Are OATS worth the money ?
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PPRuNe Secret Agent!
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From: West Sussex, UK
Are OATS worth the money ?
I've got a mate who was due to do a 2 weeks brush-up at PPSC for £300 and is now going to Oxford - at a cost of £800! 
I've told him all the stories of OATS's feedback and that there notes are very good...but is there anybody been to Oxford or presently at Oxford care to put his mind at rest that the money spent is worth it..?
Cheers
I've told him all the stories of OATS's feedback and that there notes are very good...but is there anybody been to Oxford or presently at Oxford care to put his mind at rest that the money spent is worth it..?
Cheers
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: UK
I have heard that they are good however that a lot of students choose to go elsewhere for the flying which brings up some questions!
A friend of mine who went to OATS went elsewhere for the training - he said that the OATS people push that the students would be favoured if they complete all the training in the same place! Which is obviously a line to unassuming students!!!!!
A friend of mine who went to OATS went elsewhere for the training - he said that the OATS people push that the students would be favoured if they complete all the training in the same place! Which is obviously a line to unassuming students!!!!!
Joined: May 2001
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For me personally yes they are worth it. I have found the modular staff very helpful and unfortunatly let down by the others at the site Ie !!!!!e admin.
I won't be using them for the flying because there are to many Airline cadets you don't get a lookin and even the cadets are complaining that the airspace is to busy. And the course takes to long.
You might say they are more expensive but if you have payed for both Phase 1 & 2 it's not that much more. And there wern't many resit students at Gatwick when compare to the other schools present last time i was there.
MJ
I won't be using them for the flying because there are to many Airline cadets you don't get a lookin and even the cadets are complaining that the airspace is to busy. And the course takes to long.
You might say they are more expensive but if you have payed for both Phase 1 & 2 it's not that much more. And there wern't many resit students at Gatwick when compare to the other schools present last time i was there.
MJ
Joined: Apr 2001
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Worth every penny for the feedback and notes alone!
Turning up for the course for two weeks is a bit of a waste of time/money if you have only 1 or 2 subjects to 'brush up' on however!
You can now buy the notes from Jeppesen for next to nothing, so try that first. The notes have got to be the best around... make 4 Forces (RIP) look like the crap they are/were!
[ 17 August 2001: Message edited by: clear prop!!! ]
Turning up for the course for two weeks is a bit of a waste of time/money if you have only 1 or 2 subjects to 'brush up' on however!
You can now buy the notes from Jeppesen for next to nothing, so try that first. The notes have got to be the best around... make 4 Forces (RIP) look like the crap they are/were!
[ 17 August 2001: Message edited by: clear prop!!! ]
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Canada
I am currently on the OATS Distance Learning
Course ( on frame 4 )and debating whether I should take the two week brush up course at the end of Phase 1 or not.
Is it worth it taking the brush up or not ?
I am working in Canada convalidating my
Canadian ATPL and it's difficult for me to take two weeks off.
Personally I have the notes to be excellent so far.I have found the course to be a lot of work.
The instructors know their stuff and I have received prompt replies to questions.I do believe you are paying a premium for the name
though.
OAT ought to get their virtual college running,it seems that they are slow in that department.
Feedback/advice from those who have written the exams after completing the OATS DISTANCE LEARNING would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers
Course ( on frame 4 )and debating whether I should take the two week brush up course at the end of Phase 1 or not.
Is it worth it taking the brush up or not ?
I am working in Canada convalidating my
Canadian ATPL and it's difficult for me to take two weeks off.
Personally I have the notes to be excellent so far.I have found the course to be a lot of work.
The instructors know their stuff and I have received prompt replies to questions.I do believe you are paying a premium for the name
though.
OAT ought to get their virtual college running,it seems that they are slow in that department.
Feedback/advice from those who have written the exams after completing the OATS DISTANCE LEARNING would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,804
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I would say definately go for the 2 weeks.
This is when you get the feedback and info on what is asked and what isn't.
There are some subjects which are impossible unless you have been to the sessions. OP for example.
MJ
This is when you get the feedback and info on what is asked and what isn't.
There are some subjects which are impossible unless you have been to the sessions. OP for example.
MJ
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 177
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From: UK
I did my original groundschool at a different FTO but decided to go to Oxford for a brush up for my 3 resits. They charged 200 quid per subject. It was worthwhile in terms of getting the notes (which are excellent) and there feedback questions. The instructors I encountered were very good. However, the CAA are introducing the additional question bank in sept so for those exams feedback will not be the way forward. Whether Oxford did the trick for me, I'll only find out when the white envelope is (eventually) delivered from the CAA!!
Heard to many negative stories about their flight training to do my flying there though. Something else for me to think about.....
RM
Heard to many negative stories about their flight training to do my flying there though. Something else for me to think about.....
