ATP Flight School Location/100 Hour ME
08-05-2017, 12:49 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2016
Posts: 146
ATP Flight School Location/100 Hour ME
I'm considering ATP for a flight school to get to Envoy Air eventually.
A few questions for ATP past, present, and future students as well as Envoy pilots that are both graduates and non graduates of ATP.
I will be going in with my PPL and the 80 hours already. Starting w/ Private Credit.
I'm considering the 100 hour multi engine track. More expensive but seems worth it. Any opinions on the 100 vs. 40 hour multi? Why?
I'm looking at Houston at DWH or Dallas at GKY. Is one better than the other? Which do you recommend and why?
How's the fleet at these locations? Maintenance issues are rare?
How often does Envoy visit these locations? On site interviews?
(Obviously things will change by time I pick an airline so I may be choosing a different airline by then.)
Costs. Did you pay exactly as quoted? More? Less?
What other costs? What got costs down?
Financing. Who did you finance with? Any tips?
Timeline. How long did it take you to complete training? How long until you got the 1,500 hours of TT?
Did the CFI job pay well? Were you impressed by the benefits? Did they keep you busy to get you to 1,500 soon?
How does tuition reimbursement work?
Does tuition reimbursement cut into the sign on bonus?
Housing as a student. Did you take student housing? Cost? Dual or single occupancy? Would you recommend getting my own housing? If so where at?
Housing as a CFI. What do they provide for CFI housing? Costs? Dual or single occupancy? Do you recommend my own housing and if so where?
iPad. What iPad did you use? Gigs? Size?
iPad tips? Kneeboard? Apps? EFB accessories?
Flight bag? Which did you use?
Crew cross country. Can someone explain how it works?
Do they provide per diem and hotels?
Can future students take tours of the campuses? If so...how?
These questions aren't in any specific order. Please help me out. I've read all over the website but I'm curious what people actually did in the program. Tell me your experiences. Your tips. Your ideas. I appreciate the help.
A few questions for ATP past, present, and future students as well as Envoy pilots that are both graduates and non graduates of ATP.
I will be going in with my PPL and the 80 hours already. Starting w/ Private Credit.
I'm considering the 100 hour multi engine track. More expensive but seems worth it. Any opinions on the 100 vs. 40 hour multi? Why?
I'm looking at Houston at DWH or Dallas at GKY. Is one better than the other? Which do you recommend and why?
How's the fleet at these locations? Maintenance issues are rare?
How often does Envoy visit these locations? On site interviews?
(Obviously things will change by time I pick an airline so I may be choosing a different airline by then.)
Costs. Did you pay exactly as quoted? More? Less?
What other costs? What got costs down?
Financing. Who did you finance with? Any tips?
Timeline. How long did it take you to complete training? How long until you got the 1,500 hours of TT?
Did the CFI job pay well? Were you impressed by the benefits? Did they keep you busy to get you to 1,500 soon?
How does tuition reimbursement work?
Does tuition reimbursement cut into the sign on bonus?
Housing as a student. Did you take student housing? Cost? Dual or single occupancy? Would you recommend getting my own housing? If so where at?
Housing as a CFI. What do they provide for CFI housing? Costs? Dual or single occupancy? Do you recommend my own housing and if so where?
iPad. What iPad did you use? Gigs? Size?
iPad tips? Kneeboard? Apps? EFB accessories?
Flight bag? Which did you use?
Crew cross country. Can someone explain how it works?
Do they provide per diem and hotels?
Can future students take tours of the campuses? If so...how?
These questions aren't in any specific order. Please help me out. I've read all over the website but I'm curious what people actually did in the program. Tell me your experiences. Your tips. Your ideas. I appreciate the help.
08-05-2017, 03:43 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2013
Posts: 445
I can only answer for the Houston location, but I asked them many of the same questions when I was there on my tour of the facility...
The fleet is newer Archers and Seminoles, all were Glass except for one of each. They have a full time A&P on staff that handles all work for the school.
They have visits by recruiters every 3 or 4 weeks. The visiting airlines done follow any kind of schedule, so it is hard to say how often Envoy would be there.
The Chief Instructor was upfront about the fact that you will more than likely spend more than you expected. Many need more hours than planned for prep prior to a check ride. Also check ride costs are not included in what you pay to ATP, so this alone will be several thousand dollars.
