ATP's CFI Program
 

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone could shed some light on ATP flight school's CFI-I-MEI program. It seems like a really good deal to get all three ratings in two weeks. Any pros and cons of the program would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I noticed that their prerequisites want you to have the FOI, FIA, and FII written exams finished before getting there. May sound like a dumb question, but since I don't have my regs with me I'll shoot it out there anyways...but does that mean I am going to have to pay to get ground time so an instructor can give me an endorsement to go take those tests, or does ATP have some way of endorsing me before hand?

Thanks

As much as I'm anti-ATP. I think this isn't a bad program. The CFI is a license to learn. You can't really be "trained" for it. You learn by doing it. Just get the license and get out there and do the job.

Agreed. I have always been in favor of small FBO flight schools, but the price on this program is almost too good to pass up.

On a side note, I always figured that I would find any possible way not to flight instruct to build my time, but now that I am at this stage, I'm really excited to get all of the ratings. I think it will be pretty fun and a good experience. I'm actually kind of proud that I have turned my views around to be excited about flight instructing.:)

You don't need an endorsement for the instructor writtens, just go and do them at any time
edit: oh and btw, got my initial instructors license this monday =) (MEI)

I had a feeling the once you had the commercial, you didn't need endorsements to take the exams. I'm on vacation though, so I didn't have my regs to check my inclination.

Congrats on the MEI!!!

thanks :) Good luck on the writtens ;)

Thanks for the regs.

I did some searching and 61.35 states that [paraphrased] an applicant for an aeronautical knowledge test must receive an endorsement from an instructor before going to take a test...unless specified under this part. I did some searching and couldn't find anything that superceded that requirement for people going to take a CFI written. Thanks

I did the CFI program at ATP in Jacksonvillle. What location do you want to do? Jacksonville was extremely busy with a lot of Admin people everywhere, so be on your best behavior. I felt that there wasn't enough 1-on-1 time with students. Make sure that no matter what happens you know the FOI, Endorsements like the back of your hand. Everything else they will teach you by means of a slide show, yes I said slide show.

Sign-off's are not required for any instructor written exam.