In this series of blogs, we hear from Bristol Groundschool students about their time studying with us, why they chose to become a pilot and what they’ve gone on to achieve since gaining their ATPL/CPL.
Sam Ablo recently completed his ATPL(A) theory with Bristol Groundschool. Sam has just secured a job with British Airways mainline out of Heathrow Airport.
Here he shares his thoughts on modular training and some advice to future students.
What made you choose the modular route over integrated?
Deciding what route to take coming from a completely unrelated aviation background with no relatives within the industry was a difficult task. Ultimately it came down to money and even with good training providers you can save a lot of money. However, once I found my feet during my modular training, I would retake the same route. Going with the modular route you get to choose who you train with, when you train and how long you take whilst still achieving exceptional training.
Would you recommend BGS for their ATPL study?
If you have taken the modular route, then more than likely you are more than 110% motivated to achieve your goal of flying for a living and with that in mind would 100% recommend BGS for distance learning. Distance learning gives you a lot of independence, however knowing that an email to the extremely knowledgeable TKI at BGS is a few keystrokes away.
Which flight training providers did you complete your training with?
For my PPL I trained at Anglian Flight Centres flying the Robin HR200, once achieving my PPL I carried on hour building there whilst also completing my ATPL theory with Bristol Groundschool. To finish off my commercial training I trained (partially) at FTA Global for my MEP and most of my IR which led to finishing off my IR and CPL at Blackbushe Aviation which I cannot recommend highly enough.
What advice would you give to other budding modular students from your experience?
It’s difficult and at times lonely so use any opportunity you can to make friends that are also in training and even better if they are at the same point in training as you. You will find or at least I did that you doubt whether you are good enough to reach your goal and if you are studying enough (which I found once I started asking myself that question I probably was), but just keep pushing because eventually even when it doesn’t look or feel like it you will be out of the other side questioning what you were worried about in the first place.
