ATPL Groundschool

Whilst building up your pilot’s licence through the modular route, groundschool and your ATPL exams will need to be completed. There are two main considerations for this. The first is do you want to attend a full time class where you will need to attend usually Monday to Friday in a classroom, potentially a long way from home. Your learning will be quicker and any arising questions can be answered very promptly. The other option is distance learning.

This portion of the training is usually completed as you approach the end of your hour building phase although it can be completed after you have finished hour building if time is of a consideration. Don't forget to keep your flying current though!

The ATPL exams are separated into several subjects as follows:

Aviation Law

General Navigation

Radio Navigation

Flight Planning

Meteorology

VFR Communications

IFR Communications

Mass & Balance

Human Performance & Limitations

Aircraft General Knowledge

Instruments

Operational Procedures

Principles of Flight

Performance

These are normally split into two ‘modules’ so that the exams are more manageable as there is a large volume of information that needs to be learnt. Sitting of these modules takes one week, normally with several exams each day.

Distance Learning Groundschool: Distance learning is done on a self discipline basis with the learning material being sent out to you. You are able to learn at your own pace around your family and work commitments. You are assessed at regular intervals by completing open book quizzes and submitting them for marking. This also doubles as proof to the authorities for licensing purposes that you are putting in the required study. At the end of your ‘module’, which will typically take anywhere from 5 to 7 months, you will attend a two week refresher and then sit the exams within one to two weeks.

Residential Groundschool This is very similar to distance learning except the costs are higher since accommodation is often needed and the instructors time needs to be paid for. It does have the benefit of meaning you are in a more structured environment and if that’s what you need to study well then certainly consider this option. The other downside is time and many of us can’t afford to take such a long break from work.

There are several very high quality establishments offering both types of training for the ATPL exams. It is very worth shopping around. A visit with each school will often help. It is always advisable to visit someone who you will potentially spend thousands with.

Note: Although it is possible to purely complete your CPL exams, there are virtually no flying jobs, especially on high performance aircraft where you can fly without having fully completed your ATPL exams. Save the cash in the long run and go straight for the ATPL exams.

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