JAA ATPL(H) Distance Learning Course
A modular helicopter specific self-study program for the JAA ATPL(H), in three modules covering thirteen subjects, geared for 650 hours of home study, with a 1-week consolidation for each one at the CAPT offices. The material itself is not difficult to master, but there is a lot of it, so you should allow about 6 months for the whole process, including taking the exams, based on 6 hours a day, Monday to Friday, but this could be longer or (slightly) shorter, depending on your aptitude, finances, weather, family commitments, etc. (we base it on 20 study hours per week).
JAA stands for Joint Aviation Authorities, which works on the premise that aviation is the same in most civilised countries, and can therefore be standardised to a certain extent. Essentially, back in 1970, certain European countries agreed upon common procedures to help with importing and exporting aircraft, and type certification and maintenance, based on existing European regulations and FARs (from the FAA in the USA), where acceptable. In fact, the maintenance side of JAR, 145, is directly drawn from FAR Parts 43 and 145, and the bottom line was making it easier to use foreign aircraft. Now, the process involves licensing and other documentation, which means that once you have a JAA pilot licence, you can use it in any JAA country, which effectively means all over Europe. Visas, of course, are another story!
To start the course, you must hold an ICAO PPL(H), and have enough knowledge of maths and physics to understand the course content, but much of what you need is included. Although not required to start our course, we recommend that you also obtain a Class 1 medical, because all the studying in the world is no use unless you pass it!
You will initially receive the course notes and reference material for the first module, plus a course CD. Progress tests (below) should be completed and submitted every week (by post, fax, or email), and you must gain a pass mark of 75%. We are obliged to keep a close eye on your progress, and there is an 18-month window in which to complete your studies. For the support service, we are available on telephone, fax, skype and email, and if we can't give you an immediate answer, we aim to produce a solution within 24 hours.
For those with long distances to travel, the consolidation weeks can be combined, so you only get involved with one set of travel tickets. The consolidation takes place at Wycombe Air Park near London, England and, by arrangement with Bristow Academy, at their JAA facility in Florida, or with the Civil Aviation Academy near Valencia, in Spain (Netherlands coming soon!) We also have an approved mobile classroom for up to 3 people. Consolidation weeks take place in the last week of every month.
Each module costs £795, including VAT (£100 more if you plan to do the consolidation weeks in Florida or Spain), which can be split up as follows, for people who are exempt some requirements (and to help with cashflow!):
- Course notes, including progress tests (not the answers!) £395
- 1 week classroom consolidation £400
If the whole course is purchased at once, the cost is reduced to £2250, plus any US options.
The classroom based version of this course costs £7995.
As of early 2009, the exams cost £66 per paper, and can be sat at Glasgow, Silsoe, Oxford or Gatwick on designated days. The full medical is £435. The CAA examiner will extract £691 from you for the skill test. If you get a "partial pass" the resit is £462. If you fail, the retest is another £691. The grant of the licence is £210. The grant or renewal of FRTOL is £63. Additional types are £105 each.
Tip: If you intend to do an Instructor course, combine your skill test with the pre-entry flight test.
Don't forget accommodation, and that some items required for the course, such as the Douglas Protractor, Flight Computer, etc. are not included in the course prices, as we figure that students will have their own preferences. The Jeppesen manual required for flight planning is also supplied, but we would like it back as it cannot be used for navigation purposes anyway.
This course also includes a Single Pilot CRM certificate.
| Whole course £2250 | |
| Module 1 £795 | |
| Module 1 Notes £395 | |
These progress tests are for the use of CAPT students. If you are not a CAPT student but have stumbled across them, you may use them as an aid for your own studies, as a gesture of goodwill on our part, but they are NOT a replacement for the online databases (as listed below). You may not alter, deface, sell or otherwise distribute them.
Online JAA question banks:
- Aviation Tire (free)
- atpls.org (free)
- Bristol Ground School (recommended for UK students)
- Aviation Exam
- easy-atpl
- Dauntless
Progress Tests (old syllabus with Radio Nav in first module. 3rd module is unaffected):
Module 1
- Module 1 Progress Test 1
- Module 1 Progress Test 2
- Module 1 Progress Test 3
- Module 1 Progress Test 4
- Module 1 Progress Test 5
- Module 1 Progress Test 6
- Module 1 Progress Test 7
- Module 1 Progress Test 8
- Module 1 Progress Test 9
- Module 1 Progress Test 10
- Module 1 Progress Test 11
- Module 1 Progress Test 12
Module 2
- Module 2 Progress Test 1
- Module 2 Progress Test 2
- Module 2 Progress Test 3
- Module 2 Progress Test 4
- Module 2 Progress Test 5
- Module 2 Progress Test 6
- Module 2 Progress Test 7
- Module 2 Progress Test 8
Progress Tests (New syllabus with Radio Nav in second module):
Module 1
- Module 1 Progress Test 1
- Module 1 Progress Test 2
- Module 1 Progress Test 3
- Module 1 Progress Test 4
- Module 1 Progress Test 5
- Module 1 Progress Test 6
- Module 1 Progress Test 7
- Module 1 Progress Test 8
- Module 1 Progress Test 9
- Module 1 Progress Test 10
- Module 1 Progress Test 11
- Module 1 Progress Test 12
Module 2
- Module 2 Progress Test 1
- Module 2 Progress Test 2
- Module 2 Progress Test 3
- Module 2 Progress Test 4
- Module 2 Progress Test 5
- Module 2 Progress Test 6
- Module 2 Progress Test 7
- Module 2 Progress Test 8
Module 3
- Module 3 Progress Test 1
- Module 3 Progress Test 2
- Module 3 Progress Test 3
- Module 3 Progress Test 4
- Module 3 Progress Test 5
- Module 3 Progress Test 6
- Module 3 Progress Test 7
- Module 3 Progress Test 8
- Module 3 Progress Test 9
Mock Exams