sadietp

Looking into flight schools once I get my PPL. Any recommendations for Southern California Flight Schools? I've heard mixed reviews about ATP but I feel that would be my best option to earn all my ratings. I would like to eventually fly corporate jets.

Any information about ATP or other flight schools would be helpful. I have seen reviews about ATP but most of them are not from 2017.

headcase

Please don't give ATP your money.
They are an excellent place to get failed checkrides on your flying record.
I am not in southern California, but there must be plenty of options.

Plus, ATP pretty much centers around the regional airlines. If you want to fly corporate you are better off spending your flight training time around FBO's networking and meeting people in corporate aviation.

aa010175

Don't use a unapproved school and that includes ATP. Your biggest problems is passing check rides the first time. As a airline pilot I made the mistake of sending my son to ATP. It's a fire hose approach. That's ok but they have no checks and balances. The Cheif Pilot or season pilot never checked out my son before he was sent on these check rides. So you have a new CFI sending students to check rides. The CFI are being pushed to move the students thru the program because the CP on them. Now your other problem is they use DPE at $700. per ride. So if you bust they see you the next day with $700 more and you past. Guess what my son busted 5 check ride and that's now on his FAA records for ever! If you go to 141 school that has a DPE on staff you have stage checks with a season CFI. If you were to go on a check ride and you messed something up the ride turns into a stage check and is not on your FAA records. ATP is so bad in San Diego that they won't use a San Diego DPE. They send the student to LA. I know others will jump in here and say they're great and my son just was bad. No so! I have been around flying for 40 years. I have 2500 hours as a CFII ME.

Subieguy14

I really enjoyed my time at ATP honestly. I have heard horror stories but it really seems to vary on location. I am at the LZU location and it is amazing, great instructors and amazing management.

I had 0 hours November 8th last year, I now have my PPL, instrument, CMEL and about to take my CSEL and go to CFI school. It is a firehose to the face, I was worried about that at first, but if i can do it, you can do it.

The checkride failure rate depends on the location honestly.

Here is my friends youtube channel for his experience there.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYX...OAV3QIXH6i0WNg

SMACFUM

Hahahaha, Really?!?! Great Management? Wow, so I'm willing to make a bet you've never actually met any of the real management down in JAX or Ponte Vedra? or else I promise you wouldn't be saying that.

Seeing as how you haven't started CFI school yet, I'll give you a piece of advice. Brace yourself. Hard. God help you especially if you're doing it at CRG. ES, and RT. That's all I'll say. Good Luck.

I hope you're not planning on working for them once you're done. Because again, god help you. I promise you will be rethinking your "amazing managment" opinion after about one week in Ponte Vedra answering phones, and after your first "stands" flight. It's all rainbows and unicorns until you become an ATP employee.......Oh, wait.....that's right, you're never an ATP employee. You're a 1099 "independent contractor" paying your own payroll/self employment taxes in flagrant violation of IRS regulations, and state labor laws. Have fun with that. That is, of course you make it through their joke of "standardization" program.

Ask me how I know...........

There is a reason why ATP is constantly trashed on these forms, and not only by wash-out, wanna-be airline pilots. But by people (like me) who have been through the program, and are currently working in the airline industry as professional pilots. There is the correct approach to flight training, and running a flight school.......and then there is the ATP way.

Jingles

No experience there but long beach flying club is a 141 school, and on the cheaper end too.

FlyingStormie

Oh boy, here we go again. ATP is not evil incarnate nor is it the gold standard by which all flight schools should be held.

The link SubieGuy posted is a good place to start. ATP is going to require 100% of your time and effort. It works for some people, it doesn't work for others. They offer a certain product and you have to fit that product, even though there is some limited flexibility to suit individual needs.

Tour the locations near you. If "something" seems off when you meet the local ATP folks, then trust your instincts and take your business elsewhere. The same goes for any flight training organization.

As far as money goes, FBOs and flying clubs will probably be less expensive. However, financing may be more difficult. I use "probably" and "may" because these matters can vary widely depending upon personal aptitude for flight, credit score, debt tolerance, personal financial accounts, etc. Bottom line, you'll be spending a lot of money no matter where you go for training.

Subieguy14

The "great management" part was about my location (LZU) only. I have heard plenty of stuff about the Florida locations and i am dreading the stands.... I am starting CFI school at the LZU location. I do plan on instructing for them for a little bit i guess, until i get something else figured out. I honestly have had a great time so far though.

aa010175

To continue on! My son did the CFII ME at ATP and passed the first time on all. He went on to flight instruct (not at ATP) for 600 hours. At 800 he got a Lear job and a type rating at Flight Safety on the Lear at the first go around. After 5 months and 100 hours in the Lear he had to quit and go back to CFI for the remainder of 1500 TT. He is now working for a commuter and wrote a 96 on his ATP writing. Typed now at the commuter and has his ATP rating. What I am getting at is he is no dummy and should have had better instructing at ATP and he would not have busted so many time. The first bust he had was with his private oral on the third question. Really!! The third!! Next day and $700 later this 70 year old LAX DPE passed him!! Do you get what I am saying. ATP sucks and the DPE sucks! I been around 40 years and (35,000 hours and typed in 5 aircraft at a major) found this to be a ripoff. Dave

Subieguy14

I completely agree with you. There are some really bad instructors however, like i said above, It really depends on location. Lots of Delta pilots here in Georgia send their kids to ATP here and they are all doing great.