The ATP financing is with the two companies listed on their website. They seemed to push quite hard for me to apply for financing while I was there, so I assume there is some form of kickback to ATP as a referral fee. They did tell me that if going with an outside financing method the payments to ATP can be spread out and will not need to be paid up front.
Timeline for smaller schools like Houston can often be as advertised due to the lower utilization of the aircraft and instructors meaning more availability to fly, however weather delays are always possible. For staying as a CFI to reach 1500 it can be a little weird. You will not necessarily be able to instruct at the facility you want to be at. They will give you a list of locations requiring CFI's and let you pick. Also, note that some of the smaller locations may not have you flying as much as you might like. At Houston each instructor currently only has 2 students. This also affects your pay as you get a higher rate for flying more hours.
Tuition reimbursement is paid directly to your account if using their finance. It is paid to you if using outside finance.
Housing at Houston was 200 per week for duel occupancy, although I was told that often you have the apartments without a room-mate. I didnt look into this too much as I have a family and would not be using it.
They were pretty open with ipad requirements. They all appeared to use mini's at Houston. A foreflight subscription is required (paid by the student)
Cross-country is arranged by ATP. You call in the morning and will receive your route for the day. ATP will arrange all hotels etc.
Yes tours are possible, I included contact details in the other thread.
This info is current for Houston within the last few weeks.
The fleet is newer Archers and Seminoles, all were Glass except for one of each. They have a full time A&P on staff that handles all work for the school.
They have visits by recruiters every 3 or 4 weeks. The visiting airlines done follow any kind of schedule, so it is hard to say how often Envoy would be there.
The Chief Instructor was upfront about the fact that you will more than likely spend more than you expected. Many need more hours than planned for prep prior to a check ride. Also check ride costs are not included in what you pay to ATP, so this alone will be several thousand dollars.
The ATP financing is with the two companies listed on their website. They seemed to push quite hard for me to apply for financing while I was there, so I assume there is some form of kickback to ATP as a referral fee. They did tell me that if going with an outside financing method the payments to ATP can be spread out and will not need to be paid up front.
Timeline for smaller schools like Houston can often be as advertised due to the lower utilization of the aircraft and instructors meaning more availability to fly, however weather delays are always possible. For staying as a CFI to reach 1500 it can be a little weird. You will not necessarily be able to instruct at the facility you want to be at. They will give you a list of locations requiring CFI's and let you pick. Also, note that some of the smaller locations may not have you flying as much as you might like. At Houston each instructor currently only has 2 students. This also affects your pay as you get a higher rate for flying more hours.
Tuition reimbursement is paid directly to your account if using their finance. It is paid to you if using outside finance.
Housing at Houston was 200 per week for duel occupancy, although I was told that often you have the apartments without a room-mate. I didnt look into this too much as I have a family and would not be using it.
They were pretty open with ipad requirements. They all appeared to use mini's at Houston. A foreflight subscription is required (paid by the student)
Cross-country is arranged by ATP. You call in the morning and will receive your route for the day. ATP will arrange all hotels etc.
Yes tours are possible, I included contact details in the other thread.
This info is current for Houston within the last few weeks.
08-05-2017, 04:54 PM
#4
Line Holder
Joined APC: Oct 2015
Posts: 79
Do the 40ME track. It's far less expensive and if you stay on with ATP as a CFI, you'll be getting paid to build multi time.
Financing: they probably get a referral fee of some sort, but there is also the high likelihood that they've established those relationships so that the money flows with as little surprises as possible. You can finance with anyone that will loan to you, though. Regardless of your financial arrangements, the full cost of the program is paid in four installments. Yes, they will refund any unused money on your account should you withdraw early. I know from personal experience.
You'll need a cosigner for the loan most likely. Choose wisely. I had a score in the low 700s and my cosigner had a score in the mid 800s and Wells Fargo said nope, despite my cosigner and I having accounts at Wells Fargo for the past 20 years. Sallie Mae approved my application within 24hrs.
Plan for the worst, hope for the best post training. Assume you'll only get the "min guarantee" as a ATP CFI and plan accordingly. Learn to love Ramen.
I run an iPad Mini 4 with ForeFlight and like it. The iPad, though, runs hot. I bought an X-Naut cooling system for it and with the optional strap, I can use it as a kneeboard. I find that I'm always bumping it with the yoke, though, so I might have to investigate other mounting options. Website: https://x-naut.com/
As for storage size, get the 128gig version. I think ATP requires the Cellular capable version for the integral GPS, but you don't need an active data plan to use the GPS.
