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ATP Location Advantages?

Old 04-10-2012, 04:30 PM
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Default ATP Location Advantages?

I am trying to decide where to finish up my commercial license. I can go to my local FBO where I got my private and instrument, however the program is structured to complete the commercial in the single and incorporate the multi to fill the complex and multi requirements which will give me only about 15 hours multi. Does that sound right?.
Then there is my age. I’m pushing 32 and feel that I am running out of time. So I was looking into going to ATP which will give me 115 multi for not that much more money and much faster. However the reviews I have been reading on certain ATP locations are just scary. I understand Las Vegas ATP does not have many planes thus it takes longer to complete than advertised. Does anyone have any knowledge of the Phoenix ATP? Good/Bad? I’m from Utah so I kind of wanted to stay on the western half of the country, guess it really doesn’t matter though.

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Old 04-11-2012, 04:55 AM
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ATP is ATP... I've heard horror stories from that place, and I've also met an instructor or two from there who were just fine. I think the problem lies in the fact that they churn out pilots at such a rapid pace that it can become difficult to identify/rectify problems in some cases... and those cases get pushed right through the door into the aviation world regardless. I would recommend somewhere you can build more multi time than just 15 hours though. You will need it. Especially at your age if you are hoping to get to a regional airline.
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Old 04-11-2012, 07:39 AM
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My training background is similar to yours PM me your log book info: All requirements that have been met for the Commercial certificate.
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Old 04-11-2012, 04:19 PM
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@669605... From what I understand ATP actually moves aircraft around to cater to student work load. If you decide to go to Chicago don't expect 50 aircraft waiting on the flight line. I know Pheonix has the most sims and I think the most aircraft in the system. I know at KCRG (Jacksonville) they never have a shortage of aircraft although it isn't the nicest of locations. You get what you pay for and I was SKEPTICAL of ATP and I've been talking to them for several months and haven't heard one horror story. I talked to the students, CFI's, and people who are much higher and they love everything about it. I know the Instructor's aren't flying as much as they use to and now they Instructor's who have been there several years which has improved the quality of instruction. @Chris are you the guy at Sterling currently doing the ATS program? I thought about Sterling but they are almost $10K more than ATP and will take a lot longer but Sterling flight is certainly a good outfit.
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Old 04-12-2012, 04:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Ray Blaszak View Post
@669605... From what I understand ATP actually moves aircraft around to cater to student work load. If you decide to go to Chicago don't expect 50 aircraft waiting on the flight line. I know Pheonix has the most sims and I think the most aircraft in the system. I know at KCRG (Jacksonville) they never have a shortage of aircraft although it isn't the nicest of locations. You get what you pay for and I was SKEPTICAL of ATP and I've been talking to them for several months and haven't heard one horror story. I talked to the students, CFI's, and people who are much higher and they love everything about it. I know the Instructor's aren't flying as much as they use to and now they Instructor's who have been there several years which has improved the quality of instruction. @Chris are you the guy at Sterling currently doing the ATS program? I thought about Sterling but they are almost $10K more than ATP and will take a lot longer but Sterling flight is certainly a good outfit.
I'm not outright hating on ATP... they have produced a lot of good pilots. And the reasons I chose Sterling/ATS are:

A. Best maintenance crew and aircraft at KCRG (and I truly believe that)
B. Best instructors at KCRG (most have 1500 hour minimum and have other experience in aviation other than instructing... and some even work part 135 charter so the real-world experience I've received is par none in my opinion)
C. Part 141 Flexibility (I have a crazy schedule but still wanted to learn in as structured an environment as possible)
D. Right-seating King Air 200 and CJ flights
E. Free sim time in an AATD and free ground instruction
F. More multi time than you know what to do with for a great price in a great aircraft

I looked at ATP and decided it wasn't for me. And I can tell you from first-hand experience that most of the close calls I've had around the training area are from ATP students/instructors not making the appropriate radio calls and almost causing an accident etc...

I know a couple of instructors that came form ATP and they are awesome. Your flight training is what you make of it. Everyone has to pick the best route for themselves to meet their individual goals. Bottom line, some pilots are good, and some aren't. In my opinion, the quality of your training depends a lot on what you put into it.
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Old 04-12-2012, 06:29 AM
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I was very happy with the instruction and value at Arizona Flight Training Center in PHX (actually, Glendale).

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Old 04-13-2012, 06:34 PM
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Thanks for the information guys, it just confirms my thoughts on ATP. Though I would like to attend my local FBO I just think it’s time to get done and flying. I just hope I can keep up at ATP, never was the fastest learner but always the hardest working.



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Old 04-14-2012, 07:56 AM
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669605 ATP has come through a lot with all the material they have now. Just as a heads up you will need to buy an Ipad as they do everything digital now although students can still purchase paper charts (and I think they are required on checkrides) if they want. Some other advantages of ATP is all the cockpit's and flying procedures are standardized. Meaning every 2001 PA-44 looks exactly the same and every 89 looks exactly the same. Once you enroll they will send you the supplement make sure you memorize that and the profiles to a t. One thing I've been doing is getting all my written's done before my ACPP (I start in June) and only have my FOI and FIA left. This way all I need to concentrate on are the checkride and flying. I can't speak for other locations but the guys at CRG are top notch. The owner frequents there often, they will never through you into a checkride just because they can, and will really work with the student. Both chief pilots always keep their door open so students can ask them questions any time they want in case your instructor isn't there. They rely on the student to do mostly self study and come up with ground school lessons. For example, if you are struggling on approach plates you need to ask your instructor for a ground school. Again I am not speaking for the entire system. Not everyone can learn this way but I think I will do alright because I will get bored with lectures and want to spend most of my ground school time on real world principles as oppose to FAA written principles. Also most people at the call center don't know this but they do reimburse you up to 150 bucks for each written you take not at ATP. One huge complaint everyone has is there may not be a lot of time to take written's so you may have to come in and take them when you may not be ready because they require writtens to be done by a certain portion of your training.
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Old 04-15-2012, 07:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Ray Blaszak View Post
Meaning every 2001 PA-44 looks exactly the same and every 89 looks exactly the same.
I believe they're 79's.
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Old 04-16-2012, 02:10 PM
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Sorry I miss spoke
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