and have been researching a number of ground school training providers specifically looking at the distance learning.
I have so far looked at Bristol Ground School, London Met Uni, Bournemouth CFT, Cabair, Oxford Aviation Academy and Cranfield Aviation and also requested details to be sent through (though have only received from Bristol and London Met).
Looking at what they each offer I am leaning towards Bristol GS but wanted to see if anyone has used any of the above and can provide any recommendations???
Thanks in advance and very much appreciated!
Terry
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Hi Terry,
I think it all comes down to personal preference. Also influencing factors such as your location, your age, what would be most convenient for you etc.
I can only really speak of BCFT for ATPL ground school, as thats where I have studied. I will say though, when I did my research, I looked around at a couple of other schools (modular);
* Cabair - Seemed ok, though not for me. If you are early 20's and have always yearned to wear a pilots uniform and Raybans, this place is for you.
* Oxford (groundschool) - Has the name, but at the end of the day, you are paying alot more for just that. Otherwise offers just the same as the other schools. In fact from what I hear from friends who have been there, the modular don't get the same treatment as their lucrative integrated students.
* BCFT - Is a good school. Good instructors, nice relaxed atmosphere, the instructors do their best to put you in a position to not only pass your exams, but have a good foundation of the subjects.
I can't comment on anywhere else, as I have no personal experience of these other places. I ended up opting for BCFT in the end as they gave me the best feel of the place, and in hindsight, I made the right choice.
Whichever place you choose, I can't emphasise enough to go and pay a visit to the schools you're looking at. When you gonna spend 6 months there in groundschool (trust me its a long 6 months), you really want to be sure you will be comfortable there.
In any case best of luck.
I think it all comes down to personal preference. Also influencing factors such as your location, your age, what would be most convenient for you etc.
I can only really speak of BCFT for ATPL ground school, as thats where I have studied. I will say though, when I did my research, I looked around at a couple of other schools (modular);
* Cabair - Seemed ok, though not for me. If you are early 20's and have always yearned to wear a pilots uniform and Raybans, this place is for you.
* Oxford (groundschool) - Has the name, but at the end of the day, you are paying alot more for just that. Otherwise offers just the same as the other schools. In fact from what I hear from friends who have been there, the modular don't get the same treatment as their lucrative integrated students.
* BCFT - Is a good school. Good instructors, nice relaxed atmosphere, the instructors do their best to put you in a position to not only pass your exams, but have a good foundation of the subjects.
I can't comment on anywhere else, as I have no personal experience of these other places. I ended up opting for BCFT in the end as they gave me the best feel of the place, and in hindsight, I made the right choice.
Whichever place you choose, I can't emphasise enough to go and pay a visit to the schools you're looking at. When you gonna spend 6 months there in groundschool (trust me its a long 6 months), you really want to be sure you will be comfortable there.
In any case best of luck.
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Hi SweetChariot,
Thanks for the reply! I am really looking at the distance learning rather than the "on site" training. As much I would prefer not to have to, staying in full time employment is the sacrifice to be made to pay for the training
What I have managed to research about those three you mention would appear to steer to BCFT.
Thanks again!!
Thanks for the reply! I am really looking at the distance learning rather than the "on site" training. As much I would prefer not to have to, staying in full time employment is the sacrifice to be made to pay for the training
What I have managed to research about those three you mention would appear to steer to BCFT.
Thanks again!!
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I think the difficulty with that question will be that if someone has studied somewhere they will naturally recommend that school, unless one person has studied at more than one place how then how can they give a truly independent comparison.
I’m in the middle of module 1 at BGS. I’ve had a great time with the course work so far but I have yet to go to the brush up course they run or sit the first round of exams. If I pass them all does that mean the school is brilliant or that I’ve work really hard? Conversely If I fail them all does that mean that the school is bad or that I haven’t put the effort in required to get the marks needed?
All I can say is that I’m pleased with the help that I’ve received That I like the way the course has been structure and that the staff have done all they can to make me feel like I’m not a number on an accounts sheet.
I’m in the middle of module 1 at BGS. I’ve had a great time with the course work so far but I have yet to go to the brush up course they run or sit the first round of exams. If I pass them all does that mean the school is brilliant or that I’ve work really hard? Conversely If I fail them all does that mean that the school is bad or that I haven’t put the effort in required to get the marks needed?
All I can say is that I’m pleased with the help that I’ve received That I like the way the course has been structure and that the staff have done all they can to make me feel like I’m not a number on an accounts sheet.
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Hi Goldman, thanks for that. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on Bristols training materials (manuals and dvds)...they certainly look impressive on their site and the intro dvd they sent and look better than other schools materials....that said I may just be a sucker for fancy dvds and glossy binders
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Similar position as you - distant learning whilst in full time job. I was initially looking at BGS but then their revision weeks are split into 2 x 2 week courses...meaning 4 weeks off work in total, which I couldn't do.
Cranfield (CATS) on the other hand do it in 3 x 1 week courses so only 3 weeks off needed. Plus the fact that you can't beat them on price (£999 is their cheapest option, compared to £2100 for BGS).
