WEEK ZERO
I’ve titled this entry as such because, even though I haven’t “officially” started as a student at ATP, I’ve done a lot of preliminary work getting ready for the program. I’ll detail most of that below.
Ground School
The Ground School portion of the program is all computer based self-study. The sections are broken down in to “Training & Safety Bulletins,” “Intro To Instruments,” “Private,” “Instrument,” “Crew,” and “CFI.” There are no modules for the Multi-Engine rating. Most modules have a quiz at the end that must be passed with an 80% or better score in order to be recorded as complete. If you don’t pass a quiz, you can retake it at any time to better your score.
Prior to your start date, you must have the “Training & Safety Bulletins” section complete. There are only nine modules in this section and pertain to basic safety and policy regarding ATP operations. You can print these bulletins out and refer to them during your quiz. As I am entering the program with my Private Pilot Certificate, the “Private” portion is not required, though it was recommended that I complete it anyway prior to starting as a review. Considering that my last logged flight before my Intro Flight was in April of 2006, this was more than just “a good idea.” I’ve completed this portion and the review was very, very helpful.
Each lesson in the Course Outline (available via Student Extranet once you’ve paid your deposit) will not only include information on that particular lesson, but also list what self-study materials must be completed and what areas one should begin working through prior to the lesson. Going into Week One, the first lesson on my outline is SE XC PIC (20hrs/12 days). This is the cross-country time building phase of the 40hr ME track and will also be my initial instrument training. Prior to beginning this lesson, I’m required to have the “Intro To Instruments” section complete and I’m to have begun work on a few modules in the “Instruments” section. Personally, I have all of these (except “Instruments”) completed. Once completed, though, you can still go back and review a module if needed.
Uniforms
The cost of the program includes uniforms. Three shirts (polo/golf style) are provided via a discount code to be used at the ATP Gear online store, which you should receive via email at least a week prior to your selected start date. I received my code nearly two weeks prior to my date. You can select other accessories, including additional uniform shirts, but you will have to pay for them out of pocket. In my case, I ordered a couple of extra shirts, a few T-Shirts, and a hat. I found all the items reasonably priced. There are no pilot supplies available. Shipping is free if you select to have them sent to your training location. I selected this option and I’ll be picking those items up on my first day of training.
Uniform policy is very strait forward. Officially, you’ll wear the ATP shirt and “chinos” for all training events. Implementation of this policy appears to vary depending upon training location. At the Denver location, it seems that any reasonable style of pants is acceptable. I could probably wear denim jeans, for example, provided that they are free of stains, rips, holes, etc. I plan on wearing black cargo pants. The basic idea is to look like you take pride in your appearance.
Schedule
Part of the sales package ATP prides itself on is the predetermined schedule and pricing. Once you pay the deposit and set a start date, you have a Course Outline which details when your lessons will take place. As an outline, it doesn’t include reporting times and such. It apparently doesn’t take into account school recognized holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day) either. For example, the Holiday Schedule states that no training events will be scheduled on the 22nd through the 27th of December. However, on my outline, my SE XC PIC flying is schedule through the 23rd and I have a simulator lessons scheduled on the 26th and 27th.
Keep in mind that this is an outline, it’s not written in stone. As I write this, the only event that is actually scheduled is the Check-In process on my start date. I fully expect the dates on my Outline to change as I proceed through the program to account for weather and equipment delays, in addition to the adjustment for Christmas. I’m pretty sure my Instructor wants to go home for Christmas too.
Financing
I’ve spoken with the financing department staff. Although my loan was approved and certified long ago, the department touches base with students prior to their start date to make sure everything is still set to go. In my case, I borrowed way more than needed for the program. While this is common, since I initially selected the 100hr program and then “downgraded” to the 40hr program, I had a lot more "extra money" than was anticipated when ATP certified my loan. Any funds that are in excess of the funds charged to the lender for the program are kicked back to the student in the form of a check. Since I had a lot of “extra funds,” the financing folks initially didn’t want to be kicking back that much money to me.
The options I was given was to either have the loan re-certified for a lower amount or provide them a written statement that justified why I was borrowing so much for the program. I provided the statement, justifying the extra money as needed for living expenses. Since I signed a 13-month lease, I’ve projected my rent out that far and have based my budget on that, not what I need for the duration of the six-month training program. I’ve spoken with the financial folks at ATP and we are moving forward with my original loan amount.
Payments for the program are made in installments, four in total, starting with the first on the student’s selected start date. Subsequent disbursements are made once a month after that. Checks for excess funds from each disbursement are generated the following Thursday and sent to the relevant training center for pick up by the student.
The adventure begins Monday.