Student's Testimonials

Although I already had a PPL, my 9 to 5 job was nothing to do with flying, but when I lost that, I decided to try to get my ATPL-A theory qualification. So despite the PPL, this really was going to be a case of learning from the ground up.

I’ve never been an exam person, and at 50 years old the thought of the 14 exams was off-putting, but Bristol Groundschool came highly recommended by people who had already been through them, and I was assured that if anyone was going to get me through them, they would.

And they were right!

The option to study online from home is great as you can go at a pace that is comfortable for you, and the course content is first class. It’s very well presented and flows in a way that doesn’t get you stuck on a particular subject for too long, which I liked. If there was anything I struggled to understand, I could easily find a recorded webinar to help clarify things.

The revision weeks with the instructors prior to the exams were really useful, and the sheer volume of experience in all forms of aviation that the instructors collectively have was very apparent.

I couldn’t be happier that I chose BGS and I will be encouraging anybody else I meet who is considering an ATPL to do the same.

I chose the modular route as I have a full time demanding job. Flexibility and distance learning was key for me.

I did a fair amount of research before choosing Bristol Ground School. The time and effort you invest in studying and succeeding is significant. Choosing the right school is a key. I can honestly say this has been one of the best decisions I have made.

The whole process from signing up and receiving log in details was fast and straightforward. The online platform with detailed teaching material, explanations and animations along with regular progress checks and tests really does help build your knowledge.

The revision weeks at the end of each module were a particular highlight as these significantly help consolidate knowledge and prepare you for the exams. Covid meant the last revision week for me was online. I was surprised at how well this worked, with a high level of engagement and participation in a virtual classroom.

So what did I learn throughout the process?

There are no short cuts in this. You really do need to learn your stuff AND practice using various question banks. The banks compliment your learning and help with question styles etc…but you need to know your stuff. I used a variety of question banks but found BGS to offer the most comprehensive worked and explained answers to questions. (It doesn’t help if you get a question wrong…but don’t understand why!)

From my experience, what has set BGS apart is the quality and dedication of the staff at every level, from administration to teaching. The subject leaders are seasoned pros (All are current or former pilots and engineers) who have a passion for their subject matter and an equal passion to impart knowledge and prepare you for the exams.

Make no mistakes, I found the exams tough going…but that’s because they are tough. That said, with an average mark of 91%, dedication and hard work pays off. What has made the difference for me has been the quality of the teaching material and the outstanding team who have supported and guided me throughout. Their passion is infectious!

If you are planning to invest in doing your ATPL exams, I cannot recommend BGS more highly.

Without the forward leaning and innovative approach employed by Bristol Groundschool, I doubt I would have passed all 14 exams before the 31 Dec 20 transition deadline.  The instructors and support team have all been outstanding.

The material has also been excellent and broken down into easily manageable chunks.  The fact that I have managed to pass all exams first time with a 95% average pass mark despite a busy and unpredictable full-time military career is testament to the quality of the digital material.

The past 18 months have been the busiest and most challenging of my life and not just due to the pressures of ATPL Theory. In addition to commanding my team on overseas deployments to the Middle East, Asia and the Caribbean, I found myself at the centre of the UK’s response to COVID-19, supporting the construction of the NHS Nightingale Hospital London, designing potential mobile testing units and helping to deliver UK Covid-19 Mega labs.  Throughout all of this, the flexible and bitesize nature of the lessons and learning programme meant I could still continue my studies regardless of where I was or how busy.

Furthermore, the webinars and virtual revision weeks meant I still felt well prepared for each exam.

“I decided to commence my ATPL studies whilst on maternity leave, with a 3 month old and 2 year old at home. As I was definitely not in a position to attend a full time course, distance study was my only option and Bristol Groundschool came highly recommended.

My experience as a BGS student was fantastic and the entire journey from start to finish was seamless.  Booking revision weeks and study weekends was a simple click of a button, and email queries were always answered promptly.

The educational software was easy to use, with a member of the technical support team readily available to resolve any issues. I took advantage of purchasing a set of course manuals to accompany the e-learning and much like the digital books,  the paper versions were beautifully printed, clear and easy to follow.

Lastly but most certainly not least, the Theory Instructors were superb. Their in-depth knowledge was inspiring and they were always on hand to answer questions when help was needed. They each brought their own character and unique teaching styles to the lessons, which made even the toughest of subjects fun and easier to learn. I now have an array of memory aids, quirky quotes and golden nuggets of information and advice that will forever more, live with me throughout my professional and recreational flying career.

The ATPL journey was indeed tough but, with sincere thanks to the entire BGS team and their commitment to supporting students; I graduated with 14 first time passes and an overall average pass mark of 90% (UK CAA).

I will miss my time at BGS and for any individual looking to start the ATPL journey; I cannot recommend Bristol Ground School highly enough”.

The whole experience with Bristol Groundschool has been fantastic. They go above and beyond the excellent theory training they provide.

The training material BGS has produced is very high quality, with plenty of schematics and diagrams to help with more difficult topics. Each of the instructors knows their subject(s) inside and out, and they are always happy to spend extra time answering queries.

It is clear that BGS wants to produce candidates who have a good understanding of the ATPL subjects, which certainly helps when it comes to practical flight training.

The team were very helpful in answering licensing queries I had regarding my ICAO conversion process, and the flexibility of being able to attend online webinars was invaluable considering I began the licence conversion process from abroad.

Despite the difficult nature of the ATPL theory exams, I thoroughly enjoyed the training process with BGS; they are the best in the business!

