CAA Exams

BGS is open – we’re continuing to accept new students & orders Coronavirus: Course and exam information for students

The leading ATPL distance learning specialist

Now in operation for over 28 years, Bristol Groundschool is Europe’s leading provider of modular distance learning courses for the EASA Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence (ATPL).

Our first-to-market, innovative and intuitive training materials have set the standard for ground school study in the aviation training market, with a proven success rate far in excess of traditional classroom-based or iPad-only learning.

View our modular ATPL courses

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We are the market leading provider of ATPL training resources and materials to ATOs around the world: join our global network of ATPL training partners.

We’re still here to help

The BGS team are all working from home, and available to contact.

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Latest Brexit & EASA Information

View the latest information on the UK’s departure from EASA at the end of 2020.

UK leaving EASA

BGS ATPL (A) books now available

A complete set of printed manuals for all the subjects in the course. The ‘loose-leaf manuals’ come on high quality paper in full colour, with Bristol Groundschool ring binders. We also offer ATPL(A) ‘bound manuals’ on high quality paper in full colour, if you prefer. If you are purchasing your manuals at the same time as a course, contact us to get a link to a discounted set.

Buy a set of manuals

Looking for Flight Training?

Wings Alliance provides high quality, cost effective flight training. Founded by Bristol Groundschool, this non-profit company offers flexible training options which means you can join at any time.

Wings Alliance provides support and advice at all stages of training, including graduate placement support to help you secure your first airline job. They have a 98% employment success rate.

Explore Wings Alliance Training.

The best online ATPL question bank – bgsonline

Why choose Bristol’s bgsonline?

  • Over 15,000 ATPL (A), ATPL (H) / IR, CPL (A) and IR multiple choice exam questions.
  • As an on-site EASA examination centre we have the benefit of regularly updating our question bank following student feedback.
  • Questions have detailed explanations and illustrations.
  • Practise exams and progress monitoring.

FREE 3 DAY TRIAL SIGN UP

What our students say:

Hanna Kerr

First Officer Loganair

From start to finish, Bristol Groundschool is a fantastic school to do ATPL’s with. The course material is…

From start to finish, Bristol Groundschool is a fantastic school to do ATPL’s with. The course material is easy to use, very well explained and thought of. The brush up courses though are the best thing about Bristol. You meet great people and are taught by knowledgeable and interesting instructors.

There were times I would study at home for hours not understanding something, then at the brush up, the amazing instructors would have me understanding it in half an hour.  Above all, the support Bristol give through a very hard course is wonderful, there is always someone there to help should you, if you need it.

I would highly recommend training for ATPL’s with them.

Nil Ganduxe

First Officer for MEDOPS, Air Nostrum (Iberia Regional)

I couldn’t recommend Bristol Groundschool enough – from the ATP digital software and the revision week, to the massive and really up-to-date question bank – bgsonline, the whole package together with the great support from the whole BGS team made it easier than I expected.

I couldn’t recommend Bristol Groundschool enough – from the ATP digital software and the revision week, to the massive and really up-to-date question bank – bgsonline, the whole package together with the great support from the whole BGS team made it easier than I expected.

Ben Bowker

Jet2 First Officer

Bristol really put together a fantastic package for the Revision Weeks with top notch instructors and great material, its then when everything really comes together.

Bristol really put together a fantastic package for the Revision Weeks with top notch instructors and great material, it’s then when everything really comes together.

I’m a huge advocate of the modular training route. Bristol Groundschool worked for me. The quality of their books, online training and question bank made it easier for me to organise my study and made it far less painful than it may otherwise have been if I had not studied with them. The modules were really well structured and the technical detail was made easy to understand.

When I got to the Revision Weeks, and I’m sure 99% would agree, Bristol really put together a fantastic package with top notch instructors and its then when it really comes together. By the end of the Revision Weeks you really are ready for the exams. A lot of hard work but quite enjoyable too.

After totting up my training cost from 0 – ATPL, I have spent around £40K which has been spread over a number of years, so for me, coming from what I would call an average financial background has been demanding yes, but achievable. Also, if you’re able to work alongside your training, any debts you do pick up will be able to be paid off far quicker, so you’re not having to wait until you start your first airline job before you begin to pay back any borrowed money.

Distance learning is hard enough so make sure you have the best materials, support and instructors and use a school, like Bristol Groundschool that has proven it works.

I started my pilot career with Jet2 as a pilot apprentice. That consisted of 12 months on the ground. The first 2 months were spent in various departments at the head office in Leeds, 2 months flying as cabin crew, then the remainder of the time working as a crew room assistant preparing flight paperwork for crews and looking after general logistics. After all of that Jet2 bonded my type rating on the Boeing 737-800 and I am now flying as a first officer based at Manchester.

The Jet2 Pilot Apprentice scheme is a fabulous opportunity for low hour pilots to get themselves involved in the industry. You have the opportunity to learn about all parts of the airline business and gain a good understanding of how each different department knits together to run a successful airline. All of that background information is particularly valuable when you finally get to fly in the right hand seat!

Andreas Rosboch

Second Officer, Cathay Pacific, based in Hong Kong.

The training at Bristol Groundschool and the quality of ATPdigital is outstanding. The trainers are excellent and they know what they need to do for you to pass.

I chose Bristol Groundschool over competing courses because of the excellent reviews online and not offering discounts to lure people in. The training at Bristol Groundschool and the quality of ATPdigital is outstanding. I still use the books for revision. The trainers are excellent and they know what they need to do for you to pass.

If you think you’ve studied enough, study another 10%. This will make all the difference. That holds true at the airlines as well.
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