RM
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: walsall,west midlands.england
I WAS OF THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE 2 WEEK BRUSH UP WAS COMPULSARY UNDER JAA ?? YOUD BE MAD NOT TO GO ANYWAY!! IM MODULAR WITH THEM AT THE MO ..... AND THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WHICH IS GIVEN OUT IS FIRST CLASS AND CONDENCES A LOT OF INFO ONCE YOU HAVE AN INITAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE SUBJECTS.. DO IT !! 
Joined: Apr 2001
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I think this thread started as a result of someone buying additional training through OATS did it not?
The brush up courses are only essential/required for those doing the full course at OATS as part of the required hours of training rule.
A 'brush up' on one or two subject by those who have completed a course elsewhere does not require attendance.
Believe me, two weeks at Kidlington when you have only one or even two subjects to brush up on, leaves you a lot of time to sit in your B&B wondering why you are there. The only lessons on your subjects are alongside those with 7 other subjects to study, so you have a LOT of free time and see no-one 'cos they are at other lectures!
Having said that the notes and feedback are second to none and worth the money.
The brush up courses are only essential/required for those doing the full course at OATS as part of the required hours of training rule.
A 'brush up' on one or two subject by those who have completed a course elsewhere does not require attendance.
Believe me, two weeks at Kidlington when you have only one or even two subjects to brush up on, leaves you a lot of time to sit in your B&B wondering why you are there. The only lessons on your subjects are alongside those with 7 other subjects to study, so you have a LOT of free time and see no-one 'cos they are at other lectures!
Having said that the notes and feedback are second to none and worth the money.
Thread Starter
PPRuNe Secret Agent!
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From: West Sussex, UK
Spoken to my mate last night from a very expensive B&B in Woodstock!
The message from Oxford Aviation is:
If you can afford it - do it!
He reckons best in the Uk for groundschool with excellent intructors.
The message from Oxford Aviation is:
If you can afford it - do it!
He reckons best in the Uk for groundschool with excellent intructors.
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: England
The problem with this type of speculation is that unless you've been through the groundschools at several of the schools there is no way to make a valid judgement.
Human nature compels most people to publicly state that they have made the right choice in training provider.
WWW
Human nature compels most people to publicly state that they have made the right choice in training provider.
WWW
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From: Suffolk UK
I have to agree with my Taff mate above. No-one who has only experienced one school can make a valid judgement. It's a bit like debating whose car is better without driving the other chap's. Meaningless.
I have experience of a couple of schools as a student, I am an experienced instructor in my own right, and I know many of the people and products of the various UK schools. While there are differences in presentation, structure and emphasis, I think it's safe to say that all the well-known schools do a pretty good job. Certainly, you'll pay more at some than others, and that should be reflected in the facilities available to you, whether you are a residential or distance-learning student.
You may well find that a school that has been highly-recommended to you by a current student is staffed by people you can't get on with, or you find their notes confusing, or you hate the town they're in. There are many factors to take into account when you choose a school.
Don't forget that you are going to pay them a hell of a lot of money, so visit a few schools. Get to know the instructing staff. Look at a copy of their latest study notes. They won't object to any of this if they're secure in their product, and you get a chance to compare one against another. Then choose the one which you feel will suit YOU best. Recommendations are great, but they only tell one side of a much bigger story.
The kind of money you're going to spend would buy a reasonable house in much of UK; you wouldn't buy a house without looking at lots to see which is best. Same with flying/ground schools.
I have experience of a couple of schools as a student, I am an experienced instructor in my own right, and I know many of the people and products of the various UK schools. While there are differences in presentation, structure and emphasis, I think it's safe to say that all the well-known schools do a pretty good job. Certainly, you'll pay more at some than others, and that should be reflected in the facilities available to you, whether you are a residential or distance-learning student.
You may well find that a school that has been highly-recommended to you by a current student is staffed by people you can't get on with, or you find their notes confusing, or you hate the town they're in. There are many factors to take into account when you choose a school.
Don't forget that you are going to pay them a hell of a lot of money, so visit a few schools. Get to know the instructing staff. Look at a copy of their latest study notes. They won't object to any of this if they're secure in their product, and you get a chance to compare one against another. Then choose the one which you feel will suit YOU best. Recommendations are great, but they only tell one side of a much bigger story.
The kind of money you're going to spend would buy a reasonable house in much of UK; you wouldn't buy a house without looking at lots to see which is best. Same with flying/ground schools.
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: u.k
Just finished at OATS and landed a jet job with one of the UK's largest airlines within a month of leaving. I had to take out several loans £40k but at the end of the day, if you really want to do it, you'll have to fork out the money. It's a huge commitment which is well worth it.
Thread Starter
PPRuNe Secret Agent!
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From: West Sussex, UK
I agree with Scroggs and WWW, but my friend has actually been to PPSC in the past and used some notes of mine which unfortuantly were 4Forces!
His comparison is based on the above.
His comparison is based on the above.