Financing: they probably get a referral fee of some sort, but there is also the high likelihood that they've established those relationships so that the money flows with as little surprises as possible. You can finance with anyone that will loan to you, though. Regardless of your financial arrangements, the full cost of the program is paid in four installments. Yes, they will refund any unused money on your account should you withdraw early. I know from personal experience.
You'll need a cosigner for the loan most likely. Choose wisely. I had a score in the low 700s and my cosigner had a score in the mid 800s and Wells Fargo said nope, despite my cosigner and I having accounts at Wells Fargo for the past 20 years. Sallie Mae approved my application within 24hrs.
Plan for the worst, hope for the best post training. Assume you'll only get the "min guarantee" as a ATP CFI and plan accordingly. Learn to love Ramen.
I run an iPad Mini 4 with ForeFlight and like it. The iPad, though, runs hot. I bought an X-Naut cooling system for it and with the optional strap, I can use it as a kneeboard. I find that I'm always bumping it with the yoke, though, so I might have to investigate other mounting options. Website: https://x-naut.com/
As for storage size, get the 128gig version. I think ATP requires the Cellular capable version for the integral GPS, but you don't need an active data plan to use the GPS.
08-07-2017, 10:21 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2016
Posts: 146
Originally Posted by deftone
I can only answer for the Houston location, but I asked them many of the same questions when I was there on my tour of the facility...
The fleet is newer Archers and Seminoles, all were Glass except for one of each. They have a full time A&P on staff that handles all work for the school.
They have visits by recruiters every 3 or 4 weeks. The visiting airlines done follow any kind of schedule, so it is hard to say how often Envoy would be there.
The Chief Instructor was upfront about the fact that you will more than likely spend more than you expected. Many need more hours than planned for prep prior to a check ride. Also check ride costs are not included in what you pay to ATP, so this alone will be several thousand dollars.
The ATP financing is with the two companies listed on their website. They seemed to push quite hard for me to apply for financing while I was there, so I assume there is some form of kickback to ATP as a referral fee. They did tell me that if going with an outside financing method the payments to ATP can be spread out and will not need to be paid up front.
Timeline for smaller schools like Houston can often be as advertised due to the lower utilization of the aircraft and instructors meaning more availability to fly, however weather delays are always possible. For staying as a CFI to reach 1500 it can be a little weird. You will not necessarily be able to instruct at the facility you want to be at. They will give you a list of locations requiring CFI's and let you pick. Also, note that some of the smaller locations may not have you flying as much as you might like. At Houston each instructor currently only has 2 students. This also affects your pay as you get a higher rate for flying more hours.
Tuition reimbursement is paid directly to your account if using their finance. It is paid to you if using outside finance.
Housing at Houston was 200 per week for duel occupancy, although I was told that often you have the apartments without a room-mate. I didnt look into this too much as I have a family and would not be using it.
They were pretty open with ipad requirements. They all appeared to use mini's at Houston. A foreflight subscription is required (paid by the student)
Cross-country is arranged by ATP. You call in the morning and will receive your route for the day. ATP will arrange all hotels etc.
Yes tours are possible, I included contact details in the other thread.
This info is current for Houston within the last few weeks.
The fleet is newer Archers and Seminoles, all were Glass except for one of each. They have a full time A&P on staff that handles all work for the school.
They have visits by recruiters every 3 or 4 weeks. The visiting airlines done follow any kind of schedule, so it is hard to say how often Envoy would be there.
The Chief Instructor was upfront about the fact that you will more than likely spend more than you expected. Many need more hours than planned for prep prior to a check ride. Also check ride costs are not included in what you pay to ATP, so this alone will be several thousand dollars.
The ATP financing is with the two companies listed on their website. They seemed to push quite hard for me to apply for financing while I was there, so I assume there is some form of kickback to ATP as a referral fee. They did tell me that if going with an outside financing method the payments to ATP can be spread out and will not need to be paid up front.
Timeline for smaller schools like Houston can often be as advertised due to the lower utilization of the aircraft and instructors meaning more availability to fly, however weather delays are always possible. For staying as a CFI to reach 1500 it can be a little weird. You will not necessarily be able to instruct at the facility you want to be at. They will give you a list of locations requiring CFI's and let you pick. Also, note that some of the smaller locations may not have you flying as much as you might like. At Houston each instructor currently only has 2 students. This also affects your pay as you get a higher rate for flying more hours.
