ATP or AF for CFI?
 

I would like to get my instructor licenses. Not quite sure which school to go with. I am looking to get at least the CFI, CFII and/or possibly MEI. Is the MEI necessary to help out with my resume for future aviation jobs? I do plan on working as an instructor for a few months. I currently have 500TT/350ME. My goal is to get into the regionals and ultimately, the majors. I am edging towards the 30 year old mark so I would like to not waste more time. I haven't flown in 3 years so that in itself proves a challenge to get back on the horse.

AF has a 3k CFI,CFII program.
ATP has a CFI,CFII, MEI for 6.5k

I understand the tuition will balloon up to 15-20% but which training facility will give me the best value? Best quality of training? And instructor jobs afterwards?

I would definitely appreciate any current/previous experiences with these two schools.

Hey glad to hear you are getting back in the game and flying. Here is just my 2 cents on the topic.

I believe you should go with a smaller flight school with a very experienced CFI and one you get along with. The reason being, I believe that a very experienced CFI will be able to teach you much better do to there experience in training. I have always been shy about going with ATP flight schools due to less experienced flight instructors. I am in no way saying that they are not good, it just seemed to me that they have less qualified instructors.

In my training I have always had 2000 plus hour CFI's and have always finished every rating at the bare minimum hours. Although the CFI is very much a knowledge based rating, I think it would benefit you to receive training from a person who has had a lot of trial and error experience with students. You could end up paying more for the rating with a less qualified flight instructor because it takes him longer to teach you verses an experienced flight instructor that can adapt to your learning technique.

Again just my 2 cents people may feel different. Glad to hear you are pressing on to achieve your dream. Ryan

So I have a slightly different take from Blueikid.. I am currently in a similar position as you are, I have recently decided to get my CFI/II. I have looked at American Flyers in Pompano Beach and they do have a really nice facility. I have taken some ground school there and it was very good. I will probably go with AF because the CFI is so much ground work and I know that the ground school at AF is second to none. I also like the "academy" style with which they do the program so you get to work with several other people who are all trying to accomplish the same goal. It is also structured to be completed in a set amount of time rather than open ended.

In my case I can't take 30 days off from work so I called them and they will allow me to do the CFIA first then followed by the CFII at a later date. The cost is also hard to beat at around $3,000 for both.

I am curious about something.. How did you end up with so much Multi time with such a low amount of total time? Do you own an airplane? Where are you located? I am in South Florida....

I did the ATP one, basically because I was strapped for time, and did not have any local options to do CFI. It is a very fast program, but pretty good. I have a couple friends who recently did the one at AF. AF seems like they hold your hand more than ATP, whereas ATP expects you to show up with a lot of stuff done before you start class. ATP is actively hiring instructors (if you are not picky on the location you end up at), and I get the impression that AF is not actively hiring.

If you have any more specific questions PM me.

I think that you'll find that most MEI courses are going to run you somewheres around the 3K to 3.5K mark anyways. I say pick a school and location that YOU are comfortable with and go get your rating.



atp

I will agree with Istorm2003. Having a classroom style of teaching with a few people is a very good thing. You will be able to get together with people and learn together which I think is far more effective than just quizzing yourself. It sounds like the AF deal is pretty good.

I've been talking to AF and the recruiter said that students are able to use the available flight sims as much as they want for no additional charge. Does ATP have that same deal? I am rusty with flying so unlimited sim time would definitely help me out.

Question is, if AF doesn't hire me as an instructor, what are my chances of getting a job at ATP?

It's been over a year since I've been at ATP, but when I was there they had the same deal for the sims. I would call & get all your questions answered, maybe even a tour at the location of interest. I would not only ask the Chief pilot & administration questions, but instructors & students as well. From what I've noticed, most flight schools will only hire you if you have gone through their program. Not sure if it's still like that.

Hope this helps!

Rustypilot: just curious where you are thinking of doing your CFI geographically? I'm in S Fla and would like to start the AF class on Sept 5th at KPMP. What about you?

Little late, I know, but if anyone needs any info about American Flyers in general, I can give that out (minus pricing besides what's advertised). I am a Check Airman, and waiting for the good ole' FSDO to come over so I can complete my Assistant Chief Instructor proficiency check.