Assistance Available During ATPL Distance Learning?
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Assistance Available During ATPL Distance Learning?
First of all can I say thanks to everyone for all the interesting posts over the last few years! I've been reading for a while now whilst deciding on a career change or not....I'm still deciding but I need your help!
I am thinking about doing the ATPL distance learning in the new year, however I have a concern regarding the "Distance" bit! In the classroom environment you can discuss issues/problems with your fellow students and the instructor, however at home you are on your own. What are the usual methods of getting help and from your experience do they work??
At the moment I am thinking of going with Bristol but have also looked at Cabair and OAT.
Your thoughts and experiences would be most welcome.
Thanks
smithgd
I am thinking about doing the ATPL distance learning in the new year, however I have a concern regarding the "Distance" bit! In the classroom environment you can discuss issues/problems with your fellow students and the instructor, however at home you are on your own. What are the usual methods of getting help and from your experience do they work??
At the moment I am thinking of going with Bristol but have also looked at Cabair and OAT.
Your thoughts and experiences would be most welcome.
Thanks
smithgd
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I'm half way through studying the second module with BGS. I had the same fears as you did before I started studying - don't let it put you off. The course isn't THAT hard (although it's certainly not easy). I found that BGS' notes and CD provide more than enough info to adequately explain everything, and so far, I haven't needed to contact anybody to ask for further help. However, If I needed to, Bristol make instructors available for you to contact by phone, e-mail etc, and from the instructors I met at the module one brush up course, they certainly know their stuff. You've also got this forum to ask other questions if you don't feel like contacting the school directly.
Remember that as it's distance learning, you can study as quickly or as slowly as you want to - there's no real pressure!
I've also found that studying purely on my own means that I have to use my own brain to work things out, and therefore I understand them in more depth. The hardest thing I find with the course is purely remembering the huge amount of information needed for the exams.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
Remember that as it's distance learning, you can study as quickly or as slowly as you want to - there's no real pressure!
I've also found that studying purely on my own means that I have to use my own brain to work things out, and therefore I understand them in more depth. The hardest thing I find with the course is purely remembering the huge amount of information needed for the exams.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
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I think those are very valid concerns. I've nearly finished distance learning with Bristol - Mod 2 exams booked for Feb.
I can think of two reasons for doing distance learning: either you have another job and can't take the time to do a residential course, or you can't afford a residential course. If neither of these applies to you, there is no question as far as I can see - there's no reason why you should do distance learning.
If one of these does apply to you, though, then you don't have much choice. But Pete is right, the instructors at Bristol (and I'm sure the other schools are the same, although I have no personal experience) are superb, and if you call or e-mail with a query you can expect a detailed reply within a day or so. It is possible to buy off-the-shelf study notes to suppliment those that you get on your course, or to get some private tuition, but - without wishing to put off those people who decide to use either of these methods - it really shouldn't be necessary because if you're not getting all the help you need from your school you need to find another school.
Good luck!
FFF
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I can think of two reasons for doing distance learning: either you have another job and can't take the time to do a residential course, or you can't afford a residential course. If neither of these applies to you, there is no question as far as I can see - there's no reason why you should do distance learning.
If one of these does apply to you, though, then you don't have much choice. But Pete is right, the instructors at Bristol (and I'm sure the other schools are the same, although I have no personal experience) are superb, and if you call or e-mail with a query you can expect a detailed reply within a day or so. It is possible to buy off-the-shelf study notes to suppliment those that you get on your course, or to get some private tuition, but - without wishing to put off those people who decide to use either of these methods - it really shouldn't be necessary because if you're not getting all the help you need from your school you need to find another school.
Good luck!
FFF
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To summarize everything I hear on the subject and what is my impression after taking a look at the manuals, they're all very good and of course they all have their strengths and weakenesses...
Oxford - way too much in the books, but perfect as reference
Bristol - a bit too thin on some details, not all past exam questions are covered
PPSC - just a little too much, too bad the books are not updated (bankrupt)
All those little differences gradually disappear once you hit the tests, exercises, practice exams, feedback questions, etc.
It is my understanding that there's no precise guideline as to what should be covered in the course, explaining those differences. JAR-FCL says what subject should be covered, but not how deep you have to dig. It is left to the FTO to come up with something "acceptable" to the authority who, generally, takes a quick look at the books, keeps them a few weeks and then sends the approval.
Oxford - way too much in the books, but perfect as reference
Bristol - a bit too thin on some details, not all past exam questions are covered
PPSC - just a little too much, too bad the books are not updated (bankrupt)
All those little differences gradually disappear once you hit the tests, exercises, practice exams, feedback questions, etc.
It is my understanding that there's no precise guideline as to what should be covered in the course, explaining those differences. JAR-FCL says what subject should be covered, but not how deep you have to dig. It is left to the FTO to come up with something "acceptable" to the authority who, generally, takes a quick look at the books, keeps them a few weeks and then sends the approval.
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I have been doing distance learning for about 7 months now and will sit the first subjects in February, having completed the first module. My points are as follows, in no particular order:
1) None of what you have to learn is that hard, what is difficult is the volume and diversity of information you need to know. However it is difficult sometimes being teacher and student.
2) You will be allocated a tutor and make sure you use him/her. I regularly e-mail mine (two or three times a week) with questions and sometimes just stuff in general about aviation - after all these guys are experts and you have to get everything you can from them.
3) At the start of the course it seems like you are making very little progress, as the first subjects are generally Principles of Flight and Systems, big books to wade through. But eventually you finish them and then start on little subjects like VFR/IFR communications and Mass and Balance and you start to feel like you are making real progress. It took me about 6 months to do the first 7 subjects, about 3 months of it was on PoF and Systems, did the other 5 subjects in the remaining three months.
4) If you can get hold of other FTO's question banks that is a massive help. I get given everything from cabair by a mate who went through and that has proved a great help.
5) Now I have started to revise for the exams, many things have started to fall into place, in that several of the subjects are interlinked. For example, PoF/Performance/Mass and Balance, Aviation Law and bits of Performance and Systems.
Good luck
1) None of what you have to learn is that hard, what is difficult is the volume and diversity of information you need to know. However it is difficult sometimes being teacher and student.
2) You will be allocated a tutor and make sure you use him/her. I regularly e-mail mine (two or three times a week) with questions and sometimes just stuff in general about aviation - after all these guys are experts and you have to get everything you can from them.
3) At the start of the course it seems like you are making very little progress, as the first subjects are generally Principles of Flight and Systems, big books to wade through. But eventually you finish them and then start on little subjects like VFR/IFR communications and Mass and Balance and you start to feel like you are making real progress. It took me about 6 months to do the first 7 subjects, about 3 months of it was on PoF and Systems, did the other 5 subjects in the remaining three months.
4) If you can get hold of other FTO's question banks that is a massive help. I get given everything from cabair by a mate who went through and that has proved a great help.
5) Now I have started to revise for the exams, many things have started to fall into place, in that several of the subjects are interlinked. For example, PoF/Performance/Mass and Balance, Aviation Law and bits of Performance and Systems.
Good luck
