What you need to know about the different options available to prepare for your ATPL Exams
For many new Australian pilots, becoming an airline pilot is a medium to long term goal. They know that after obtaining their Commercial Pilots Licence, they will have to spend between 3 and 10 years gaining experience in General Aviation.
Some pilots complete their seven ATPL exams right out of flight school or whilst in their first job. Others will wait several years and get the exams done once they need them to apply for an airline.
How do I choose my theory provider?
You can attend a full-time course and get the exams out of the way quickly, or spend months home studying, which saves on cost. Regardless of your preference, there are two very well-known names in ATPL theory:
- Advanced Flight Theory (AFT), by Nathan Higgins — offers both distance learning (paper) textbooks with practice exams, and full-time in-class courses on the Sunshine Coast that people flock to from all over Australia.
- AvFacts, by Rob Avery — offers a complete distance learning (online) system, plus sporadic classroom courses in Sydney and Melbourne a few times per year.
Other providers include Aviation Theory Centre, ATPL Theory, Aviation Theory Services, and UNSW.
Choose your theory provider wisely. A pass certificate may get you an interview, but only the knowledge will get you the job.
How long does it take?
As each of the seven exams is very different, the method and time of preparation will vary:
- AHUF (Human Factors): Almost identical to CHUF, so usually covered in 3–4 days full-time or 1–2 weeks part-time.
- HMET (Meteorology): 90% the same as CMET with added high-level met. Typically self-study, a few days.
- AALW (Air Law): Open-book exam — requires reading relevant paragraphs using a theory provider's checklist. Extra costs for up-to-date law books.
- AASA (Aerodynamics & Aircraft Systems): Extensive subject — 8–10 classroom days, or several weeks at home.
- ANAV (Navigation): 6–7 classroom days. May incur extra costs for aeronautical charts.
- APLA (Performance & Loading): 4–5 classroom days. Difficulty varies with mathematical ability.
- AFPA (Flight Planning): By far the hardest — 10–12 classroom days, or up to 2–3 months at home. Tackle it first or last!
How much does it cost?
A distance learning course costs around $3,000 and a full-time classroom course around $5,000. Don't forget the exam fees (~$170 each × 7 exams) plus the cost of law books and aeronautical charts.
Is home study a plausible option?
When you sign up with any theory provider, you get access to their most recent textbooks (AFT usually paper, AvFacts usually online), online practice exams, and email/phone support.
Hand-me-down materials aren't always a good option — CASA occasionally changes exam formats, and theory providers constantly update their materials accordingly.
David completed all his ATPL exams through home study. Working full-time six days a week, it took about 1.5 years, but he saved on cost and didn't need to take annual leave. For anyone with willpower, time, and solid mathematical ability, home study is absolutely viable.
For anyone with a family or busy social life, taking time off for a classroom course might be the only way to ensure enough motivation and dedicated study time.
This article was written by David Roses in 2020. This content is not sponsored by any interested parties.