Tuition reimbursement is paid directly to your account if using their finance. It is paid to you if using outside finance.
Housing at Houston was 200 per week for duel occupancy, although I was told that often you have the apartments without a room-mate. I didnt look into this too much as I have a family and would not be using it.
They were pretty open with ipad requirements. They all appeared to use mini's at Houston. A foreflight subscription is required (paid by the student)
Cross-country is arranged by ATP. You call in the morning and will receive your route for the day. ATP will arrange all hotels etc.
Yes tours are possible, I included contact details in the other thread.
This info is current for Houston within the last few weeks.
The recruiters can do on site interviews I assume?
Wow...I wasn't aware of all the extra charges but I guess that makes sense.
From what I understand you have to have money saved up to live as well. There's no time for a job.
I'm glad he was up front about the costs.
Do you recommend financing through ATP's providers or using someone else? Or whoever approves me?
So is it smarter to go to a smaller school like Houston instead of Dallas for a faster time line?
Houston is closer to my home but if I go to Envoy I would rather be close to a possible base whenever (or if ever) I get DFW.
Sounds like single occupancy housing is a gamble.
Thank you for the contact for the tour!
I wish you best of luck in your career and thank you for the help!
08-07-2017, 10:24 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2016
Posts: 146
Originally Posted by FlyingStormie
Do the 40ME track. It's far less expensive and if you stay on with ATP as a CFI, you'll be getting paid to build multi time.
Financing: they probably get a referral fee of some sort, but there is also the high likelihood that they've established those relationships so that the money flows with as little surprises as possible. You can finance with anyone that will loan to you, though. Regardless of your financial arrangements, the full cost of the program is paid in four installments. Yes, they will refund any unused money on your account should you withdraw early. I know from personal experience.
You'll need a cosigner for the loan most likely. Choose wisely. I had a score in the low 700s and my cosigner had a score in the mid 800s and Wells Fargo said nope, despite my cosigner and I having accounts at Wells Fargo for the past 20 years. Sallie Mae approved my application within 24hrs.
Plan for the worst, hope for the best post training. Assume you'll only get the "min guarantee" as a ATP CFI and plan accordingly. Learn to love Ramen.
I run an iPad Mini 4 with ForeFlight and like it. The iPad, though, runs hot. I bought an X-Naut cooling system for it and with the optional strap, I can use it as a kneeboard. I find that I'm always bumping it with the yoke, though, so I might have to investigate other mounting options. Website: https://x-naut.com/
As for storage size, get the 128gig version. I think ATP requires the Cellular capable version for the integral GPS, but you don't need an active data plan to use the GPS.
Financing: they probably get a referral fee of some sort, but there is also the high likelihood that they've established those relationships so that the money flows with as little surprises as possible. You can finance with anyone that will loan to you, though. Regardless of your financial arrangements, the full cost of the program is paid in four installments. Yes, they will refund any unused money on your account should you withdraw early. I know from personal experience.
You'll need a cosigner for the loan most likely. Choose wisely. I had a score in the low 700s and my cosigner had a score in the mid 800s and Wells Fargo said nope, despite my cosigner and I having accounts at Wells Fargo for the past 20 years. Sallie Mae approved my application within 24hrs.
Plan for the worst, hope for the best post training. Assume you'll only get the "min guarantee" as a ATP CFI and plan accordingly. Learn to love Ramen.
I run an iPad Mini 4 with ForeFlight and like it. The iPad, though, runs hot. I bought an X-Naut cooling system for it and with the optional strap, I can use it as a kneeboard. I find that I'm always bumping it with the yoke, though, so I might have to investigate other mounting options. Website: https://x-naut.com/
As for storage size, get the 128gig version. I think ATP requires the Cellular capable version for the integral GPS, but you don't need an active data plan to use the GPS.
Thanks for the co-signer tips!
08-07-2017, 02:07 PM
#7
Line Holder
Joined APC: Oct 2015
Posts: 79
Originally Posted by Student01
So it's smarter to finance through ATP rather than say Chase Bank?
08-07-2017, 06:00 PM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,593
ATP will get you through quickly but it will be more expensive and take slightly longer than advertised. They're really good at marketing. They will also push you to take a check ride even if you are not ready for it. And their CFI school really sucks.
But if you want to get through as fast as possible, ATP is still the best choice.
But if you want to get through as fast as possible, ATP is still the best choice.
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