Groundschool classes or self study?
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Concrete Jungle
Am about to start the modular route, question was:
For the PPL phase, would like to hear opinions if groundschool classes are necessary or is self study enough to get you through?
Are the groundschool classes an unnecessary outlay or a luxury in terms of cost, I was looking at stapleford's 6 day brush up classes and cabair's 18 week programme.
Cabair's is Ģ411 for the 18 weeks (exams included)
Stapleford's is Ģ35 per day (9am - 5pm) x6
Your views would be appreciated.
For the PPL phase, would like to hear opinions if groundschool classes are necessary or is self study enough to get you through?
Are the groundschool classes an unnecessary outlay or a luxury in terms of cost, I was looking at stapleford's 6 day brush up classes and cabair's 18 week programme.
Cabair's is Ģ411 for the 18 weeks (exams included)
Stapleford's is Ģ35 per day (9am - 5pm) x6
Your views would be appreciated.
Hovering AND talking

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
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From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Unless you have no discipline for self-study, PPL studies can be completed from the books at home easily. So can ATPL (with the required brush-up courses).
Cheers
Whirls
Cheers
Whirls
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Hammsterdam
Well..... is all that above means, that in UK is possible to apply for PPL exams just 'right from the street' ?
No obligatory ground school or whatever / only with self study preparation?
Much obliged for an answer.
No obligatory ground school or whatever / only with self study preparation?

Much obliged for an answer.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 80
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From: Ireland
whirly,
Think your wrong there. I know the IAA requires a certain number of hours of groundschool must be completed, sorry I cant think of the figure off the top of my head but there is one. The hours must be completed and an instructor must sign off to say he/she has completed the groundschool.
IAA application form:
http://www.iaa.ie/files/2009/docs/20...AR-FCL_PPL.pdf
note section 3
Think your wrong there. I know the IAA requires a certain number of hours of groundschool must be completed, sorry I cant think of the figure off the top of my head but there is one. The hours must be completed and an instructor must sign off to say he/she has completed the groundschool.
IAA application form:
http://www.iaa.ie/files/2009/docs/20...AR-FCL_PPL.pdf
note section 3
Hovering AND talking

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
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From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
EI-CON, the questioner specifically asked about the UK. I answered with respect to the UK of which, since 1922, Ireland has not been part.
Cheers
Whirls
Cheers
Whirls
Hovering AND talking

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
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From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
You would normally sit the PPL exams at the school with whom you are going to do the flying. However, if both schools agree, you could (and I did) sit the exams at one school and carry out the flying with another.
Cheers
Whirls
Cheers
Whirls
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Ireland
whirly, appologise for posting on the IAA however they are both part of JAA so I assumed similar requirements.
However I still find it hard to believe the CAA doesnt reqire one to do groundschool and the IAA does. But maybe so I can on post on what I've experienced i.e. the IAA.
However I still find it hard to believe the CAA doesnt reqire one to do groundschool and the IAA does. But maybe so I can on post on what I've experienced i.e. the IAA.
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: West Wales and Zug, Switzerland
If I remember correctly (which I usually don't) you only need ground school for PPL if you fail any subject more than 3 times. The requirement for CPL/ATPL is for 4 weeks ground school to be signed off by the school.
PPL exams can be done at any FTO.
This is in the UK.
PPL exams can be done at any FTO.
This is in the UK.
Hovering AND talking

Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
But maybe so I can on post on what I've experienced i.e. the IAA.
Cheers
Whirls
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 89
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From: Australia
I'm not a pilot, but even for the PPL I think sharing the learning experience with a group of other students is a good thing. This schooling will obviously cost, so a study group of like-minded people could be an alternative...personally I enjoy being presented with material to consider and assess rather than self-study alone with some rather dry textbooks for comapny. I know the tests aren't "difficult", but that doesn't mean the learning has to be ALARP. If you intend to process further, then it will be money well-spent IMO.
hugel
hugel
Hovering AND talking

Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
I think sharing the learning experience with a group of other students is a good thing.
Personally, I couldn't think of anything worse .... much prefer to study on my own and more productive too. Cheers
Whirls
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 89
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From: Australia
I think there is a difference between being spoonfed and learning with others. Presumably life as a pilot is one of self-reliance (any psychologists in da house?) so I imagine many of those aspiring to become a pilot prefer to be in control of the learning experience...
Anyone who has suffered from mistakes and lack of clarity in textbooks will understand the limitations of studying alone...these days of course we have ...fora !
hugel
Anyone who has suffered from mistakes and lack of clarity in textbooks will understand the limitations of studying alone...these days of course we have ...fora !
hugel





?
And prefer taking exams in english.