Going like a Boeing! (#5) -
Ground school or Self-study?
To be honest, I doubt that I would have been as dedicated as I was if I was attempting self-study. While attending ground school, you work according to a schedule and this gets you into a routine – good for people who can’t stick to a study timetable! After each lecture you can go home and go over that lecture and do the “homework” that was given – much like being back at school (scary comparison!). The notes though, are not completely sufficient – one does have to pay attention in class and make notes. I also feel that the mathematical sections are a lot easier to understand if you have some one explaining it to you – especially if you’re not a math boffin. Self-study notes are extremely good and go quite in depth with the subjects. A lot of additional information is given, but logical, since you have to teach yourself. It is a good idea to try to get hold of these notes – it can only improve and add to your knowledge. It will also help you to brush-up on sections you maybe didn’t fully grasp before. If you like to work in a team, ground school has the added benefit of “group help” – because everyone in the class is on the same section, people can work together. The lecturers are also always willing to help. I am not saying which option is better – it just depends on what type of person you are and, obviously, whether you have the time and money to attend a ground school or not.
Day course or Night course?
The option you choose would firstly have to depend on your schedule. If you work during the day the only option really is the 10-week night course (unless you have a very understanding boss!). The day course is of a shorter duration. I decided on the night course – not because I work but because I am not much of a “study” person and find it especially difficult to study at night. Also, if you’re like me and let temptation get the better of you, when your friends go out for a night on the town, night course will prevent you joining them and you will be able to wake up bright and early the next morning to study! (Sad isn’t it?…). I had also spoken to a number of people about it and the night course just seemed to be the better option. Once again it will depend on you.
The dreaded exams!
I am sure that you have heard many horror stories about the CAA exams. It was probably those horror stories that contributed to 90% of my studying as hard as I did! You will hear of this person failing and that person just not making the 75% pass mark and how there are so many incorrect answers in the CAA’s database and how tricky the questions are and that everyone fails on Mondays (who knows where they came up with that one!), and Navigation? You’ll never pass Nav the first time round – excuse me for saying this, but b*ll! Even I passed Nav first time… and I wrote it on the Monday! I can tell you now that if you are dedicated, if you worked hard and if you believe in yourself you WILL pass the exams. And if you feel that you are not ready – postpone! It’s a lot of money thrown down the drain if you flunk them just because you wanted to get them over with. One is allowed to postpone five working days before your exam, if I’m correct. But make sure you’re not postponing just because of nerves.
I have never been as nervous for an exam as I was on the morning of Monday the 24th of July. I arrived at the CAA at 08:20 – my exam was to start at 09:00. After signing in, I went to look inside the examination room – I said to myself that I would choose computer no.5, as that was my lucky number, not knowing that we were each allocated a computer. After getting the “How to use these computers” tutorial (very complicated and hi-tech stuff: “click on ‘A’ if your answer is ‘A’”…), we got sent to the waiting room where you have the wonderful opportunity of surrounding yourself with more nervous pilots! At 09:00 we went into the exam room, and can you believe it – there on computer no.5 was written “Natalie Garden CPL Navigation”. This was my lucky day. I managed to finish 20 minutes before the 2 hours was up (amazing – as the main reason why a lot of people fail Nav is because they run out of time). I clicked on the QUIT icon and a screen appeared: “Confirm: Are you sure you want to quit?” – I mean, can you imagine the feeling?! Of course I wasn’t sure! I clicked “No” another 3 times, twiddled my thumbs, looked around, tried to work out my marks (so that the shock wouldn’t be too great when I eventually did built up the courage to press “yes”) and clicked “Yes”. I closed my eyes… within a split second the word “Passed” appeared on the screen. I wanted to scream with joy – but realised there were people around. I packed up my things and, with the biggest smile, walked out of the room to get my printout. The days that followed were a lot less nerve wrecking. I wrote and passed Human Performance, Instruments, Flight Planning and Meteorology.
Some of my study techniques
The CPL exams are not easy and you will have to be 100% dedicated to your studies for them. Don’t get me wrong – you CAN still have a life! But the studying should be a priority. Different people of course find that different study methods suit them. I know of folks who wake up early and study until 18:00/19:00 at night, taking short breaks in between. I unfortunately am not one of these people! I worked a timetable out for myself – it was a very “laid-back” timetable, so that I would be able to catch up my studies without a problem if I had to skip a day. And if I was ahead of schedule I felt really proud (shame – the things I do to motivate myself). I also get bored easily and I study one subject for 2 days and then alternate. I do not wake up early! I start studying at around 09:00 and finish up around 15:00, depending on the subject (I would suggest setting aside at least 2 whole days just for Plotting), so my evenings were basically free. A week for each subject should be sufficient, although different subjects require more or less time. Make sure that you understand what you are studying before moving on to the next section.
Exercise is essential while studying – a healthy body leads to a healthy mind. You will be amazed at how much easier it is to study after a 3 or 4 km run! Exercise half an hour a day, 3 times a week (minimum), sufficient to double your resting pulse (a little bit of Human Performance creeping in here). I also find that I start eating a whole lot more while I’m studying – especially sweets and chocolates! The exercise will make you feel better about that too.
Good luck to all of you who are currently studying for and writing your CPL exams, my thoughts are with you. Your thoughts and prayers will be appreciated while I am swotting for my last 3 exams.
HAPPY STUDYING!
Comments? Questions? Email me: ngarden
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