Wikiposts
Search
Professional Pilot Training (includes ground studies) A forum for those on the steep path to that coveted professional licence. Whether studying for the written exams, training for the flight tests or building experience here's where you can hang out.

How to study ATPL (Distance learning)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 7th Feb 2012, 16:40
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: uk
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
How to study ATPL (Distance learning)

Hi, I started my ATPL with the Metropolitan University of London a few weeks ago and by the moment studying hard Principles of flight.

I read that I will need at least 60 hours to this subject, but I know it will take me much longer, since the instructor advised me reading ALL the book, answering all the questions and doing all the tests.

I am doing exactly that, but it takes me some time to understand some concepts, outline, summarize and copy the most important to go through all the main concepts afterwards, improving the general outlook.

Am I doing well? I want to LEARN, not just doing tests to pass the exams, but studying 15 hours per week as advised, I´ll need two months to finish this first subject, not 1 as it says in the "suggested study programme"

How did you manage?

Cheers¡
flying free.LEVC is offline  
Old 7th Feb 2012, 17:15
  #2 (permalink)  
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 14,221
Received 48 Likes on 24 Posts
Probably about right. It took me a lot less, but I already had a degree in PofF (well, aeronautical engineering, which is pretty much the same thing). I certainly took that sort of time with subjects like Air Law, that I really had to work hard at.

The main things, which it sounds like you've grasped, is to learn by doing, and to aim for understanding before just getting into question spotting.

The fact is, there's an enormous amount of material there and it does take a very long time to get through it.

G
Genghis the Engineer is offline  
Old 18th Feb 2012, 12:17
  #3 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: uk
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks a lot for your answer.

I am reading every single page of the books and trying to understand everything, but I see that eventually I will need to hit a good question bank, many questions are different.

Could anyone advised me a good/updated question bank for the new syllabus??

I´ve heard about EASA bank, aviation exam, Bristol, ATL online...but which one is updated for the new exams in 2012???

Thanks a lot
flying free.LEVC is offline  
Old 23rd Feb 2012, 21:06
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: London
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I’d say if you understand 80 – 90% of the subject, move onto the Question Bank. Going through the questions and reading the answer explanations (make sure you sign up for a QB that includes answers) will help you learn more of the content. There’s also the brushup course to cover any areas you are still having trouble with – sometimes the instructors will be able to explain something in a few minutes, in a different way from the textbook, and you’ll have an “aaaah now I get it” moment.


I’d also recommend a quick review of the subject content to understand which subjects and topics have some practical relevance (e.g. Flight Planning) so good to learn and understand, and some which do not and you just have to memorise facts for the exam. You can plan your study timetable accordingly. For example, I started memorising (e.g. number of fire extinguishers, oxygen masks, crash axes, colour-code for emergency supplies, obscure details of GPS and other rnav systems, …) towards the end of my study so I’d still remember them for the exam.


I did old syllabus (finished in Dec) but if you think I can help further, feel free PM me.

I used the Bristol QB but that was old syllabus, not sure whether it is the best option for new syllabus.
DiamondC is offline  
Old 25th Mar 2012, 17:51
  #5 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: uk
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Good afternoon to everybody,

I am doing one of the feedback progress tests at the moment and I´ve seen that sometimes i am not able to answer specific questions even looking for it in the book.

I´m doing exams in August and considering using the Bristol bank together with my online Londonmet program.

Do you think it would be worth? has anyone got experience passing with good marks after studying just the bank of Londonmet?

I will appreciate your help. The problem is that i would get low marks if i just studied the books

Best wishes.
flying free.LEVC is offline  
Old 25th Mar 2012, 19:17
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: EU
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
London Met have a habit of telling students ATPL Online is rubbish. Ignore them and get onto ATPL Online. It's the only way to play the examiners game.
pudoc is offline  
Old 27th Mar 2012, 07:56
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My experience of weblearn (the London Met online QB) was that it was littered with mistakes. It tests you at a level higher than what you would actually experience in the real exams which can be helpful, but it's difficult to trust the correct answers given. ATPL Online does the job perfectly
AJ1990 is offline  
Old 27th Mar 2012, 09:47
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Great Britain
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It's not easy doing the course via DL.

Read all of each of the books. It'll give you an understanding of the subject. You may not need to be able to recite it all but you'll at least be familiar with it when various subjects pop up in either interview or whilst working as a pilot.

Once you've read all of the books and you're approaching exam time, you need to play at the examiners game! Use the question bank. The questions are often so poorly written that you'll find it difficult to figure out exactly what they are asking. The new EASA question bank still needs to be developed. It's certainly not as accurate as the old JAA syllabus but with time, it will become another powerful aide to revision.

The exams are there to cut the chaff. The practical tests for your CPL and IR as well as the interview and type rating are where you'll be tested properly.

Good luck. Stick at it.
SunderlandMatt is offline  
Old 27th Mar 2012, 11:14
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Madrid
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi, I had a good experience with Aviationexam.com. They are adding explanations to questions. I was using their web and pc soft, but I remember they were offering also applications for iPads or iPhones.
737Pablo is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.