Jonethan Griffin

The Bristol Groundschool webinars are second to none. The development of the distance learning model for ATPLs to a hybrid between integrated and distance learning has really filled a gap in the market.

The Bristol Groundschool webinars are second to none. The development of the distance learning model for ATPLs to a hybrid between integrated and distance learning has really filled a gap in the market.

Being able to access and learn the complete course in such a flexible and user friendly way has been crucial for me, whilst trying to balance a 60 hour working week, 2 children and a partner at university! Thank you BGS, I will be forever in your debt.

The leading ATPL distance learning specialist

In operation for over 28 years, Bristol Groundschool (BGS) is Europe’s leading provider of modular distance learning courses for the EASA Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence (ATPL) for fixed wing and helicopter pilots.

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.

Fully taught online

Developed during the coronavirus crisis, the BGS ATPL distance learning course offers the option as standard to participate in online webinars which cover the entire course, another 200 hours of training time available to enrich your distance learning experience. You can participate in the daily live webinars or view them later as recordings. We also schedule regular live online revision courses, attended ideally, just before your exams using the webinar format. This, combined with our computer-based training (CBT) software, ATPdigital, and the bgsonline question bank with its detailed explanations of exam questions means we offer a complete training solution comparable to, but much more flexible than, much more expensive ‘full-time’ courses. No-one misses out!

View our flexible ATPL courses

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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.

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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.

What our students say:

Paul Ryan

First Officer, Flybe

I would totally recommend Bristol Groundschool – 14 first time passes and over 90% exam average, all while working full-time in less than 12 months, what more could you ask for.

Bristol Groundschool deliver high quality training and go the extra mile to support each and every student.

I would totally recommend Bristol Groundschool – 14 first time passes and over 90% exam average, all while working full-time in less than 12 months, what more could you ask for. Bristol Groundschool deliver high quality training and go the extra mile to support each and every student.

Bristol Groundschool is excellent, the computer-based training software, ATPdigital is fantastic, it gives you structured learning and daily study targets based on your desired completion date. Couple this with the Revision Weeks that are delivered by highly experienced instructors.

If you complete the computer-based course, attend the Revision Weeks and complete the work given while you are at the Ground School you can be confident of passing your exams. Without the structured content of the Bristol course and high level of training from the staff I would not have been able to work and study at the same time.

I chose the modular training path as I feel it is better for students who are self-funding their training, having the ability to do each part as finances allow is a big plus.

Debbie Thomas

Second Officer easyJet

Being a working mum, re-training to become an airline pilot was something I knew would not be easy,…

Being a working mum, re-training to become an airline pilot was something I knew would not be easy, but after researching the modular route, I realised that it could be possible.

I found Bristol Ground School were local to me, so I went to visit them, and signed up for the ATPL course that week. The distance learning and week-long classroom courses at the end of each module fitted in very well with my other commitments. I found the iPad software and lesson format with regular tests to be a great way to absorb the information.

The Bristol Groundschool revision weeks were a great way to consolidate the information with very experienced and supportive teachers. I managed to do the course in 16 months, and went on do my CPL/MEIR shortly afterwards, and very soon after finished my training, I was offered a Second Officer position at Easyjet!. I am well into the line training at the moment and loving it.

Thank you to the BGS team for helping me through the course and making this possible!

Stephanie Bloxidge

Flybe First Officer

I know having studied with Bristol Groundschool and having them on my CV really helped me at my interview. The staff at Bristol Groundschool really care and are passionate about their subjects.

I know having studied with Bristol Groundschool and having them on my CV really helped me at my interview. The staff at Bristol Groundschool really care and are passionate about their subjects. I would definitely recommend them, their course material and question bank.

I chose Bristol Groundschool because I had been recommended them by numerous friends within the industry, so it was an easy choice!

Bristol Groundschool helped me achieve better results than I ever could have imagined for my ATPL’s. The Revision Weeks are the perfect environment to consolidate all the hard work you’ve already put in and to give you complete confidence when walking into the exam room!

I never thought I would have fond memories of the ATPL theory exams, but I can honestly say, I had the best time! I found it really hard to believe I was ready for the first Revision Week when I had completed all the modules on the iPad. However, the Revision Week reinforced everything I had learnt and ironed out anything I had been unsure about. The ATPL course requires a lot of hard work but I felt fully prepared by the time I went to my exams. I have made some great friends at Bristol and many of us have kept in touch.

My first 2 years flying the Dash 8 Q400 turboprop were a fantastic foundation and I am now really enjoying the new challenges of flying a 50 tonne jet! I would like to progress within Flybe and gain a command on this fantastic aircraft.

Edoardo Minuto

First Officer, Vietnam Airlines

The ATPL distance learning course with Bristol was amazing. I passed all my theory exams first time, with an average score of 92%+!!!

Your fame precedes you, and I had no doubt for a moment about where I would do my ATPL theory courses. The distance learning with Bristol was amazing, the online question bank was even then ahead of its time and the brush-up courses just helped to complete an excellent preparation. I passed all my theory exams first time, with an average score of 92%+!!!

I completed my CPL/IR and MCC, and after a thorough selection process, I joined the cadet program of Vietnam Airlines in September 2015 and I am now proudly working as a First Officer for Vietnam Airlines.

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