best ATPL distance learning course?
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best ATPL distance learning course?
I know that the value of one training school versus another in light of people losing their skills due to unemployment has been debated in another thread in the wanabees forum; but can anyone advise me which are the ones to consider & which to avoid in terms of cost and success rates for job hunting after?
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Distance Learning
worriedwife
To be honest I'm not sure that there is too much in the "I went to Oxford/Cabair/Bristol etc" argument.
What you really should focus on (IMHO) with regards distance learning is the back up that the distance learner receives from the school.
I did a modular course at OATS but have a few freinds that did the distance learning grind from a few different schools. The two (again IMHO) to look at are OATS and Bristol.
Both have good back up and facilities for distance learners with online help and excellent brushup courses and happy to help via phone or e mail.
I'll not mention the schools that (IMHO again) dont deliver but if you would like to know who I think they are mail me and I'll be happy to expand.
Cheers
TBL
To be honest I'm not sure that there is too much in the "I went to Oxford/Cabair/Bristol etc" argument.
What you really should focus on (IMHO) with regards distance learning is the back up that the distance learner receives from the school.
I did a modular course at OATS but have a few freinds that did the distance learning grind from a few different schools. The two (again IMHO) to look at are OATS and Bristol.
Both have good back up and facilities for distance learners with online help and excellent brushup courses and happy to help via phone or e mail.
I'll not mention the schools that (IMHO again) dont deliver but if you would like to know who I think they are mail me and I'll be happy to expand.
Cheers
TBL
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As The Boy says Oxford and Bristol are probably the best two on the market for Distance Learning. I did mine at Bristol and found them very good.
However which ever school you finally choose, don`t under-estimate the sheer volume of work involved and the amount of time it will take.
If you are able why not visit the two schools and see which one is right for you. If you go during the last two weeks of the month there should also be students there on Brush-up courses who you can ask questions of.
DWW
However which ever school you finally choose, don`t under-estimate the sheer volume of work involved and the amount of time it will take.
If you are able why not visit the two schools and see which one is right for you. If you go during the last two weeks of the month there should also be students there on Brush-up courses who you can ask questions of.
DWW
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having recently completed the atpl course i would not recommend the material from the one i did.
I've seen the oxford stuff and brought some of it. It was much better than mine. I've heard good things about bristol too.
I've seen the oxford stuff and brought some of it. It was much better than mine. I've heard good things about bristol too.
soooooo..........
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I have just completed distance learning with Oxford. I passed all 14 exams first time. The quality of the notes is excellent,the instructors are always at the end of a phone or email. The two week brush ups are really where oxford stand alone. The instructors are superb and the amount of students who had been at other schools-failed and were now at Oxford told its own story.
I was working full time(well 30 out of every 31 days actually)and my full time education finished 19 years ago when I was 16. Make your own mind up!
I was working full time(well 30 out of every 31 days actually)and my full time education finished 19 years ago when I was 16. Make your own mind up!
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BRISTOL sounds the best.
they are highly specialized in aviation course.and the customer service is great. in fact, I did not find one negatif point.but it s just a question of time!
they are highly specialized in aviation course.and the customer service is great. in fact, I did not find one negatif point.but it s just a question of time!
Why do it if it's not fun?
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Here's what I did to decide.
First of all, I spoke to lots of people for advice, just like you're doing.
Then, I logged on to the CAA's website and got a list of all of the schools doing distance learing. I wrote to all of them, asking them a number of questions which I thought were relevant, and also asking for a sample of their notes, because I feel that the quality of the notes is the single most important thing for distance learning.
I heard back from all of them. Some got back to me immediately, some took a week or so. I ruled out anyone who took too long - for distance learning, I'd want to know that if I needed help, I'd be able to get it quickly, so response time was important.
Most of the schools invited me to visit them and look at their notes. Any who didn't, I ruled out. Only one school actually included a sample of their notes as I requested. I believe they send this sample to anyone who asks for any information - they weren't directly responding to my request - but the fact that they thought their notes were important enough to be included in their information pack says a lot about them.
