I didn't go to Bristol but here is my experience of doing it on a self study basis. Its a bit hard to say how long it will take as it is down to the individual. Some of the subjects will take no time at all to study (eg: the 2 comms) whereas others like MET, GNAV or Air Law can be literally ball aching to get through the volume of information you need to retain. It will also depend on your approach to study. I hit the books making notes as I went and then about 1.5 months before my exam sitting I was on the Bristol Online database going over and over and over and over (get the picture) the questions until I was getting on average >90% in the mock exams. Then hit the brush up course and kept on the database at nights in between doing all the homework that you will be set. Got me through with a pretty high average.

HOUR BUILDER

Try our (BGS) in-house student to student forum

Dick W

Bristol Ground School progress tests/questions bank
 

Are the progress test questions for BGS the same as what are in the on line questions bank or are there a lot more?

alot more in the online QB........it's really, really good for getting you through the exams. Well worth the cash but still not a substitute for learning the subjects, just a damn good bonus when you get to the final few weeks before the exams :eek:

you get the additional questions on paper at bristol (you're homework each night!) but the online QB allows you to go through them much quicker by simply clicking on the answer and finding out if you got it right......good for "learning / spotting" questions and answers

I've looked everywhere, but can't seem to find a link address to the database.

Is it on the BGS website?

http://213.48.96.23/atponline/jalo/index.asp

PS: The forums are really useful on the BGS website as well - and best of all they are free. Saw many of the questions/solutions discussed there in the exams earlier this year. Was a good last minute refresher to go through that and see any unusual/new types of questions that I hadn't covered previously.

or http://atponline.gs if you can't remember the numbers :E

There's not much there to describe it. Email the sales mail link on that pages with questions and Jill will answer you.

Have I heard something like when you go to the 2 week refresher week, a few people can share the cost of the online QB?

not much point doing that, you will not have much time to use it with the amount of work they give you on the brush up courses!

Well if you use me as a case study you wont have any time when you're on the brush-up

Your access is logged so if it looks like you are sharing the cost (multiple logins, lots of different IPs), your account will be pulled.

Not sure if there's an exception to their brushees.

Hourbuilder,
50 Quid, for three months access, you must be mad not to go for it. If you consider the cost of just one resit...... the price is worth it, I should know once i was in your position ans now drive a B737.

Very good point.
Is this really sad, and I know I've only done the first 2 frames of mod 1, but does anyone else actually enjoy studying the ATPL's?

Going through all the questions
 

Hi ya all,

What's the best way to go through all the questions one by one. I've tried it before but found that it does it in a random way, so you don't know where you are in relation to numbers. I'd like to go through them from start to finish.

Cheers.

RB

when i do the questions i ring the right answer. having then done the online test, i then complete the answer sheet in the folders so i have all the right answers to hand....don't suppose that helps you though.

HB

Is it really worth going thru the Online QB, AFTER the entire course/module, and the associated progress tests, AND the 2 week brush up's..? There's got to be repetition...or am i missing a piece..?

I have to say BGS seems to be great. I've just started - the whole course is clearly worked out. I'm really pleased as everything is explained from scratch (it's been sometime since ppl for me and I've gone rusty!)

Fingers crossed I'll get the results. Cheeers.

BGS Electronic Brochure / Demo
 

I recently received the disc in the post that outlines the course at BGS. I have to say that I was very impressed - the presentation is very professionally put together. I live in Vancouver and after my initial email it arrived in the post within about 5 days. This is in contrast to OATS who in reply to my enquiry emailed me a rather basic .pdf attachment outlining the course content. No postal reply at all or any blurb sent to me which I found rather unimpressive.

Looks like I may well embark down the BGS route. I will have my weekdays free, so am hoping to crack it in about 8-9 months. :ok:

Question RE: ATPL(H) interim
 

Hi there

Hopefully someone will know the answer to this question.
I am studying DL ATPL(H) with OAT and am only supposed to be doing 13 exams , 12 FW and 1 Rotary.
with OAT you skip FW PoF and Perf.

I have subscribed to Bristol GS ATPonline and on their ATPL(H) interim exam study questions they have a performance paper but on their ATPL(H) course they do not.

Why do Bristol study for a Perf exam in their interim course and OAT do not?

According to Lasors i only have to do 13 exams no perf paper.

Thanks in advance for your replies to unconfuse me .

Chester:ok:

Chester, you're better off asking this on their forum http://jals.co.uk/forum. Wouldn't want you picking the wrong set of questions := :)

The online BGS question bank is excellent. I can honestly say that it was very representative of the exam questions when I did my 2nd set of JAA exams a few months ago. I just wished I'd discovered it for my first set!

