New hire tips/tricks/suggestions
 

Hey all! Recently received an offer for a first officer position. Looking at an ATP checkride program in a light twin starting early next month following up with 747 training starting the end of January. I’m looking for advice to help me be successful over the next few months, especially being my first type rating and 121 experience.

Does anybody know what twin they use for the ATP so I can study up ahead of time?

I know Atlas operates a few different variants of the 747. Does the class and subsequent type rating cover the -4, -8, and DL or are you selected in training for a specific model or operation (cargo vs passenger)?

I know Atlas says training is 3 months long, does that include the atp rating I have to do or would that be additional? Did you get any breaks or should I plan to be in Miami for 3-4 months straight?

Does Atlas share any study material ahead of training? I see there are online courses that cover systems and was thinking of purchasing one of those but am concerned I won’t learn the “Atlas way”. What have you all done to prepare for training?

Thanks all for the help!

Crazy, this was you 3 months ago and now a 747. I don’t work for Atlas, but plenty here do/have and can help out. Congrats and good luck.

I can’t believe it either! I didn’t request it but I think they had a slot to fill and my schedule was flexible enough to make it happen

Congratulations on the job offer. You have a strep learning curve ahead of you, but it can be done.

747 = One Type. You will do differences training in the Sim. Fly them all on the line.

Training: I can't speak to the ATP /CTP course other than to say your Seniority number is assigned afterwards on day one of Indoc. Focus on the ATP first. Avoid outside training material. Study Atlas material and Atlas procedures.

CPATs, computer based learning. You will have access to AtlasU before you start. You will probably be told you don't have to do the classes ahead of time.... But Do Them! As many as you can. Take notes on the systems classes. A lot probably won't make any sense, but the more times you hear the material and see the diagrams the better.

INDOC. You will have a lot to do the first week. Finishing up CPATs, HR Videos, Evening reading in the FOM (Flight Ops Manual). By the first weekend you things will slow down and you can begin to study your limitations and flows out of the FCOM1. Waiting until your first SIT (Systems Integration Trainer) or FBS (Fixed Base Sim) to open the FCOM1 is way, way, way to late.

Group Study = Cooperate to Graduate. 60 to 90 minute sessions with 3-5 classmates every afternoon pays dividends. (5+ leads to distractions, side conversations, and getting off topic). Go it alone, and you will struggle. Change up the groups too, don't always study with the same people.

Pre Study. Practice upcoming sims in your room and with your sim partner before hand. Look up the maneuvers and non normal procedures in the QRH. Sitting in the Sim should not be the first time you read through a checklist procedure. You know what's coming up, so rehearse.

10 minute reviews. Review Systems and flows again in the morning and right before bed.

Grab a little dry erase board and write down procedures, then erase and quiz yourself.

Build a mock flight deck in your room to practice flows.

Passing training is your number one priority, but get out of the hotel everyone once in a while. An occasional afternoon on south beach, dinner in Coral Gabels, or a class trip to a Heat game will do wonders.

Finally, talk with one of your classmates or the previous class about a 121 type ride, the maneuver sequence, and how your seat support works. The first time you fly it will be on the type ride and it can be surprising.

This isn't CAE or Flight Safety where you train to the checkride. You see one maneuver or system failure once or twice, then move on to the next.

Good Luck.

Congratulations. Did you receive a job offer without ATP-CTP? I'm quite curious about a similar situation.
After the assignment of the aircraft, is it correct that the determination of ATP-CTP TYPE RATING occurs?
If so, I'm wondering if you receive a salary during the ATP-CTP training period.
After completing all the processes, for example, from the moment of assignment to the 747,
is the salary for the second year determined one year later, or
is it set based on the hiring point, with the second-year salary stage being established one year after that?

Your pay will start on the first day of Atlas Basic Indoc not during the ATP/CTP course. Longevity/yearly pay increases are based on the day you start Basic Indoc.

First of all….congratulations!
Second…a friendly warning.
Atlas training has gotten better but is still more geared towards horizontal hiring rather than vertical. Horizontal meaning the candidate has similar experience having worked for a similar company. Vertical meaning…well..you.
We’ve had guys successful right out of a KingAir into a 74.
Others not so much.
Treat this as ‘failure is not an option’
Buy 747-400 cockpit posters like right now.
Finish all the CBT’s that are not locked out prior to day one.
Find any and all 747 systems vids on YouTube.
Don’t memorize but become very familiar.
When you’re done with CBT’s redo them again and again.
Any chance you can still do your ATP at the flightschool in a familiar airplane in familiar airspace?
Plan on immersion therapy and no social life the next 6 months.
You have so much to learn including talking on the radio using standard ICAO Phraseology and not the jive turkey even controllers use in the US.

I appreciate all the advice and will remember your suggestions over the next couple of grueling months! Plan is to take it one step at a time like you said and focus on getting the ATP done first.

I had the CTP and written completed prior to applying

Thanks! I’m slowly wading through the mountains of paperwork sent my way but haven’t received access to the CBT’s yet but will take your advice and jump on them once I can.

I wasn’t sure which materials and posters to get since Atlas has the different variants so you suggest getting the -400 versions?

I don’t have access to a twin at my flight school but was debating on squeezing in the ATP at home. I was waiting to hear back on the details of the ATP program before I made a decisions.