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ATP practical

Old 07-16-2013, 04:32 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by Rosey View Post
For what it's worth, I did my practical at the All ATPs in Arlington (south of Dallas) in May. They came highly recommended by all the guys in my unit who had used them before. The staff there was awesome and they made sure I was ready for the check ride. I've since recommended them to 3 other folks and they've all done well. The staff and examiners have no issues and nothing but respect for the military guys and overall the entire experience was great.
Glad to hear that. Hopefully what I heard was just 1 bad apple.

Originally Posted by HuggyU2 View Post
MikeF16,
Since you probably know folks in the Phoenix area, check with them. There are a few ATP places,... and a ton of Luke pilots getting out that will know the info.

I know a few pilots that have used an ATP school near Luke. Two hated it, one liked it ok,... but no military hatred,... and they all got their ATP knocked out.
Any idea what they didn't like about the school?
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Old 07-16-2013, 04:42 AM
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Another option would be an ATP check in conjunction with an initial program. If you have a centerline thrust restriction and no type ratings, it might be a somewhat pricy, but perhaps better option. 1 flight practice and 1 flight check programs have always seemed shady.
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Old 07-16-2013, 06:10 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by FlyFastLiveSlow View Post
Another option would be an ATP check in conjunction with an initial program. If you have a centerline thrust restriction and no type ratings, it might be a somewhat pricy, but perhaps better option. 1 flight practice and 1 flight check programs have always seemed shady.
I've heard rave reviews about Higher Power out of Dallas; however, as you mentioned type ratings are very pricey, plus 2 weeks of hotel, plus 2 weeks of leave. It would be great to get my 737 type but SW probably isn't going to be hiring when I need a job and I'll just do sim prep prior to a UA interview for a lot less than the type.
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Old 07-16-2013, 06:33 AM
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Mike, I went to the school in the PHX area. Sent you a PM. It's the same school Huggy is referencing. The thing people don't like is that you don't learn much and the airplane he uses isn't always reliable. Either way you're getting an ATP in 2.5 days for under 3 grand. In reality that is all a lot of people want anyway. I cannot imagine an ATP course being any easier. I have at least 8 friends from the same unit that went there as well and all were happy. It's not top notch but it'll meet your goal with no prep and little pain. It's about 8 hours of academics, one prep flight and a checkride. Started on a Friday morning and was on the road home by lunch Sunday.
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Old 07-16-2013, 06:35 AM
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The Eglin Aero Club has a C-310 and a DE on site that gives ATPs. I did mine there. It cost me about the same as the ATP flight school's advertised price, and I had no C-310 time and very little light twin time when I started. The DE's fee was $500. It took me four prep flights in the C-310 plus the checkride. The checkride wasn't cake by any means, but it was fair and there were no surprises. The DE is a good guy and a military advocate.

Also, I read on Sheppard Air's website that active duty can take FAA writtens at Hurlburt for free, but I have not tried that.
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Old 07-16-2013, 06:42 AM
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If you can use your GI Bill at Higher Power, the price is easier to swallow. They are a first class program with GREAT customer service and personality. The type rating shows the ability to complete a civilian training program even if you don't have interest in SWA. I highly recommend them if you want to feel a little more sure about an airplane than the standard "one and a check" ATP.
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Old 07-16-2013, 07:14 AM
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I didn't encounter any anti-military bias when I completed my ATP last year at AllATP (Craig, Jacksonville, FL). Mine was with ES, it was a VERY thorough check ride, but fair. What I basically expected that process to entail. Sad to hear that there are people encountering DEs with an anti-military bias. Though I guess if I encountered that in the brief from the examiner, I would stop the process right there, and work to get another examiner.
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Old 07-16-2013, 09:32 AM
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Everyone's different, and everyone has a budget...but part of the stress of the ATP may be trying to get it with 2-5 hours in a light twin. Has anyone considered maybe getting 10-15 hours in the plane instead, perhaps with a partner and going on a X-C to Key West, the Bahamas, a nice ski destination, or similar?

Cramming for finals in college sucked. Cramming for a checkride isn't any more fun. Nobody says you HAVE to try to get an ATP in 2-3 days at a crash course. If you spread the training over a month, included some friends or family, it might even be a fun and enjoyable intro to GA.

I got mine 1994 in Vegas. I flew in after a TDY, and made a weekend of it. I have planned to fly 2-3 hours a day for 3 days...not a grueling pace and with enough time to enjoy the Vegas nightlife when I was done. Unfortunately, the student in front of me busted, which meant he needed extra time, and I ended up flying 4-5 hours Saturday and about that many Sunday. so--I did sort of have to cram. Looking back, I would have enjoyed the process a lot more, and maybe even saved money (not flying fatigued...) if I had done it locally where I was based in AK and nibbled at it for a month.

Again, I understand that most guys want to just "check the box" and get it done. That said, I know very few guys who do it that way that say "yeah...that was a good time". Now that I am an airline pilot, I understand there is a always a good deal somewhere.... I'd make the training fun if there was any way to do it.
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Old 07-16-2013, 09:47 AM
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ATP in Ft Lauderdale was good (as of a year ago). The IP & a/c were OK, the syllabus and ck-list flow are pretty tight, and the DPE was a *****cat. BUT - do your written thru Sheppard Air. I did mine at ATP and Shep is MUCH better prep (done two other tests with them with a 99 on each).
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Old 07-16-2013, 09:48 AM
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Mike--
Great advice from all. I also used the local Phoenix program...super nice guy and pretty painless. I studied the night prior to my check (settings, profile, etc) and really had no problem. If I had time, I would've used Albie's approach (always great advice there, btw), but I did not. FWIW, I do not think the type rating will get you anywhere anytime soon. SWA will likely start up next year, but I suspect you're looking somewhat sooner. Besides, should you get an SWA option, the type is part of the 'agreement' anyway and it is something you can certainly add later.
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