JAA ATPL/CPL(H) Ground School / Distance Learning

[oneip01]

Hi,

I am planning to begin the modular route with Multiflight next year who use Bristol Ground School for the ATPL exams.

Would anyone recommend I brush up on my physics and maths (GCSE standard) in preperation for the ATPL studies? (Any specific areas?)

I am expecting the ATPL exams to be the most difficult part of the course for me, and want to use the next few months to help myself prepare for them.

Any feedback / suggestions would be appreciated!

Peter

[Another TD]

Oxford Distance learning exam prep course

Has anybody completed the OATS ATPL distance learning course recently? How did you find the exam prep courses,are they adequate at preparing for the exam?

The reason I ask is that the few Oxford books that I have read seem poorly presented for self study i.e.. no index,too comprehensive or in the case of the a/c performance book have insuffient detail with some of the sample charts not used in the exam! I have bought BGS course notes via ebay and I have to say they are spot on,very professional.

My dilemma is that I want to go on the waypoints course so as to have as good a cv as possible and will use the BGS notes to study at home with then attend the oxford prep course as part of the waypoints,I just wont tell them I didn't unwrap their notes!

Informed replies only please.

[moyeslitespeed]

Distance learning?!

Hi,
I'm on full time job.
~25 days of holidays each year Can't leave the job for long.

So I'm thinking about modular training.

First one is PPL. Ok. I can do it without leaving the job at the local airport.

Next is obtaining ATPL. I heard about ATPL distance learning. How does it work?

What about CPL, ME, IR, MCC ?

The main reason for posting this thread is how much time involves being away from job? Is it possible to do the distance learning on CPL, ME, IR, MCC?

I've already read this thread
Some general background info, frequently asked here
but didn't find answers there

Thank you

Best regards

[fatlazypilot]

Originally Posted by moyeslitespeed

Hi,


What about CPL, ME, IR, MCC ?

The main reason for posting this thread is how much time involves being away from job? Is it possible to do the distance learning on CPL, ME, IR, MCC?


Best regards

I dont think so. But the ATPL distance learning could be completed in less then 6 months with about 30 hours of study each week. The ATPL, you do on the internet, some schools require you to take their final exams at their facility, and its much cheaper all in all. PEA offers JAA ATPL ground school for less then $2000.

[moyeslitespeed]

Ok. Thanks.
what about the ATPL exams? How much time does it take to pass the exams (days) ?

[SinBin]

I'll put your mind at ease, I work for a large ATC service provider, I work long hours and have a stressful job at the best of times, I get given 28 days holiday a year. I did the PPL, distance learning ATPL/ 103 Hours building, CPL, MEP, IR and MCC, all in two years, worked full time and had first time passes. I'm now not in debt, have the fATPL in my hand, and actively seeking that first pilot job! I even have enough left over if I need to pay for a TR. It is possible to do it all part time if you're prepared to work your butt off, I did it all at weekends and evenings, and took 4 weeks off last year to do the full time aspects of groundschool which are required by law. Good luck and it is possible! Don't let ANYONE tell you it's not. Some schools told me it was impossible not to do full time, well I guess I proved them wrong, and they never saw my money!!

PM me if you like

[Grass strip basher]

To date my experience has been the same as SinBin... c150-200 hours total flying time and 2/3rds of the way through groundschool.... working a 60-70 hour week and still finding all the necessary time to study (and not sacrificing social life completely!).... sure it is taking a little longer (exams will take about 12 months in total) but I am actually quite enjoying the whole process at the moment.... it is a bit of light relief from the toils of my current day job!

[Cutoff]

I did all the training, PPL, IMC, Multi,night, CPL / IR and MCC as well as the ATPLs without having to pack up work. The only snag was the MCC, BUT, that was my own doing, I needed it in a hurry so I took a couple of weeks off work unpaid. I had actually found an MCC that I could do in the evenings, but elected to take the time off work, so this could be completed part time too. It will take you longer, the part time route, but more than possible.

I started the PPL in Spring 2002 and finished the MCC Sep 2005.

It did pay off too, I am 36 and currently being paid to fly a 54seat TP, without having to pay for a type rating, when I started the job I had 330hrs total.

Good luck.

[dwshimoda]

I'm in the middle of it currently. My experience has been that doing the ATPL's was tough, but doable, as long as you are dedicated. What knackered me out was using all my holiday for a year for groundschool and exams - when I finally passed the last ATPL's I took a week off to do nothing & recover.

What's consuming my time now is the availability of slots to complete the CPL (got my 170A coming up this Saturday) - it's not dedicating the time - it's the weather being flyable when you have slots booked. I know this is beyond our control, but I literally lost 6 weeks of time due to dodgy evenings / week-ends.

I'm hoping to start the IR in the next few weeks, and hopefully that will, by it's nature, be a little less weather dependant.

It's definitely doable, just needs dedication, and a little luck with the weather!

Cutoff - do you mind sharing where you found to do an evening MCC - I've found several that will be quite flexible, but they all still need some time off.

DW.

[Cutoff]

At the time I was looking to do it, this time last year, Jetlinx did the simulator element in the evenings. There is still the groundschool, done at Gloucester a weekend or two prior to the sim sessions.
It does depend on sim availability and there being a partner for the sim though.

Regards

[dwshimoda]

Thanks Cutoff.

Must admit, Jetlinx is my preferred choice at the minute. As you say, it depends on getting a partner - I'll hopefully be starting toadvertise for one in 3 /4 months time!

Congrats on the job too - it's nice to know there is some hope for those of us in training who are the wrong side of 30!

DW.

[Cutoff]

Of course there is hope. The key is timing, I think anyway, keeping an eye on the websites that open and making sure that you are one of the first to apply. It is very much down to luck, it certainly is NOT about paying for a type rating, no-one is going to take a low houred guy with a type rating, they will want to put them through their own training program - to prove that they are up to the the task.
good luck with the MCC, a pity that you do not have it already as the FlyBe site is to open any time.

[SinBin]

I did my MCC in the evenings at BCFT! Recently!

[Lonedog]

Naples ground school distance learning ATPL

Allo

anybody have some personal experience with these guys?

I'm interested in doing a licence conversion from Canadian ATPL to JAA, but their webpage hasn't been updated since 2005 and much of it is incomplete. I'm wondering if I should interpret this as a sign of the bigger picture.

Appreciate hearing your thoughts

Ldog

[flyndad]

Naples Air Center

Can anyone advise me on the quality of the distance learning programme with this school? I live in Canada and it would probably be more cost effective for me to complete the ATPL exams with them if I get some positive feedback. All replies appreciated.

[Bandit650]

ATPL Distance Learning Studies

Hi All
Can anyone offer some examples of how long it took them to complete ATPL studies by distance learning?
Many thanks
Bandit650

[Aeronut]

16 months. Actually quite enjoyed it! Studying with full time employment requires discipline and a sort of timetable to set the routine and let others know when you are and are not available.

[jarvis123]

8 months with GTS (who were very good), but that was going sum!

[Bandit650]

ATPL Distance Learning

any views on if having a PPL (i.e possess some air knowledge) assists to a significant degree?
I'm curious as I did an web-based online specimen air-law ATPL test out of sheer interest the other day was surpised to find I had scored 65% (I realise that's a fail but I was expecting a much lower score)

[mcgoo]

You have to hold an ICAO PPL to commence ATPL studies.