Pilot Training FAQs

Initially all our training will be via the UK CAA, so you will receive a UK CAA Completion Certificate. We are in the process of applying for EASA approval and as soon as this has gone through, we will be able to offer EASA Certificates as well.

You cannot mix old and new syllabus exams and we are only able to provide new syllabus training, so you will need to finish your training with your current school.

Whilst we don’t recommend you try and learn from any question bank, they are a useful tool for knowledge consolidation and for practising the type of questions you will encounter in your actual exams. Your course comes with the QB built into the study material, but you may also be recommended a supplementary QB if your instructor thinks it might be helpful.

You will have the option to take UK CAA Exams or EASA Exams (via Austro Control once we have EASA Approval). Both of these can be taken at Basepoint in Luton, less than 2 miles from the training centre.

In order to convert an FAA ATPL to an EASA ATPL, all of the exams must be taken but full credit can be given for the course and groundschool, as long as you have at least 1500hrs multi-crew time.

The ATPL full-time course takes 5-6 months. The ATPL distance learning course takes 6-18 months, depending on how much time you have to study each day.

Unfortunately we are not currently able to accept ELCAS students. We will update our website as soon as we are registered.

Yes, and it’s free.

For the ATPL course you will need an iPad or iMac, plus:

1. Jeppesen Student Pilot Route Manual (latest edition only post 2017).
2. CRP5 Navigation computer.
3. Navigation protractor.
4. Precision drawing set.
5. An exam approved calculator.

No equipment is included.

All the books that you need to complete the course are included in the price, (except for the Jeppesen General Student Pilot Route Manual) and are provided by Padpilot.

There are a maximum of 16 students in the full-time ATPL class and ATPL revision classes.

Accommodation is not included in our courses unless you select a course that specifically includes accommodation. We also have a list of recommended accommodation that is close to our training sites.

For the PPL theory course, you can expect to have one or two instructors. For the ATPL course you could have 3 or 4, as some of the subjects are quite specialised and we try to use instructors that have subject matter expertise. You will find that this is the case in most ATPL schools.

Full-time ATPL courses are normally run twice per year and are 5-6 months long. However, the course is broken down into 3 stages and you can join the course at the start of any stage, stages start approximately every 8 weeks.

We are able to offer a reduced price on the ATPL Online Question Bank.

Payment by instalments is available on most of our courses.

There are 13 subjects (plus a development subject) to complete on the ATPL course, that are split into 3 manageable modules. Each module is 7 weeks in duration.

BSA is approved to deliver both face-to-face training in the classroom (restrictions permitting) and on-line if required.

Before you start the ATPL(A) course you must hold an ICAO PPL(A).

No the Padpilot system can only be accessed via Apple iPad, iPhone or Mac.