da_flyn_hawyn

I've been to a few different schools from a mom and pop FBO to DCA and now ATP. I would have to say get a good education on your ASEL, ASEL Instrument, and Mulit engine private, and then go to ATP because they are cheap and they can get you finished in a timely manner. I went to DCA for half of my ratings and now I'm finishing off at ATP because DCA is way to expensive, but they probably have hands down one of the best education in aviation, but they are way too expensive. Did I mention that DCA was expensive?... Anyways, at ATP if you get a good instructor you'll be taught good, if you get an ok or bad instructor, you won't learn anything. ATP is part 61 and they will get you done as soon as possible, and the instructors want to leave as soon as possible so sometimes you won't get the best education. My theory is as long as you have a great instructor it doesn't matter what school you go to. Did I tell you that DCA was expensive?... Don't go to DCA!

FL600

I am a current student at ATP.

As far as private - if the location you choose DOES NOT have an SE airplane, ATP contracts out with a local FBO to get your pvt. That's what I did. I started in SEA, where there is only one instructor/airplane, and they sent me to an FBO at the same airport, where I completed my private.

I have had nothing but a positive experience with ATP. I would whole heartedly recommend them to anyone who wants to completely delve in and live and breath aviation for three months solid. I fly EVERY day, sim almost every day and get ground school every day. (and believe it or not, I also have time for a personal life! lol)

I can't remember who posted it, but instructors are here to instruct their students, not to give impromptu tours or whatever. At my location, when someone schedules a tour/interview, they are given a dedicated instrutor for that 2 hours ~ but when someone just pops in and wants to shoot the breeze about ATP for 2 hours when I'm in the middle of ground school or sim and they snag my instructor, I'm a tad ****ed.

Those of you making surprise visits, just know that you're taking away an instructor from students, and really, you should have called first to see if someone was available to show you around. I don't like my flight/sim/ground being interrupted especially because I have huge time restraints on what and how much I need to get done in a certain time frame.

Some locations facilities aren't as new as others, I've been to two locations only. I've heard that Phoenix and Dallas are the nicest. Sure, there are some rude instructors (I'm sure there are at local mom and pop FBO's too!) In my experience, I've made really great friends (both inst and students) and really learned a ton.

Good luck!

mjmuel0

I am currently enrollled in phx. Very professional and focused on flying for ratings. Steep learning curve for the time alotted but I hoping its worth it. Plus everyone says alot of learning comes after your finsihed and teaching. For my wo cents its worht it for an accelerated learning.

rickurukus

nice u flew out of KTIW? you get your private at Pavco? i worked the line at Pavco for the last year or so and now I am working at Executive Terminal just down the way you know those places? and who was your instructor at the SEA location?

ravenr1

I am in the middle of my PPL. I called ATP and scheduled an appointment and was very pleased. I flew down from VA and even brought my wife and parents down with me. I was very happy with their service and they answered every question I had. This was in Florida (Jacksonville). I would be kinda P.O'd too is someone just showed up and had a million questions. The best thing to do is call. Don't just show up and surprise them like you are the IRS or raiding Michael Vick's house. Like I said, call and they will schedule you. This is where I plan to go. I have nothing but great things to say about that visit.

de727ups

Yeah, I guess ATP is not the kind of place where you can just pop in like most FBO's would be. My only concern about taking advance set up tours would be the ability to "control" what you see. A set up tour is fine, but I'd want to talk to some folks "outside the loop" to get a full range of opinions.

kdoner

if you're looking to get special treatment from ATP, forget about it.... If you want your certs and ratings in 90 days... go for it... I know it's $50,000 and believe me, i see how many zeroes there are, but are you lookin to get your ratings? or to be treated like a king? keep in mind, if you don't go there, somebody else will.

de727ups

It's more than 50K now....

BadMags

just wait till the D-Jets show up hahaha

TXTECHKA

50K+ doesn't seem all that cheap to me! That would probably buy most of a decent college education. I would use half that and get rated at an fbo and then use the other 25K for a down payment on a house