JAA ATPL Groundschool
[Schools in Europe] [Schools in United Kingdom]
ATPL is short for Airline Transport Pilot License and is the highest license a pilot can obtain. This is the certificate that allows you to be the pilot in command (PIC), or captain if you like, of large transport aircrafts. As all airlines hire first officers with the outlook of one day turning them into captains, there is really no way about an airline career without the ATPL qualification.
In practical terms this is obtained by sitting the 14 ATPL written exams and completing a commercial pilot license (CPL) practical skill test. This will give you an ATPL "frozen" certificate you can later unlock with the required flying experience. Most pilots gain this experience by working as a first officer for an airline, and the transition from CPL with ATPL "frozen" to full ATPL is normally obtained a few years after you become a professional pilot.
14 written exams for the JAA ATPL
Though there are many ways of acquiring the knowledge needed everybody who wants to obtain a JAA ATPL has to sit the 14 written exams. There are a few exceptions, mainly military pilots and pilots with several thousand hours PIC time on heavy jet, but we are not going to cover that here.
The 14 exams consist of human performance and limitations, radio navigation, flight planning, mass & balance, aircraft systems & power-plant, air law, operational procedures, general navigation, meteorology, performance, principles of flight, instruments, VFR communications and IFR communications.
Sitting the exams is only possible by first completing a JAA approved training program. This can be done as distance learning (min. 35% classroom), classroom training (ground school) or as part of an ab-initio or "fast-track" program.
How long does it take?
As everything else, it really depends on your own motivation, economy and time to spend. If you can't study full time for the ATPL exams it may be an idea to join a distant learning program and study at your own phase. Be aware that some programs may give you a maximum time limit on how late after you sign up you can sit the exams. Further - ones you sit the first round of exams at a testing center you have 18 months to sit, and pass, all 14 exams.
If you choose to sign up with an ATPL ground school the length of training range from 6 months to 2 years. Though the length of training may vary the amount of knowledge you need to acquire remains the same, just be aware that if you chose to do a 6 month ATPL ground school (which seems to be the norm) the progression curve required to get ready for the exams is very steep. As all JAA ground schools are required to hold in-house testing before they sign you up for the exams you may find the amount of knowledge and the short time given overwhelming to complete such a course.
How easy is it?
There is no one answer to this questions as we all learn differently, however I can tell you right now that it's not a walk in the park. If you do a 6 months course you may find that it is much tougher then most college programs due to the huge amount of knowledge in a very limited time. On the other hand - a six month course is just that; 6 months - and ones you've done it (and passed the exams) you are done for life. Do calculate at least 8 months from course start date until you sit the last exam as schools usually have a self study period between course end and the exam sitting.
Pre-qualifications
You need to hold at least an ICAO Private Pilot License (PPL) before you attend a JAA ATPL ground school. A good understanding of math and physics will also be of great help as some of the topics require math and physics at a medium to advanced level.
Focus areas should be trigonometry, algebra, understanding of equations, being able to read formulas, aerodynamics, how forces work and (of course) the basic multiplication, subtraction, etc.
Where do I sign up!?
All major schools offer ATPL ground schools. If you're not sure if flying is for you and don't have previous experience taking a trial lesson or obtaining the private pilot license with your local flying club is strongly advised.
Find a flight school to train with today.
Good luck!
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