Richard Harper

There is no difference in the high quality of the BGS classroom tuition by attending the school or…

There is no difference in the high quality of the BGS classroom tuition by attending the school or joining the online classes; I have done both. The webinars and the flexible online revision options have meant I can complete my studies around my job and in my own home environment. The recorded webinars are a valuable resource to refer back to for detailed instruction at one’s own convenience, for previously viewed and interacted subject instruction.

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

Are you an Aviation Training Organisation?

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.

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:

Matthew Ross

Bristol Groundschool is a great choice for students. It provides you with maximum flexibility to study around your family and work commitments and you don’t need to travel and incur those extra expenses.

The new completely online training option at Bristol Groundschool is a great choice for students.

It provides you with maximum flexibility to study around your family and work commitments and you don’t need to travel and incur those extra expenses.

Bristol were the last ATO offering exams before lock-down and the first to restart.

Without the webinars, online revision courses and help from fantastic instructors I would never have done so well in my exams. With their help, I finished my ATPL’s on the first sitting when BGS re-opened.

I have now completed my studies, all whilst working full-time in Flight Operations. Well done BGS for leading the way again.

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!

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.

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.

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