Depending on your situation, ATP isn't a rip off. It just might not be the right choice for some people. People tend to rip on them quick because of the price tag up front. That being said, I DO recommend getting your private at an FBO and enjoy flying for a while if you can. The big schools like ATP won't give you any solo time outside of that required for your private. I went to ATP for the rest of my ratings but I took my time getting my private first. It did however take me 4 years to get that private ticket thanks to having to work a job and flying whenever I had the chance. Also cost me a heck of a lot more money than if I was able to buckle down. You sound like you're having trouble keeping a schedule, albeit though the flight schools fault or your own schedule. Get your private, then weigh your options carefully. Weight the pros and cons of both, and NOT JUST THE FINANCIAL AMOUNT.

ex. Some of the Pro's of ATP : You get your ratings done quicker (you still have to pass the same FAA test), all you do is focus on flying. There will always be a plane for you to fly. The planes are well maintained. There will always be an instructor there to help you out. You can use their flight training devices whenever you feel like it and you don't pay anymore to do it. The amount of multi time you receive. You will fly often, usually daily. The price you locked in at is the price you will pay, regardless of fuel changes (This is a shaky pro, seeing as I'm pretty sure they won't take a loss either way).

Some of the Cons: The instructors are young and do not have years of experience. They will teach you to fly and pass your test, but there is so much more to flying. You can only fly where they tell you to fly. There is a strict accelerated timeline to follow. If you fall behind, you will be kicked out. (they will refund money based on your stage, but sometimes the amount will not seem quite fair). Most of the study is self-study, no structured ground classes (Part 61). Need to have a loan approved up front.

Pro's of an FBO : You may find an instructor who is vastly experienced and is instructing just to teach (rather than build time). You will learn things about flying that are outside of the PTS standards. You can pay as you go. You can work around your own schedule. You can solo the planes a lot more often and go where YOU want to go. You can get more structured ground training and have a more personable experience. You MAY pay less money if you are able to focus on your flying (and if the flight school doesn't close overnight and steal your logbook.)

Con's : Depending on where you are, you may be flying planes that are much much older than you with maintenance problems. The FBO may have a very small fleet and rent out the same airplanes you train in leaving you without planes from time to time. You will probably only fly 2-3 times per week for an hour at a time. Your one instructor may have several students making him unavailable. The prices will fluctuate as fuel fluctuates


The choice is yours, this list was based off of my experience. I went to ATP for the rest of my ratings because as I left my one career (military) it was better for me to take a loan and focus just on flying rather than try to get another job and piece-meal my ratings together every spare chance I got.

I hope this helps you get a better picture rather than someone just saying that a school is a rip-off.

~Wild