Bristol Ground School
 

I'm trying to get Bristol Ground school on the web ; http://www.bristol.gs/

But I get a logon screen for BRITISH AIRWAYS CITIEXRESS? Anyone any ideas?

Oh dear. We also provide training for airlines under the aegis of IDC Ltd. Our server in Cheltenham hosts a number of training programs including this one which is an online training package for BA which provides recurrency training on the EMB 145, the RJ100 and some minor stuff like Dangerous Goods and Low Vis Procedures. It looks like someone has blundered. I'll fix it in the morning. Until then, apologies.

I had the same prob last night but you can get to the Q Bank via the link http://213.48.96.23/atponline/jalo/index.asp

I just assumed it was part of a takeover of the world by BA Citilink ..:}


NB, note to editor. The Q Bank has also changed since Sunday when I last used it and some of the questions now DO NOT WORK (ie they do not have answers attached anymore ....)

The future of JAR questions perhaps ?:p

It's undoubtably all connected!

Good to see POF(H) on the ATPL(H) questions roster now (just in time..)

h-r:)

Exams and Bristol feedback - degree of resemblance?
 

As it changes all of the time can someone that within the last few months took any or all of the exams below, report the resemblance of the UK CAA exams and the corresponding feedback questions found on the Bristol ATP Online?

ATPL
instrumentation (A)
flight planning (A)
meteorology (A)
airframes and systems (H) (interim arrangement)
principles of flight (H) (interim arrangement)

It's very subjective but everything that will give me a clue of the relevance of the feedback questions is appreciated.

I've done the (H) so, here we go.

instrumentation (A) - 95% similiar (but not 100% of Q on the BGS database of course ...). Very close match because its (A)

flight planning (A) - 90% similiar (but not all Q in the db of course). Like gen nav the questions contain 'do X activity' so less easy to be familiar from feedback.

meteorology (A) - uncertain because I did not use BGS Qbank for phase 1

airframes and systems (H) (interim arrangement) - 55% similiar/ one of the least (but the questions stay the same from one exam to the next pretty much becaus ebased on National exams. The feedback I had from GTS was pretty much THE exam looking back. At the time I'd wished I'd read more of the feedback rather than learning the material as it would have saved a few tens of hours but there we go)

principles of flight (H) (interim arrangement) - 70% similiar. This appeared to get an upgrade about 10 weeks ago (3 weeks before the exam - yippee) so was quite close and had a lot of familiarity in the questions, but how many ways can you skin a cat .. (or have tail rotor roll)

Hope that helps

h-r :)

Meteorology

I would say it is pretty good for this subject. Although they are constantly adding and removing quetions to the JAA question bank so back in August I think I had seen around 60% of "similar but not quite the same" questions.

However Bristol's feedback they dish out to students at the brush up course is far superior for Meteorology than the online question bank.

The Bristol feedback that I borrowed from a friend helped me obtain not only a pass in the exams that I took but also obtain all of my marks in the mid to high 90's.

Wish I had used Bristol for the course now... ah well in hindsight and all that!

Hi Martin1234

Providing you put the book work in aswell, for an extra £50.00 you can have peace of mind.


I just sat principles of flight (H) @ the beginning of this month. Of the 44 questions on the paper, I only had a problem with 4 of them. One of the questions that was giving me jip was from BGS feedback. However, exam pressure got the better of me & I opted for the incorrect answer. This happened to be quite valuable being 2 marks for that particular question.

In the case of the other twelve exams I have taken previously, I used what is refered to as "volari" or italian feedback. Again spot on.

For what it's worth (BGS/£50.00). It is a valuable bit of kit. I found that I could condense a whole paragraph of a subject into one simple Q+A @ times, & understand it.

Also, I found that BGS is the only place where I could get accurate(JAA style Q's) feedback on the subject of POF(H). @ the time I was studying they had 358 questions. The database grows everytime an exam is sat.

Anyway, enough said with ATPL exams. I'm mission accomplished on that side of things now.

Good luck & get your head down.

SuperAviator...

Does that mean that even if you pay for the online bank it is not as good as the bristol feedback you get off them and possibly not up to date?
If so does anyone know who actually keeps their database up to date with new seen questions?

if wouldnt have been for bristol feedback, would never have passed the exams,high 90s,
funny world, I pay a different school a lot of money and then pass thanks to other school(for free)............
but old school still take credit for my passes............

why not go to the better school in the first place?

