Bristol Distance Learning
 

I currently have a FAA CSEL and CMEL IR. Im looking to start my ATPL through distance learning or full time ground school, whichever is best. Does anyone have any information on Bristol? Or any other schools in England for that matter to complete the ATPL? Anyone went through this process. I may do the flying portion in Spain

bristol is the best...oxford sucks !:E

go bristol.GS!

I'll second BGS. And easy to fly there from Norn Irn.

Is it all distance learning or do they do a full time course? I think I will go with bristol then. Anyone have any recommendations on the flying portion??? \\\\\\\\\\\where is best to do the practical? I was looking at CTC ATP course????!!!!

go anywhere u want for the flying, never paid in advance too much.
60% of flight school is going to be bust for lack of cash.

after summer, it s going to be a massacre...it will take over 6 years to recover.

we are like in 2002-2003.in 2001.

You like spouting out drivel don't you dart :mad:

I believe BGS are still distance learning only, though if you're studying full-time at home, you'll get through fairly quickly. Give them a call and they'll give you all the gen.

Bristol Flying Centre (now Bristol Aviation) has a good reputation for modular flying but don't know what it is currently like, with the recent changes. I've no reason to believe that it's not as good as it used to be, but get some feedback from current students.

And in case you don't know - ignore anything dartagnan posts. Bit of a reputation and all that........

Hi there
I don´t know about the other distance learning school.´s in the Uk, but i know about BGS, where i´m finishing an ATPL-H, and they are very good. Excellent material to study from, with a very good brush up revision course given by very professional and experient instructors. Also theyr question bank is a great tool to complement all that by training in doing all the questions before the exams.
I did 2 PPL´s in Portugal (A+H), and a CPL in Brasil, and comparing all the shools i can say this guys are really good.

Go for it, and good luck with your studies.
Rgds

I've just finished with Bristol GS, and they're absolutely great.

SBW

How do people get around the accommodation at BGS? What are the options and the most economical ways of staying there?

BGS have a list of local B&Bs where you can stay - often these are farmhouses in nice relaxing surroundings. Some come with kitchenette type arrangements which is handy for cooking in the evening.

Thank God for Bristol.gs all 14 subjects complete 1st time pass. Would not go anywhere elese.

ahah, and how long do you think TRTO will stay in business with no help from banks??? 60% of TRTO will soon close.

it s MADNESS to invest in aviation right now.

Well Bristol.gs wont be one of them, as they arent a TRTO.

Cormactrolan
 

Cutting through the testosterone driven drivel posted here sometimes: I believe that Bristol is clearly the way to go if you'r interested in a first time pass. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Bristol Groupie; I reckon, for the money they charge, they can do something about fixing their online QDB interface, amongst many other things. That said, their material is excellent, the teachers are good, and their questions are right on the mark.

For the flying you have a massive selection, in the UK and throughout Europe. Whatever you do, look around. And as someone said above this post, pay as little in advance as you possibly can!

Success! :ok:

yes, better to invest in bristol, than a school which owns planes, because I don't see how these schools will survive without money. I think oxford will be out soon.
In the USA, the big schools are runing short of cash. I think there are too many TRTO in europe as long it was easy to get loan. Many schools have closed their door in USA (over 60%)already and the wave is coming here.
So think smart before spending your cash!

Dartagnan, we really don't care what you think.
Stop spreading gloom everywhere, especially when it comes to FTO businesses since you don't seem to have a clue of how it works. They're going to go burst, really?
Well, I'm glad you think so, seems like you've been trying to tell us through out your past 900 posts, I think you'd better stop now, it's getting quite childish.

Bristol GS is distance learning, Oxford is not (at least, for most of the students there).
Instead of wasting your time with "FTO are going to go burst !!" give some useful pieces of advice, which you could since you're really experienced in the aviation industry, aren't you?

Bristol GS is known to be excellent, and the support (books) is by far the best you can get to prepare for the ATPL. That's what makes it one of the best if not the best option to consider when thinking of going distance learning.
Keep in mind you have to attend two periods of 2 weeks each before the 7 exams, that's part of the 10% of the teaching program must be done in the school. I'm not sure about the 10% but it's the idea ..
Also, Bristol GS is about 20 miles south of Bristol, there are plenty of accomodations (B&Bs, ..) but you'll most probably need a car. Although there may be some buses going to Cheddar from Bristol.

Give them a call, they're really helpful.

Bristol GS is great, using them now and seem to be getting good marks. Will be studying tonight also.

Just keep plugging away on things people but wisely, be patient, things will eventually get better, they always do.


Golfcharlie, totally agree, I don't post too often here, but been reading a few postings and it seems that every posting by Dartagnan is "don't do it, they're all going bust!!!" ... I doubt that. Some may struggle, like every other business, but most if not all will survive through this. It's time you started thinking positive and constructively. As they say, if you don't have anything better to say, don't say it.

I will call Bristol tomorrow and sign up!!!!!! I appreciate all your efforts here to answer my queries. Much appreciated.

Cormac - Two guys I know have had experience with Bristol and whilst they had some minor issues, they both agree it is one of the best GS available and worth the investment in time and money.

BTW - our friend Dart is the guy with the sandwich board proudly proclaiming the message - Repent now for the end is nigh. He says it could happen today or tomorrow.

I wish he would let us know because I want to go both days!!