So to compromise I went with CATS and bought some second hand BGS manuals to support my studies. Oh and of course used their question bank before exams.
The results so far - 99% average with 4 exams to go.
Cranfield (CATS) on the other hand do it in 3 x 1 week courses so only 3 weeks off needed. Plus the fact that you can't beat them on price (£999 is their cheapest option, compared to £2100 for BGS).
So to compromise I went with CATS and bought some second hand BGS manuals to support my studies. Oh and of course used their question bank before exams.
The results so far - 99% average with 4 exams to go.
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The bookwork
This is clear and precise; the text is plane and of the right size that’s easy to read this is important as you will be looking at these books for a long, long time. It split into easily manageable chunks of information with important notes in the margins giving you a good indication of the main points of focus. It has a liberal helping of diagrams to help you build a mental picture of that particular point.
The DVD
This is used alongside the bookwork and also has the advantage of progress tests along the way to insure that you’ve understood the points in question and to help clarify where you’ve misunderstood or still need more guidance. This also comes with some instructional video presentations on things like Gyroscopic principles, CRP 5, Auto land, FMS etc (I’m Finding that Really helpful).
They also have an active forum, that when you don’t understand and need further guidance of asking a question of one of the tutors the helps never more than a few clicks away.
When you think your approaching the end of your course they also have an extensive question bank to test yourself on.
I’m very happy with my choice but talk to a few people that have walked the road at other places, don’t jump in and make a quick decision it’s a lot of work when you’re happy in it. It’s a massive laborious task that you’ll hate if your not!
This is clear and precise; the text is plane and of the right size that’s easy to read this is important as you will be looking at these books for a long, long time. It split into easily manageable chunks of information with important notes in the margins giving you a good indication of the main points of focus. It has a liberal helping of diagrams to help you build a mental picture of that particular point.
The DVD
This is used alongside the bookwork and also has the advantage of progress tests along the way to insure that you’ve understood the points in question and to help clarify where you’ve misunderstood or still need more guidance. This also comes with some instructional video presentations on things like Gyroscopic principles, CRP 5, Auto land, FMS etc (I’m Finding that Really helpful).
They also have an active forum, that when you don’t understand and need further guidance of asking a question of one of the tutors the helps never more than a few clicks away.
When you think your approaching the end of your course they also have an extensive question bank to test yourself on.
I’m very happy with my choice but talk to a few people that have walked the road at other places, don’t jump in and make a quick decision it’s a lot of work when you’re happy in it. It’s a massive laborious task that you’ll hate if your not!
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Thanks guys!
Just to check, darksoldier you mentioned the 4 weeks of work with BGS and only 3 weeks with CATS. Am I right in understanding that each brush up by a week doing the exams therefore your 4 weeks actually becomes 6 weeks off work etc and therefore a total of 6 weeks for CATS to?
That's how I understand it to be but thought I'd check before approaching it with work
Just to check, darksoldier you mentioned the 4 weeks of work with BGS and only 3 weeks with CATS. Am I right in understanding that each brush up by a week doing the exams therefore your 4 weeks actually becomes 6 weeks off work etc and therefore a total of 6 weeks for CATS to?
That's how I understand it to be but thought I'd check before approaching it with work
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I just got the results from my first 8Atpl exams today. I got a 96% average. I used Bristol GS. Course is excellent. Teachers are excellent. Im half way through module 2 and im very happy with my choice.
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If I pass them all does that mean the school is brilliant or that I’ve work really hard? Conversely If I fail them all does that mean that the school is bad or that I haven’t put the effort in required to get the marks needed?
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terryp it's three one week brush up's i.e. three weeks in total you have to take of work. It was one of the reasons I chose CATS (that and the price) it was easier for me to get a three single weeks off work instead of 2x14 days with most other schools.
Although remember no matter what school you choose, you will also have to take time off work to sit the exams.
regards D-G
Although remember no matter what school you choose, you will also have to take time off work to sit the exams.
regards D-G
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Bristol Ground school all the way. Their reputation is built on years of constant top results which gets better all the time. Im an average guy with no A-levels or degrees and i had my Mod 2 results yesterday and averaged 98%!! Thats all 14 passed 1st time with a 96% average. There is no way in the world i could of done this without Bristol and the study manuals.
Good luck who ever you choose.
Good luck who ever you choose.
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Just to check, darksoldier you mentioned the 4 weeks of work with BGS and only 3 weeks with CATS. Am I right in understanding that each brush up by a week doing the exams therefore your 4 weeks actually becomes 6 weeks off work etc and therefore a total of 6 weeks for CATS to
with CATS you need 3 x 1 weeks for the brush ups and then 9 days (3 x 3 days) for the exams (so 24 days off in total)
so you need 4 days less and it costs over £1k less.
I think the main consensus is that as long as you use their online question bank to prep for the exams, which is available to anyone, it doesn't matter who you sign up with to do it distance learning...