Opinions on Bristol gs CBT.
 

I am looking to start the distance learning course sometime in the next few months, I would be grateful of any feedback that people have in regard the CBT. Is it possible to study for the ATPL just using the computer programs?

Many Thanks :)

Re: Opinions on Bristol gs CBT.
 

"Is it possible to study for the ATPL just using the computer programs?"

No, there is a mandatory classroom element to the approved theoretical knowledge course.

Re: Opinions on Bristol gs CBT.
 

if your asking if u need to open the books to study or if u can study directly of the cd...the answer is - to be honest, only u can ans this!!! it depends on the best way u learn. I read the notes of the cd, highlighted the book then read through the book and made my own notes.

to confirm, the brushup is a must. this is a massive plus on the course, its very focused and hard work but u will be better for it.

bgs are a great school, best of luck wat ever u do

Re: Opinions on Bristol gs CBT.
 

Thanks for the response. I just wanted to know if it was possible to study for the course solely using the CD’s without the help of the text, ie is there a complete ATPL course on the CD’s, which it appears there is.

Thanks again

Re: Opinions on Bristol gs CBT.
 

The CD version is exactly the same as the book version apart from the CD version does not include any margin notes. In my opinion this is a serious omission, quite often the text reflects what the CAA want you to be taught, and the margin notes tell you what you need to know, either by filtering out the extraneous or by emphasising particular bits. I can think of one particular bit of Ops Procedures in which the text said something like "we have repeated the regs in full because that is how the questions may be worded, explanations are given in the margins". I was away at the time and so ended up doing something else until I could get to see my books again because it was mostly gibberish.

Re: Opinions on Bristol gs CBT.
 

What the CBT lacks in margin notes, it makes up for in animations etc...which really helps when you have been struggling with the written text trying to understand something, then kick yourself for being so stupid when the animation makes it so blindingly obvious.

I found using the CBT as the initial training source, then the manuals for revision, worked well for me.

As someone else has commented, the groundschool is superb. Hard work, but well worthwhile.

Bristol vs Exam 8.0 (Peters software)
 

Hi!

I`m thinking of getting the JAA questionbank for my ATP exams.
I have heard both Bristol and Exam 8.0 is good.

Anyone who knows the difference between these two?
Or is there no difference at all?

regards
/A

I went for bristol
 

Hello there ATPL student.

I used Bristol and recognized almost every question at the test when writing for the swedish luftfartsstyrelsen. I have heard great stuff about Exam too, but why choose the one more expensive when the cheap one is working just fine? Spend your money on a nice Ray Ban instead! :cool:

Bristol
 

They are Brilliant, well owrth it

Bristol
 

Correction, well worth it best 50 pounds spent

change my mind
 

I really think you skould read all the books once or twice again instead of cheating with the exam questions. I read all the books three times and didn't touch the questions. It's more honest to read the books, man.


///Magnus

"It's more honest to read the books.......?" - Is this guy for real?? Does the CAA/JAA - whoever really care if you're 'honest' about studying and not doing the feedback for the exams......I don't think so. They're not as honest when charging an arm and a leg for the exams (but thats besides the point). Without taking a personal dig at you - I think we know exactly how 'honest' YOU, I or ANYONE ELSE on this (or any other forum) will be when doing the exams. Bottom line - everyone will do whatever they can to get away with as much as they can - if if using feedback is 'getting away with it' then my naive friend good luck to you.

Now if you're talking about understanding the matter - then that's a different story.

WILJAM Vs Bristol Feedback
 

Guys,

Heard a WILJAM are doing an online QB like the Bristol GS one. Has anyone had any experience with it or can recommend it. A comparison with the Bristol version would be nice.

Cheers guys.

RB

HI

I used Wiljam for a resit, costs about a fiver a month, and in my p of f resit, i had seen all the questions before on Wiljam. I didnt register at bristol cos of the cost, about 50 quid i think. If you want a comparison i would say you get what you pay for.

All you get with with wiljam is access to an atpl questionbank, but woulld say having flicked through the other subjects the question bank covergage was excellent, but so is bristols. Wiljams questions are all in PDF format.

