ATP students
 

Hi guys locking for some info on ATP from current and former students. Am considering the self-paced program at FLL, but will welcome input on the 90 day fast track as well. What's the training like, easier than a local FBO tougher, do they use their own examiners, and is it worth the money? How flexible are they in coordinating training days for the self-paced prog? Any replies appreciated!

-------anyone?

I did the 90 day and instructed at the PHX location.

The self paced program is pretty flexible but people tend to get put on the back burner. Or at least they did when ATP was super busy. You go on a website, check off days you are availible for training and then your instructor will set up a plan. You can start the 90day and if its too fast paced change to the Self Paced, which is what most people get talked into. The 90 is intense at points but it works for most people.

As for ATP vs FBO theres a bunch of topics on here about it and if you have the time and money to do it rating by rating at your local FBO it willl probably be cheaper. If you just want to get it done and find a job (which is difficult right now) then ATP will get you out the door quick.

Examiners are not on staff, but they use the same few people all the time.


As for is it worth the money.... Well I love my job but thanks to the loan (and college student loan debt) I'm living paycheck to paycheck and will be doing so for a long time. Right now jobs are hard to find and quite a few of my students and instructor friends can't find anything. Its up to you if its worth it to be poor but flying.

Hope this helped.

hey, "rthompsonjr" are you still instructing at ATP?

im also considering ATP,

it would be best if i could

visit the place but im international so its really hard to see

what really goes down there. Im looking to go for the 150day

fast track at panama, FL

have you been to ATP panama? i believe thats there HQ,

can you give me some feedback?

would you consider starting PPL during July in florida?

i know it'll be all humid and hot but other than that, hows the weather for

flying?

No I left ATP last year for a 135 charter.

Haven't been to Panama City, but its not the HQ, thats in Jax. My only experience was in PHX and I loved it out there. I passed through a few other locations and PHX seemed to be the best run and other students indicated the same.

Doesn't really matter whn you start, July is as good as any. You're gonna run into weather at somepoint no matter where or when you go.

I did my MEI a couple of years ago in Phoenix (IWA). I enjoyed it the instructors were good and it went smooth. Everyone seemed real happy.

For the students looking at flight schools,

When I went to flight school I hated it. I got real upset with them for many different reasons. Some were justified, others were not. As soon as I got mad I lost out on alot of knowledge because of my poor attitude.

That was two years ago and today I work for what I consider to be one of the best flight schools in the country. Previous to getting on with my company I worked for AF. So between the FBO's, Cert. Factorys and everything in-between I think I have a pretty good grasp on the way flight training is.

When choosing a school do all the research you can, make a decision, and go. While you are there you need to understand that there WILL be things wrong with the program. Some of it will really upset you, as it should. But take the adversity as another tool, or peice of information that you can use in the future. Example: When I'm a CFI I won't say that, etc. Take the good with the bad and understand that in the big picture you will be better off having a few bad experiences. It will build character and make you not only a better pilot, but also a better person.

When shopping for a school I reccomend using this as a guide: (not really in this order)
1. Reputation
2. Location
3. CFI Experience
4. Quality of Aircraft

When I left my school I was really upset with my decision to go there. As time passes I am more and more confident that it was a good decision and money well spent. I grew alot as a person while I was there and gained alot of experience that I wouldn't have got (as fast) anywhere else. I also was lucky to meet some highly competent pilots that I am honored to call my friends. My only regret is that I didn't get as much out of that school as I should have because of my poor attitude. ...if I knew then what I do now...

(Sometimes I feel like I should call Jim K and thank him.)

Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it.

I pretty much decided to go all-ATP but haven't decided the location yet,

now i have to think about how im going to build time after the course is

over.

Since i can't instruct due to my-self being international with M-1 visa,

I'll have to research more and plan,

well, thanks to all, keep in touch~:)

I have been seeing alot referring ATP on the forums.. I know some of the ATP schools vary with location. I am considering the one in FLL as well.. Im looking at their website.. Im looking to get up to CPL at an accelerated rate . I am international as well.

I suggest PHX (KIWA actually). Its the largest location and the Cheif Pilot is alot nicer than some other locations.

atp
 

not to step on anyones toes but I have done some training at atp and a couple of other places, I have been witness to some of the guys going from 0 time to mei in 5-6 months. sorry, but there is no way a pilot knows everything he needs to know to teach in that amount of time. I did my mei at one of there locations and the cfi i flew with had 400 and had been flying a total of 8 months. I sat in a class of privates getting a multi add on and some of the things I heard that were being taught to the students I couldn't believe. So if your going to atp just be cautious and remember getting done the fast way is not allways the best way.

I would think the Cheif Pilots would kiss ur ass at all locations because your dropping some serious coin to train there.

I'll have to agree with the reviews at the PHX location, people seemed cool and can't beat the WX in AZ granted you will have to run into foul weather at some point.

Kiss ur ass are you kidding why do you think you have to give them your money up front? that is the only time you will get you ass kissed and that is basic recruiter 101. Good luck getting an ATP CHief to suck up to you; it is gonna be the other way around for a while

Keep in mind the KFLL location only does multi training

I liked my time with atp, i trained out of the bowling green location and it was super laid back. Which is what i needed to learn so much in so little time, I hadnt flown west of louisiana. However have been to and did my initial in FLL, the fbo is amazing but the training area is pathetic. So many little cessnas everywhere way to much traffic. The examiner and I had to dodge planes twice on my INITIAL, most of them werent monitoring any frequency or spoke a diff language. If your looking for real fast paced go to jax, panama is pretty nice and laid back. Couple buddies went there and loved it, nice airport too. And to those who doubt how much one can learn in so little time. A) have you tried to and B) seems the only reason you say this is cuz you couldnt do it. However a lot of students were VERY knowledgeable and learned alot.

I'm not saying you don't learn. I'm saying there is no way that you learned everything in six months necessary to teach students. That is stupid to think you can go from knowing nothing about aviation to teaching it. and I have been to an atp school and watched one of the ground instructors teaching privates for a multi add on that could not explain the function of carb heat and why you don't use it in the PA-44. I have many friends that went to atp and teaching where they teach now is tough, cuz if your students dont know something they come to u.