Best Place to get an ATP

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06-03-2011, 06:31 PM

AirbornPegasus

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Posts: 110

Best Place to get an ATP

It looks like I will be still be an FO for some period of time and any hope of moving on will require me to get an ATP on my own.

For the record, I have a graduate degree and graduated with honors with each degree. I am a CFII, MEI, who has 6,000TT. I have never scored less than a 90 on any FAA exam (including the ATP written) and have never failed a check ride. I am trying to be cautious and cheap. I just really want to make certain this is not the one that trips me up.

Straight up --
I am looking for the school with the highest pass rate and the lowest price. I am unconcerned with where it is geographically.

Any suggestions?

06-03-2011, 06:38 PM

TurboDog

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Joined APC: Mar 2008

Posts: 1,197

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirbornPegasus

I know you want cheap and it's not the cheapest, but ALL ATPs in Bowling Green, KY is superb. Great Instructor and an Awesome DPE! They are pretty much a team and they look forward to you having a good experience so you will recommend your buddies.

06-03-2011, 06:49 PM

Jamers

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Joined APC: Jan 2007

Position: A320 FO

Posts: 649

All ATPs. And I didn't even go to that b1tch.

06-03-2011, 06:55 PM

Cubdriver

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Joined APC: May 2006

Position: ATP, CFI etc.

Posts: 6,056

Prairie Air Service in Benton Kansas specializes in ATPs. Mom 'n pop business with a storied history. They get backed up this time of year and you may end up going elsewhere in that case, but I recommend them.

06-03-2011, 09:21 PM

Gajre539

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Position: EMB-170 FO

Posts: 383

I did my ATP-ME in our flight school's Seneca in 2008 and have trained 3 people for their ME ATP in our Seneca so far, all passed on the first attempt. I have a one page Seneca checklist with a maneuvers procedures/engine shutdown-restart on the back side and a condensed ATP PTS in the "Download" tab on my website. I also have an Aircraft Systems PowerPoint on the Seneca I on the "Multi-Engine" tab on my site. If you find a flight school with a Seneca I, download the files, they'll make your training go a lot smoother. If you haven't taken your ATP written yet, go with Sheppard Air!

06-03-2011, 09:32 PM

Bellanca

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Joined APC: Oct 2009

Position: CFI/II/MEI

Posts: 481

ATP might be a good option, but as a warning, you might need more than the one or two flights that their packaged deal includes to actually get used to/be ready to fly one of their Seminoles. Especially if you aren't used to hand-flying plane anymore lol. Its up to you to 'sign' yourself off for the ATP ride, so although it might be tempting to save the $300/hour for extra hour or two of flight time, it is a better deal than busting because you aren't quite ready.

06-03-2011, 10:27 PM

Whaledriver101

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Posts: 161

After reading the first few sentences and all the accolades you gave yourself what difference does it make where you take your ATP? You'll ace it whether its in a 747-400 or a Cessna 310 right?

06-04-2011, 04:47 AM

dogismycopilot

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Posts: 208

If you think Southwest may be on your horizon, you may want to consider doing your ATP ride with your 737 type.

06-04-2011, 05:05 AM

MatchPoint

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Joined APC: Sep 2008

Position: AA Airbus

Posts: 829

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboDog

Why would you want to go to Bowling Green? Nothing there but a bunch of hillbillies making Corvettes, underwear and carburetors. Oh and they support a "Big Red" blob.

Dave’s the DPE there in KBWG; he’s one of the nicest DE’s you’ll ever come across and he’s extremely fair. I never used the ATP program there but I did use Dave several times. I highly recommend. FAA Flight Exams: Dave Southard in Bowling Green, KY

06-04-2011, 05:24 AM

#10

seahawker01

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Joined APC: Sep 2009

Posts: 66

get a type

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirbornPegasus

It looks like I will be still be an FO for some period of time and any hope of moving on will require me to get an ATP on my own.

For the record, I have a graduate degree and graduated with honors with each degree. I am a CFII, MEI, who has 6,000TT. I have never scored less than a 90 on any FAA exam (including the ATP written) and have never failed a check ride. I am trying to be cautious and cheap. I just really want to make certain this is not the one that trips me up.

Straight up --
I am looking for the school with the highest pass rate and the lowest price. I am unconcerned with where it is geographically.

Any suggestions?

An ATP really only goes so far as a standalone, it is just a box checker. I really would consider laying out a few bucks and doing a type ride. You will be more marketable with a type and a lot of the foreign contracts require a jet command type. The down side is, as you are aware, depending on where in the hiring cycle we are a type might not be worth much without time in the plane. The 737 type is very reasonable type but I would also look at the Cessna series. The Cessna’s are very cheap types as well and you can always pick up some contract work with one. That way you will actually have time in type to support your resume and hopefully a little extra cash. When looking at resumes type ratings usually stand out more than a standalone ATP. Anybody can get an ATP in a Seminole without much effort but a type shows you can study, learn, and handle a bigger plane making you more likely to pass training for whatever it is you are applying for. Hope that is not too condescending but that’s my two cents.