ALCON:

Day 1 at Downtown Aviation in the books -- weather rolled thru to keep me from my check ride. That will be done tomorrow.

** Want to stress that if you want a "show up with a bottle" type ATP, this isn't the place. Everything is fair commensurate with your experience.

1. 1 hr ground instruction with the IP. Very laid back, big picture. Briefed everything EXACTLY from my gouge packet plus some additional information. i thought it was spot on for what I needed to know to fly.

2. Flight (w/ IP) -- the BE-76 is a bit old and a few items didn't work which made the crosscheck extremely challenging. In the end, flew the check ride profile -- 95% of it under the hood.

3. Ground Eval (w/ IP) -- pretty thorough -- younger CFI kid but was well prepared and very eager to teach.

4. Ground Exam with Examiner (Dr. Ray) -- very "big boy" program - lasted about 45 minutes then we just B.S.'d the rest of the time -- very laid back. He asked me about my ATP written score -- if I went thru Sheppard Air -- and if I had any current topic/discussion to talk about. Covered everything my IP went over then basically played stump the dummy….he won. This was very low key and very laid back. I thought it was more than ample….

Flight is tomorrow -- for those who are considering this place, I would sign up TODAY then cancel if you find something better. From what they told me, the plane is booked thru the beginning of April with 80% military guys.