Before I had got a quarter of my way through my PPL I had decided I would be using BGS for my ATPL’s. The flexibility of the course and reputation of the company made the choice an easy one. Little did I know at the time I would be lucky enough to become one of the team a few months later. I am and always will be immensely proud of having been part of the BGS team as it’s a fantastic company with a great student centric ethos. From top to bottom the focus is on the quality and effectiveness of the course and the student experience.

Personally I worked 9-5 contributing to that experience whilst studying, solely from BGS material (I used the holy trinity of printed manuals, ATPdigital and BGSonline), in the evenings and weekends. Doing so allowed me to maintain an income to support my family and successfully complete this important stage of training at the same time. It took me 12 months exactly start to finish. I also did most of my hour building in this time too – incomprehensible with any other ATO or route.

My success is attributed to Alex and his team’s drive to continually improve the quality of the course, the fathomless depth of knowledge amongst the instructors alongside their teaching skills and the care and dedication, to the company and its students, of the rest of the BGS team.

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!

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!

When did you decide you wanted to become a pilot?
I’ve always wanted to work in aviation, first I worked as an air traffic controller, but then I started looking into becoming a pilot. I took a test session and after that I was hooked. My first flight was in 2009 and now in 2016 I am continuing to work so I can pay for my flight training. My ambition is to get a job with the airlines, any airlines.

Why did you choose the modular route?
Because it is cheaper and you can continue to work and earn.

What advice would you give to an aspiring pilot?
Just go for it, flying is the best thing I’ve ever done.

Why did you choose Bristol Groundschool?
Bristol Groundschool is the best school I’ve ever gone to, with the best instructors, the best support and the best service, unbeatable!

What are you currently doing?
I am continuing to work to pay for my flight training.

I was a student with Bristol Ground School from November 2015 – February 2017 and recently passed my final exam. I researched extensively before committing to any ATPL theory provider, but in the end, choosing Bristol Ground School was a no-brainer. Their reputation speaks for itself; Bristol Ground School has a proven track record for getting people through the ATPL theory with excellent pass marks, myself included. You’ll struggle to find a bad word spoken about them.

The quality of the printed materials and ATPDigital software is fantastic, and their question bank – BGS Online – is a must-have. The brush-up courses at the end of each module are led by highly experienced, knowledgeable and approachable instructors, who genuinely want you to succeed. They help to fully prepare you before sitting the exams.

Thanks again to everyone at Bristol Ground School for all the support during my studies. Without you, I’m sure I wouldn’t have achieved 14 first time passes with an average of over 90%.

The printed materials are very high quality with good images throughout. It made them easy to read and, even for a non-physics / maths type like me, accessible and understandable. Whilst travelling being able to access the course on the iPad or laptop was equally easy.

Whilst most study is distance learning; the face-to-face tuition is first class. The Accelerator weekends that BGS runs for the trickier subjects are to be highly recommended.

Bristol Groundschool’s team of instructors are very engaging, mostly ex-military, with good stories that bring subjects to life and lighten the drier elements of any course.

They genuinely care about their students, are accessible via phone/ email if there are any questions and it makes for a good atmosphere and learning environment. The revision weeks are also brilliant: everyone teaching really knows their stuff.

Lastly, the BGS Online question bank is invaluable. It is the most comprehensive and up-to-date question bank around.

I’d wholeheartedly recommend BGS as your approved training provider. I am currently flying corporate jets with Centreline. A dream job.

The Bristol Groundschool product is outstanding and worth every penny.

I passed all my exams in 4-months with my lowest score being 82% for Performance. This is due in part to dedication and hard work but also due to Bristol Groundschool’s great ATPdigital software training package and a committed team of instructors for every lesson; they exceeded my expectations.

Bristol’s question bank, bgsonline is a great tool to learn and identify weaknesses on topics. The explanations of the questions really help you understand the topic in a way that complements the other training material.

I’m extremely grateful to Bristol Groundschool for all the help provided to me by different members of the team their team.

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.

It’s no accident that Bristol Groundschool is described as the number one distance learning aviation school. From the first day I started with them I knew I had made the right choice.

I have just completed my ATPL theory course with a result I would have bitten your arm off at the beginning of my studies. It is an excellently run course with high quality teaching and instructors who are all professionals and experts in their field. They are always on hand to answer any queries you have or help with concepts you are struggling to understand. The support team are always there if you need them and are efficient and friendly. I would totally recommend them.

The balance of professionalism and friendliness of the staff has created the perfect environment.

In the future I’m hoping to fly a fixed wing air ambulance or rescue aircraft

Everything at Bristol Groundschool screams QUALITY!

From the premises, staff, lecturers, study materials, to the digital platform and question bank, I was highly impressed with every aspect of the Bristol Groundschool operation. The key challenge of a distance learning course is having a clear road-map and measuring your own progress.

ATPdigital and the Bristol question bank were crucial in enabling me to take ownership, map out my journey and focus on areas that needed more of my attention. All this helped me complete the course in 8 months, with first time passes at an average of 90%. I have worked with a large number of commercial organisations in my professional life and I know a good business when I see one. Thank you Bristol GS.

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.

L3 hold an annual pilot graduation ceremony celebrating the achievements of hundreds of airline pilots.  Recognised at their latest award ceremony was easyJet Cadet of the Year 2017, received by Tom Robinson a former Bristol Groundschool student who trained through the modular route.

Tom said: I successfully secured a job as a First Officer at easyJet early in 2016 and I have not looked back since. I completed my ATPL theory studies at Bristol Groundschool (BGS) which in my opinion is the industry’s best ATPL provider. I was delighted to be awarded easyJet’s Cadet of the Year 2017.

My successes with easyJet have been in no small part down to the excellent support and quality of training material at BGS. This solid theoretical preparation contributed greatly to all of my training following my time at BGS.