EASA ATPL theory
 

Is it possible to self study for the ATPL theoretical exam held by German civil authority?

What's the average cost of an ATPL theory distance learning course in Germany in case it's better not to do it entirely by myself?

Do such courses always contain classroom instruction?

Finally, can the whole course be face to face
at school and what's the average cost for that?

yes for sure, it's possible.
You will find many schools that provide ATPL "Distance learning" system.
You will study all the subjects by yourself, then you will do some hours in a classroom, before you can start the official exams.
About the prices, honestly, it's better you contact the schools in Germany directly.
If you want save money, there are some options, not in Germany but in East Europe.
The self study requires very high concentration absolutely, and to be focus on your goal, cutting off everything for all the time during the study.
It's a challenge wih you mate.

Thanks a lot buddy :)

No problem there - the examining body will want to see the approval certificate of the ATO

You can't study all by yourself.
You have to pay some money for a school.

... but then if you have a German license, you habe to put up with all of the LBA :mad:. Especially the Zuverlässigkeitsüberprüfungenhttps://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/luftsig/__7.html which was originally designed to deter terrorists (World Trade Pilots trained in Hamburg), but has been now been perverted to either stop on-coming pilots or get ones out of the air. I did my ATPL theory at IFR-Flugschule @EDFB. Cost ~4000€, they speak decent English and now have a base as well at EDFE. If I remember correctly, 650 hours theory with ~80 of that in a classroom setting. Check with Roland or Klaus about personal one-on-one theory classes since they did them for some students in some topics.

I must agree with cavok_flyer! Dealing with the German Aviation Authority LBA can be a pain! Additionally if your initial EASA Medical was issued by a German AMC (Aero Medical Center) you will encounter major issues when it comes to transferring your license to another EASA country, since the LBA won't release your data due to the German data protection law (see link at the below). Not to mention the "Zuverlässigkeistprüfung" (reliability-check) as already stated above by cavok_flyer, which is kind of a personal background check conducted by the Germany authorities every few years. If there is a little discrepancy (e.g. you forgot to pay a ticket a few years ago) you pilot license might be suspended, not a good thing for a commercial pilot! In Germany and any other EASA member state there is no such thing like a "stand alone distance learning course" you must attend some additional ground school in order to be allowed to take the exams! To my knowledge, there is only one school in Switzerland which provides a "stand alone distance learning course" without attending any ground school for ICAO CPL/IR holders (I provided the link below). Alternatively one can attend a full time ground school course, there are a few schools out there providing full time courses, like Bournemouth CFT or CATS. Do you have EU-citizenship or the legal right to work in the EU, otherwise it would be pointless doing the conversion?! Anyway good luck!


http://www.pprune.org/medical-health...SA+Medical+LBA

Ground School - Bournemouth Commercial Flight Training (full time course)

https://www.catsaviation.com/courses/atpl-fulltime (full time course)

https://www.bristol.gs/ (distance learning -very good reputation)

Special Conversion Offer Courses - Horizon SFA (Switzerland - no ground school required)

A distance learning course with no classroom time is non-standard. EASA rules state that 10% of the study time must be done in a classroom, virtual or otherwise.

Have EASA approved 'virtual' classrooms, Phil? Has this been introduced recently?

I have been operating under the impression that the 10% requirement was in a live environment, owing to the difficulties in proving attendance at on-line classes.

We have approval for 50% hopefully increasing soon. EASA love the idea but the CAA don't.

No problem proving attendance - our software logs everything. It's actually the opposite with live attendances.

In any EU country or in where in the world, if its the latter and referring to Paco's post; the ATO must be certified by EASA to give the ATPL theory training?

16th Nov 2017 20:35
paco No problem there - the examining body will want to see the approval certificate of the ATO

Hey there paco , what do you mean by 50% approval

Veltro, paco, KayPam, cavok_flyer, Transsonic2000 & 2close Thank you all this has been very informative.

50% approval means we are allowed to do 50% of the consolidation via videoconferencing.

To make sure i got you, its either, 10% class 90% distance or 50% video 50% distance ?

It's 10% consolidation class and 90% distance. But 50% of the consolidation class can be done by videoconference so it would be: 90% self-study, 5% consolidation class on-site and 5% consolidation class by videoconference.

That would be it.....

Thanks mponse

Unless changed recently then no. EASA says you must take the theory and the practical course for a license in the same member state. So you cannot take theory in Germany and then do the flying in another country.
However, many countries to accept the ATPL exam from others, but it is at the disgression of that specific CAA. So be careful where you do what.

Yes you can - we have students doing that all the time. Theory in Germany, flying in UK for one.