Best of luck

Rock and roll....my 10KG??? package will be here on wed. They said I need to give them 3/4 mths for the first groundschool. I told them I wanted only 2 mths and they put me in for the end of July. Realistic????? I have previous knowledge from the states

Yep 10kg sounds about right. You'll have books arrive adding up to about 4-5 inches thick... so if you think you can read through this amount within this period, plus the exam question bank, book it in for July. :) ... I think your giving yourself a bit of a task, but it may be possible. You want to give yourself the best chance of achieving the highest possible grades and rushing things isn't always the answer, but everyone is different.

I'm personally studying/working part-time, so I'm aiming for Module 1 around September. Remember no rush. Once you have sat your first exam, you then have 18 months to complete the last exams.

Has anyone sat the exams with Bristol's material but not the 2 week brush-up's.
I am looking at converting my FAA ATP and sitting the exams here in the states as the CAA has them in Florida now. I have two prior UK CAA validation's while flying for Thomas Cook in 2005 and 2007 and having the experience of sitting the Air Law exam with Baz doing a 1 day crash course with us for that. Given that experience along with the international flying my company does here in the states does anyone see a problem passing the exams without the brush-up. I am currently on furlough and have plenty of study time. My wife is also Romanian so right to work should not be a big issue.
Any input would be great.

i dont think it s a problem if you dont do the brush up course, specially for airlaw, and as long you study all questions on line.would be good if you can get the feed back from Bristol. I dont know if they print them, or put them on their server.

I know an airline pilot (non JAA)who pass the 14 exams, and didnt do any brush up course.he didnt have anyproblems, pass all test with an average 90%.

it s possible to do 7 in 2 weeks, seeen that in the past, but highly failure rate.
3-4 months for 7 exams would be more appropriated.

again stay away from other flight school and please guys give me a brake , it s your money, not mine, I am not interested to know how you are going to loose your money!.I hope my message is now passed and stop PM me for help , I can not get your money back, take a lawyer.

thus all ok with Bristol!

Yes, if you already have an ICAO ATPL and a specified number of hours. Call Bristol (or email) for confirmation that you may be exempt the brush-up course.

Cheers

Whirls

I have already exchanged emails with Baz and Noush there and am about to purchase the materials (manuals, note, etc...) and Window CBT. Just wondering due to being in the states about the prospects of passing the exams with their material but without the brush-up courses as I am not required to take a course but do not want to discredit the value of the brush-up if has that much of an affect on the outcome. Other background info...
3700TT
FAA ATP and FE
B757\767 type rating
1400 757 FO\IRO (ETOPS)
1300 727 FO
700 727 FE
2005 and 2007 Thomas Cook 757FO GLA based
Currently on furlough at Ryan International Airlines
4 year Bachelor degree in Aviation Technology from Purdue University
Right to work via spouse (wife is Romanian)

Aeroplanes still fly the same way in Europe :} The main differences will be Air Law and Ops and there's not usually brush-up courses for these; it's a case of Read and Remember.

Other subjects such as Met and Nav will all come flooding back to you I'm sure.

Cheers

Whirls

Cormactrolan
 

Good for you buddy. With an attitude like yours, you're gonna cruise through the course and exams. Enjoy! :ok:

yeah, but your wife is from Romany, so I don't know about your chance to pass these tests. If she was french and working for the king, it would be different...!!

does a Distance learning pilot(Bristol) have equal chances to get hired than a modular/intergrated pilot(Oxford)?

Generally what gets people hired is having an aptitude for the job and one of the prerequisites for this is showing an ability to do a little bit of research. These individuals would for example put on the kettle and sit down with a nice cup of tea and read the stickies at the top of the forum. After a day or so of digesting the information that has been posted these individuals would be best placed to make an informed decision as to whether modular or integrated was best suited to them and ask follow up questions.

Thesandbox,

The Bristol GS notes and CBT are great, and if you've got those you'll quite happily be able to pass the exams without the brush up courses, although I'd seriously recommend that you part with an extra £50 and purchase access to their online questionbank. About 95-99% of the questions that appear in the exams are in their database, so it makes the exams very easy. In terms of time, I did the whole course and all the exams in 3 months - not something I'd care to repeat anytime soon, but it is possible if you're motivated.

PM me if you want more details.

SBW

Hi
Was that studying fulltime and just going over the question bank?
Did you already have an ICAO ATP?
Cheers

I can't speak highly enough of Bristol Groundschool and all the staff and instructors. When I was thinking about distance learning I considered Oxford Aviation and Bristol Groundschool- I was advised to use Bristol and I know I made the right decision. I took 24 weeks to study Mod 1 and Mod 2 and I passed all my exams first time thanks to the team at Bristol and the question bank. The brush up is hard going but the instructors are great at what they do and as long as you put the work in you get the results!

Hi,
May have been asked before but how do I sign up for the distance learning. Is it over the phone?. Is all the study material then delivered to my house.

Thanks

I did all my 14 exams in 2 months flat. Not boasting just saying that it is possible to do it in such a short time. I did work my buttocks for the 2 months though and passed them all first time.

Martini-man,

No, I didn't have an ATP from elsewhere, but I had been flying for the military for about 10 years prior. I was studying the BGS notes a lot, but not quite full-time, except for the 3 weeks leading up to the exams (when the workload became quite unpleasant at times). I did all of the progress tests etc from the online course, then hammered the questionbank. Like Kash360, it does involve a great deal of work, but it's not insurmountable.

Cheers,

SBW

Hi
Thanks for that mate.
:ok:

BGS is not to be confused with Bristol Aviation.

BGS is excellent. Bristol Aviation leave a lot to be desired. The training is very good, but the admin are a nightmare to deal with :ugh:

just a quicky...

How many hours on average did the people here study for?

Obviously more is better but feedback from people who had other commitments i.e work, girlfriends etc would be nice

C-R