Search
Notices
Flight Schools and Training Ratings, building hours, airmanship, CFI topics

ATP CFI program?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-16-2006, 11:54 AM
  #11  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Sitting down and facing front. Why would you want to know that?
Posts: 536
Default

That "some requirement" is in the FARs. You have to have 15 PIC in a twin to take the MEI checkride with anyone. $1000 for 15 hours in a twin isn't bad.
WhiteH2O is offline  
Old 11-22-2006, 06:21 PM
  #12  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: DHC-6 / PC-12
Posts: 213
Default

I went through ATP's 90-Day program (Back when it was only $28k...) in Jacksonville. I did a lot of research, talked to a lot of people and visited many different schools, including 3 different ATP locations. Included in my training was the 2 week CFI program which is the same one that they are offering for $6k. Have absolutely no concerns about the quality of training that you will receive. It is very intensive and intensively thorough. I came away from the entire experience with absolutely no complaints, what so ever.

If you are trying to choose a location, let me give you some quick advice. Since you are already traveling a fair distance, it really shouldn't matter too much
where you go.

Choose Jacksonville, hands down.

A couple of reasons:
1.) It is ATP's home base. This is important especially for you. During my training there, we spent a lot of time at other locations, and JAX was definitely the most professional. Not to say that the others weren't professional, but there was something about the air at JAX that demanded excellence from everyone.

2.) Along with 1.), the best of the best are there as far as staff is concerned. The best instructors get JAX. The chief instructors are great guys and the one that does the bulk of the CFI class is Master CFI Walt Schamel. You will learn soooo much.

3.) Again, back to 1.), if you want to work for the company you will meet the guys in dispatch, the big guy, Jim K. and all of the other important people that make the company tick. You will also meet the woman that put the resumes on Jim's desk...

As far as working for them goes, they definitely demand the same excellence and intensity that they provide. My instructor logged over 1000 hrs of MEL time in a year flying every day and spending an average of 11 hours a day between the airport and the sim. (obviously not flying all that time), and was still very energetic and truly loved her job. Just remember, the check book might not really like the job, but the log book will love it. Plus, you get to live about 10 minutes from the airport (KCRG) with a whole bunch of pilots. If you want to live, sleep, eat and breath airplanes (namely PA-44s!) this is the place for you. I made that decision and I loved it, no regrets.
AVIVIII is offline  
Old 11-22-2006, 06:57 PM
  #13  
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
 
Puppyz's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Posts: 367
Default

thank you , thats the info I was looking for. good to hear from someone who went thru their training. thanks for the headsup on jax. i'll PM you with some more questions if you dont mind
Puppyz is offline  
Old 11-22-2006, 07:22 PM
  #14  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: DHC-6 / PC-12
Posts: 213
Default

No problem, more than happy to help
AVIVIII is offline  
Old 11-22-2006, 09:56 PM
  #15  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: DHC-6 / PC-12
Posts: 213
Default

Another thing I just realized as I was perusing all of the postings. For the three checkrides I spent $450 on my MEI which was my initial CFI. There are (or were) so many applicants for CFI in FL that the FSDO can't handle them all and assign them to a very few, select DPEs accross the state. The CFII which was done in the Seminole and the Single Engine add-on in a 172 were $300 each. I just find it hard to believe that the examiners were charging $500 per check ride. Up here in NH it is only $225 average!
AVIVIII is offline  
Old 11-22-2006, 10:52 PM
  #16  
Reserve Indefinitely
 
pilot_man's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Posts: 178
Default

I just wanted to add that im going to start ATP's 90 day program in Jan., and from what I can tell, from who I have talked to, and even from what I have read....this is the place to go!! I really have no info to give you about the program, I just thought I would say that ATP is worth the money and I cant wait till I get started.
pilot_man is offline  
Old 11-23-2006, 08:17 AM
  #17  
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
 
Puppyz's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Posts: 367
Default

hey good luck pilot_man, thats about the time ill be starting the cfi program. What location are you headed to?
Puppyz is offline  
Old 11-24-2006, 09:44 AM
  #18  
Reserve Indefinitely
 
pilot_man's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Posts: 178
Default

Thanks and good luck to you too. Ill be heading to the GKY location. Where you heading?
pilot_man is offline  
Old 11-24-2006, 10:02 AM
  #19  
Gets Weekends Off
 
LAfrequentflyer's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,242
Default

Originally Posted by AVIVIII View Post
I went through ATP's 90-Day program (Back when it was only $28k...) in Jacksonville. I did a lot of research, talked to a lot of people and visited many different schools, including 3 different ATP locations. Included in my training was the 2 week CFI program which is the same one that they are offering for $6k. Have absolutely no concerns about the quality of training that you will receive. It is very intensive and intensively thorough. I came away from the entire experience with absolutely no complaints, what so ever.

If you are trying to choose a location, let me give you some quick advice. Since you are already traveling a fair distance, it really shouldn't matter too much
where you go.

Choose Jacksonville, hands down.

A couple of reasons:
1.) It is ATP's home base. This is important especially for you. During my training there, we spent a lot of time at other locations, and JAX was definitely the most professional. Not to say that the others weren't professional, but there was something about the air at JAX that demanded excellence from everyone.

2.) Along with 1.), the best of the best are there as far as staff is concerned. The best instructors get JAX. The chief instructors are great guys and the one that does the bulk of the CFI class is Master CFI Walt Schamel. You will learn soooo much.

3.) Again, back to 1.), if you want to work for the company you will meet the guys in dispatch, the big guy, Jim K. and all of the other important people that make the company tick. You will also meet the woman that put the resumes on Jim's desk...

As far as working for them goes, they definitely demand the same excellence and intensity that they provide. My instructor logged over 1000 hrs of MEL time in a year flying every day and spending an average of 11 hours a day between the airport and the sim. (obviously not flying all that time), and was still very energetic and truly loved her job. Just remember, the check book might not really like the job, but the log book will love it. Plus, you get to live about 10 minutes from the airport (KCRG) with a whole bunch of pilots. If you want to live, sleep, eat and breath airplanes (namely PA-44s!) this is the place for you. I made that decision and I loved it, no regrets.
Thanks for posting...I've done my research as well and ATPs is hands down the best flight training deal out there. Outside the military of course...

-LAFF
LAfrequentflyer is offline  
Old 11-25-2006, 12:17 AM
  #20  
Gets Weekends Off
 
sigep_nm's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Posts: 614
Default

Originally Posted by LAfrequentflyer View Post
Thanks for posting...I've done my research as well and ATPs is hands down the best flight training deal out there. Outside the military of course...

-LAFF
Laff,
I agree with most of your posts, but best training deal out there? Maybe for the cost, but not for the quality. I worked in PHX with a lot of guys from ATP, and a meth head with an uzi doesnt scare me as much as some of those guys with an airplane, let alone teaching someone how to fly one. No offense, but a professional is not made in 90 days.
sigep_nm is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jdr7225
Flight Schools and Training
22
09-13-2011 08:29 AM
ERAUdude
Flight Schools and Training
33
11-14-2006 04:23 PM
exerauflyboy5
Regional
39
10-27-2006 10:43 PM
TipTip35
Flight Schools and Training
2
09-12-2006 05:40 PM
WatchThis!
Regional
70
03-10-2006 09:27 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



Your Privacy Choices