ATP flight School, any current students opinions?
 

Considering to enter their CP programm, though would be interested in students experience of that particular school. Any location better then others.

Thanks
au

www.atpflightschool.com

Atp
 

I went to ATP and I am currently instructing there. I went to the ATL location and did the 90 day program. It was certainly worth the money, it doesn't cost a cent more, and you get exactly what you pay for. If you are not working right now, I would do the 90 day program. It also depends on where you live know. You can go to any location and get it done fairly quickly. At some locations, the instructors have to do both career pilots and add-ons. At the 90 day locations, you have 90 day instructors, and add-on instructors. I had a blast in ATL because there is alot to do when you have free time. It was also the closest 90 day location to me. I wouldn't drive all the way across the country to go to a location.

Good choice! Any specific questions??

Whats the pay like for ATP CFIs? Is it almost all multi-time? What is the phone screening like for someone who has their PPL and wants to take the career pilot program?

Easy to get a CFI job with them?


Thanks,
LA

ATP CFIs
 

LA, the pay that we recieve is CFI pay, not much. We get paid a base salary of $1000.00/month, or $800.00/month if you live in a fully furnished apartment that ATP rents from a local apartment complex. You also recieve bonuses for checkrides that your students pass on their first attempt. That bonus is either $100 or $40, it depends on the type of checkride. Depending on the location, it could be all multi or a combination of both, mostly multi. It is easy to get a job following your career pilot program as long as you haven't failed to many checkrides, espicially your instrument and CFI checks. The good thing about salary is that if you have a slow month and do not fly much, you still get paid. And if you are really busy, you can make pretty good money because of the checkride bonuses.

Thanks...Sounds like you really have to go out of your way to fail...With the bonus and instructors pushing to help you pass on the first time...My guess is the students spending mom&dad's money and not taking the thing seriously are the ones who bust the checkrides...

-LA

The instructors always will give you good instruction, don't get me wrong, but plenty of people bust checkrides. The examiner doesn't care about your bonus. They care about making sure that person is a good and safe pilot. Everyone has some type of nerves before or during a checkride where they could make a stupid mistake and get a pinkslip, but that doesn't mean that they are a bad pilot. For the most part, all students go out of their way to excel no matter how they are paying for the program. Pinkslips are something that you try to keep off of your record. Plus, you are already paying the examiner at least $300.00, if you bust, you have to pay him more money to recheck. The people who don't take it seriously don't have the drive to complete, and would probably never make it in the industry anyway.

CTD -

If you don't mind me asking:

How much (Total) did you end up paying to ATP?
How did you pay for it?
How did you pay for your living costs?
Where did you live (Are you local?)

Thanks!

F15AvionicsTech
 

[QUOTE=F15AvionicsTech]CTD -

If you don't mind me asking:

How much (Total) did you end up paying to ATP?
How did you pay for it?
How did you pay for your living costs?
Where did you live (Are you local?)

Thanks![/QUOT

The total cost of my training was $37,995 but the cost has gone up to $44,995 due to high fuel prices. Examiner fees are not included in that. You will spend at least $2100.00 on examiner fees. Figure at least $300.00/checkride and you have 7 of them. Some examiners are more. My parents loaned me the money so that I wouldn't have to pay interest on loans. But, ATP helps out with all of that. They have a financial specialist who helps you get student loans which can be deferred. That is how the majority of people pay for the school. There are no living costs if you attend the 90 day program. They supply a fully furnished apartment from a local apartment complex from whom they rent it from. I did the 90 day program in ATL(a great place to go). The complex there has a pool, tennis court, and gym. It is also a gated community, it is about 5-10 min. from the airport. The only thing you pay for is food. I was living in Greensboro, NC at the time that I attended ATP. I picked ATL because I had gotten out of active duty with the Navy and was not working, so the 90 day program was the most effiecient way to get everything accomplished and start making money instead of paying. There are over 25 cities in which ATP has locations. If I am not mistaken 8 of them offer the 90 day program, they are Atlanta, Jacksonville, FL, Manasass, VA, Stuart, FL, Dallas, Pheonix, Riverside, CA, and Sacromento, CA. Post any other questions.

Did you have your PPL before starting? If so, what was their phone interview like. Are they trying to 'stump the dummy' so they can get more money out of you or are the legit...By legit - you pay, you work you butt off and you'll leave with your ratings and the chance to CFI for them to build time...

It seems the time building part is the most important after the rating are done...If you don't get to the right place (FBO / school) you can waste away trying to get the hours...

I'd rather go thru a school that has fixed costs and has options for students to build time (i'm flexible on location w/ ATP on CFI positions...)...

Thanks for your info...Other have all said the same - ATPs sounds like a good deal for training.

-LA