I have been told though, that with the fee to bristol, you also get access to a forum where you can post questions answers etc, so in that respect bristol is much better, because with wiljam your on your own. (but is is only a fiver or six quid a month)

I did read after i posted on another thread though, that WILJAM is no longer running, but i dont know. If if is still running though and you intend to use for a few months, i would pay the extra to bristol just to get access to the forum because you wont save that much going to wiljam.

...with Bristol you have access to their forum WITHOUT paying for the feedback database.

Since a lot of topics there are posted with full quoting of the question, it will help you A LOT...

Otherwise, the database is exellent there, almost all heavy questions have notes helping you with the solution.

They made me pass my ATPL exam in germany, worst 90%, best 100%.

Definitley worth the money.

Regards

Cole

Bristol Ground School
 

I'm about 30 hours into my ppl and trying to decide where to study for my atpls, Bristol GS is top of the list at the minute, anybody got any feedback about the place?

Is there really any better place than BGS. I have recently begun my course with them and quite simply I'm already impressed. It's a practical, "meat and no fat" course that has been carefully planned. Unlike the horrendous Oxford course which seems to be the usual over the top approach by Oxford.

I give a firm thumbs up.

Try a search. Try the Wannabes Forum too - Professional training. I was at BGS in 2004 and a friend is currently on his brush up this week. They are top notch - 'nuff said.

Apart from all the info here on Prune already, BGS also have their own Forum, have a look about on there aswell.

I used BGS, no complaints.

YYZ

cheers for the imput guys.

YYZ Are you an instucter at multiflight????

I just finished all 14 at bristol.gs, and all i can say, they are excellent!

No doubt, best place to do it distance learning!

I'm with Bristol too and whilst they're jolly good, it's hard to say they're the best since I haven't studied with any of the others.

You'll often read such superlatives on pprune, and whether they be regarding ATPL theory, CPL or IR training, the same caveat would apply to them all.

Bristol GS = painless, well organised, no fuss, effective and value for money. These things are evident without have the experience of other schools.
That's not to say the other schools any different. I will say however say this, at Gatwick it was apparent during the inevitible exam post mortems that the BGS crowd had the edge on preparedness. Mind you that was 18 months ago.

HOOP, Im not an instructor there, but I do seem to be there a lot?

If you are there a lot you will know me.

YYZ

What can I say about Bristol GS? One word....
Excellent!

FNav :ok:

Distance learning!
 

Well done to anyone who has managed it, it is very hard work going through all that at home on your own!

Best of luck...........:8

Bristol GS
 

Top class tuition! I was there for module 1 in '03 and module 2 in' 04. PM me if I can be of any help.

John.

I do have the choice to go residential but it would be usefull to keep working (I only work a hand full of hours a week leaving time to study)
so bristol was looking a good option. The only problem being I'm worried I may not be able to motivate myself enough for distance learning. Is it really that bad?????

During a period of naiviety back in 2005 I attempted to sign up for Oxford's Distance Learning. I thought I'd quite simply pick the closest place to me and though Oxford may not have been the best how far off the top could they be I thought. How wrong I was to be so complacent! Oxford made everything so much harder and I'm just talking about applying for the course. When I went down to visit them they had the usual "we're Oxford and we're doing YOU a big favour" air about themselves. Upon phoning them to join the course I was asked whether I had sent in the application form which I didn't realise you had to do and when I finally got hold of one it had quite of number of pages :uhoh: The information they wanted was excessive to say the least and coupled with other factors I gave up with them. I also looked inot AFT distance learning and they were also very polite, helpful, and genuinely had a course they wanted to teach rather impose themselves like Oxford. On each occassion the chaps over at Coventry's AFT were on the ball but they lacked just one thing a portable form of revision i.e. a CD-ROM (so that I can revise last night's study whilst at work the next day so the boss doesn't realise :) ). I recently contacted BGS and what I got was "we need an address and credit card number", wow :) What a breath of fresh air, when I contacted them again with regards to some technical support regarding their CD-ROM they were on the case from the start and got me on my way.

So yes I can say I've spoken to some providers and though it still comes down to personal preference and also circumstance I feel Bristol reflect the way a growing number of students feel. By this I mean a more practical, less patronising and understanding of their students' needs type of approach. Aviation in the UK has an unrealistic tendency to parallel the military "money no object" attitude but in reality many students have real concerns regarding time, resource, money and the expectation to attain their qualifications.

Whoops! Looks like my rant went on a bit too long :)