Sorry for the slight thread hijack - is it true that Ken is leaving BGS? Heard a rumour during the week...

Hiya,

Just another 'endorsee' of BGS here. Materials are generally very good, and the online forum is particularly useful indeed for hints and tips, or just for a reassuring "keep in there".

I started with BGS in early September, doing the course full-time at home. It's been a real slog (even doing it FT) but have to say that with the possible exception of Instruments (much too much detail IMHO), I've actually enjoyed it. I'm just about to hit the last frame, then it's the online QB until the brush-up in Jan.

I get a sense that the brush-up is the all-important element of the course - that's where you learn what you need to do to pass the blessed exams.

Highly recommended.

HW

The brush up really is worth it's weight in gold and yep it's SIGNIFICANT. Regardless of home study, progress tests, reading through the material for the upteen'th time won't prepare you for the exams as much as the classroom component of the course. :)

Bristol Ground School
 

Hiya,
I´m a spanish student looking forward to begin my studies in the US, to became a pilot. I found one school in Florida (European Flight Training) but they dont have ground school. They have a program that consists in that while you work as instructor, you study the ATPL , to maximize the time. As I seen in the forums, most of their students are doing the Bristol Distance Learning Program or something like this to get the ATPL done...
As I have seen in this Thread, BGS seems to be a good place and many people is recommending it. But my question is, do a few cd's and books can really substitute 800hours of classes that are given normally in any European school?

I think doing the distance learning has to be much harder than attend daily for 6 or 8 months to a ground school with teachers.
Someone who has been in EFT doing the ATPL with Bristol? Or just someone who could comment his experience about doing the ATPL via Bristol?
Any info will be welcome! :ok:

Lots of people complete the ATPL exams with BGS while holding down full time jobs, the notes are great and you can get plenty of support via the website forum.

Are the FAA ATPL exams very different to the JAA ones? I would like to begin to study the theory but as I have not yet decided whether to go for training in the US or Europe.

What are the best books and CDs to buy (for PPL, CPL and ATPL?)

BGS
 

My only one complaint about BGS was some of Noush's posters were a bit risque.:ok: :D

The one thing I wish I had done when I went there some time ago was taken more opportunity to thank Alex and his gang for an outstanding course.

That'll be a tenner or well send the 80s photo in Alex..

VT (Yes alex I am still flying until I die or they find someone better)

Bristol Groundschool Training Software
 

Hi All

re: the computer based training CDROM packaged with the ATPL study pack...I am thinking about buying it in isolation (studying with another provider) as it looks so good - particularly the animations / diagrams. Can anyone offer an opinion as to how helpful this element of the package is? and if its worth 350quid:eek:

Thanks!

Don´t know about the package but the feedback question database which is 60quid for 3 months entry to it is invaluable, some people argue you could pass the exams just through studying the answers to the questions, i wouldn´t advocate that of course.

Bristol GS Computer based Training
 

Hi there,
Has anyone got experiences that they care to share about Bristol GS's CBT? can it completely replace the actual books? would that be a wise thing to consider?
Thanks!

certainly!!

they use the same questions uses for the exam.based on feedback!

I think Mr F Spainard was asking if their CBT (computer-based training) package is as good or better than the paper format, rather than the online question bank.

Alex Whittingham will probably be able to confirm this, but I believe the new v5 software is designed to be viewed as the central part of the distance learning course.

In addition to structured lessons and tests it includes everything contained in the paper manuals, as well as many additional animations etc.

So I guess, in answer to the original post, yes, that's the idea.

There's a thread on V5 running here:
http://jals.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=5071

Thanks!
 

Thank you all for responding so quickly!
Thats awesome, so i can just follow the CBT instead of having the heavy books.

The only problem i might have is that i have noticed lately that whenever i try and read material online like e-books etc I don't always seem to comprehend what is being said, i have always been better with reading from paper than of a screen. Is this a common phenomena?

Cheers

Its always easier to read text in a book. Actually, educational theory says the most effective learning is multi-channel, in other words books, CBT, audio and videos all at once.

The question bank though, why do you only get 3 months access does anyone know?

I'm torn between BGS and CATS as to which provider i go with....both heard very good reports. One thing CATS has going for it is the online system they are now using, however also heard BGS has a great reputation. Being in the north east 2 problems arise for me....firstly the amount of money i'll have to pay for the brush up/revision weeks and secondly the level of support if i hit a hard subject (mass & balance springs to mind).

Arghhhh :ugh::{:} decisions decisions

XL319,
I'm and ex Bristol student living in the North West.
I found that if I had any problems I could call the school and would get help either from ALex or any of the instructors. Also there is the forum which is worth its weight in gold.
The brush up well there is some vfery good accomodation which is reasonable avaiable.
Hop this helps and good luck