Denis Howard's Monthly Student Blog

26th August 2009

Hi again,and for any newcomers to my monthly blog,welcome and I suppose I better reintroduce myself.My name is Denis Howard and I started at Atlantic Flight Training in December 2008.I completed my PPL in 6 months on a part-time basis while at the same time working as a secondary school teacher in Colaiste Chriost Ri teaching technical drawing.

I suppose I was fairly lucky because I had a long summer holiday being a school teacher and this meant I could spend a good deal of time studying for my ATPLs.......not something I was looking forward to mind you,but needs must.

My first module was Human Performance and Limitations,now to be honest I really enjoyed this as I found it so interesting,I cant really say it was a walk in the park but certainly my easiest exam. The subject that took me the longest to study for was Meteorology,I found it really interesting also(sad really is'nt it) but there was an awful lot of info to cover.

Airlaw and Ops were fine and I had no probs with V Coms and I Coms,once I put the work in.

To be honest I was glad of the facilities here where I could come in and have a lecture everyday and have a study enviornment instead of trying to do it myself at home.If I was asked for just one bit of advice or one tip on doing the ATPL course I would have to say ,try to avail of the in-house study facilities and lectures instead of trying to do it all on your own at a distance.

On a lighter side I have still managed to do some hour building and I had one trip to Abbeyshrule which was really good, I also had a really good trip to the Arran Islands with some friends................certainly takes the edge off studying.

My next planned trip is Sligo but the weather is really silly this august,in fact it feels more like december,so I'm waiting patiently for a good day........probably september now by the looks of things.

Anyway I have had the results of my exams back and delighted to say I passed all 6 with an average of 90%,hard work worth while,my other 7 colleagues have passed all theirs as well.................time for a celebration night I think. I am now half way through my next module which is Aircraft General Knowledge ,Instrumentation and Radio Nav,tough going but fingers crossed.

Thats about it for now and hoprfully next month I will have more good news...........dont forget if you would like to chat about anything or swap any interesting stories or ask me anything ,you can send me an email on the school email info@atlanticair.ie

See you next time...
Dennis

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