Then I looked at the overall quality of the replies (which were generally standard information packs) from the schools. The best two happened to be the same two whose names kept coming up over and over again when I was speaking to people... they were Oxford and Bristol. I went with Bristol, although I doubt you'd have any complaints with either of those two.
Good luck!
FFF
---------------
First of all, I spoke to lots of people for advice, just like you're doing.
Then, I logged on to the CAA's website and got a list of all of the schools doing distance learing. I wrote to all of them, asking them a number of questions which I thought were relevant, and also asking for a sample of their notes, because I feel that the quality of the notes is the single most important thing for distance learning.
I heard back from all of them. Some got back to me immediately, some took a week or so. I ruled out anyone who took too long - for distance learning, I'd want to know that if I needed help, I'd be able to get it quickly, so response time was important.
Most of the schools invited me to visit them and look at their notes. Any who didn't, I ruled out. Only one school actually included a sample of their notes as I requested. I believe they send this sample to anyone who asks for any information - they weren't directly responding to my request - but the fact that they thought their notes were important enough to be included in their information pack says a lot about them.
Then I looked at the overall quality of the replies (which were generally standard information packs) from the schools. The best two happened to be the same two whose names kept coming up over and over again when I was speaking to people... they were Oxford and Bristol. I went with Bristol, although I doubt you'd have any complaints with either of those two.
Good luck!
FFF
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I did mine with Oxford. Whilst the quality of notes and phone / email instruction was excellent, it was the 2-week brush up which set them aside IMO. Really great teachers who made it all fall into place.
Passed most of my 14 1st time as a result.
Have heard Bristol is good as well. There were several on the Oxford brush-up who had already been at Guildhall and Cabair for ATPL learning, which must say something.
Passed most of my 14 1st time as a result.
Have heard Bristol is good as well. There were several on the Oxford brush-up who had already been at Guildhall and Cabair for ATPL learning, which must say something.
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I'm just setting out on my ATPL distance learning. I was going to go with a new Bournemouth based training provider as the instructors were well experienced and respected and the cost structure was quite attractive (you could pay in 4 installments rather than 2). But then I compared their notes to Bristols and I was blown away. It's like comparing a Fiat Panda to a Porsche. Bristols notes were FAR superior and they come with a rather flash CD ROM which has all the text plus loads of animations and examples. No contest, BGS got my vote (and money).
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I went to PPSC to start with. There instructors were excellent!!!
I believe that Keith williams, john standen (body parts/uncle john/Fart Box), and derek houghton all now work at EPTA in bournemouth.
They must be the best ATPL instructors around! Keiths folders (1000 questions) are fantastic, John is the best Met Man in europe, and derek is brilliant at Radio Nav and Instruments!
They certainly got me through my ATPL writtens!!!!!
I believe that Keith williams, john standen (body parts/uncle john/Fart Box), and derek houghton all now work at EPTA in bournemouth.
They must be the best ATPL instructors around! Keiths folders (1000 questions) are fantastic, John is the best Met Man in europe, and derek is brilliant at Radio Nav and Instruments!
They certainly got me through my ATPL writtens!!!!!
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I passed the ATPL exams by doing a full time course but some of my workmates are currently on distance learning courses at Oxford and Bristol.
The Bristol stuff is very good, the feedback is excellent with good explanations. The Oxford stuff is also good but having done the exams I would say the Bristol stuff is more usefull.
Surely Pete Lines is the best Met man in Europe ?
Cauliflowers, submarines, and the blanket on the bed, what else is there to know?
The Bristol stuff is very good, the feedback is excellent with good explanations. The Oxford stuff is also good but having done the exams I would say the Bristol stuff is more usefull.
Surely Pete Lines is the best Met man in Europe ?
Cauliflowers, submarines, and the blanket on the bed, what else is there to know?
