Aviator89

My instructor for the MEI/CFII add on was dick too.(Jan 2013, CRG) I had way more dual given than him, and he had a wet ink CFI/MEI haha. it was kind of a joke. all he would say if i did something wrong was "if your doing it wrong FIX IT!" haha. he would actually yell. I swear, this guy didnt know how to teach, only yell. I asked for a new instructor after a few flights and got one. Although I didnt really need instruction it was kind of annoying that for 6k I get a fairly new CFI who hates the world assigned to me. Got a much nicer guy with hundreds of dual ME given, very calm and good teacher. Luck of the draw I guess. But I had to go the Chief Pilot to get it switched. thats my only gripe, some of the CFI's were burned out and not happy or just not experienced enough to be good teachers for advanced ratings such as the CFII/MEI.

TBlu

I was a student at ATP as well as an Instructor with them afterwards. I went through the ATP MSU degree program before that fell apart. it was similar to the self paced program. Took me about a year and a half to go from zero to hero(no flight time to CFI). The length was due to the eight week semesters per MSU. My experience as a student(I went the the PHX location) was excellent. I had really good instructors, and even the other instructors around we're pretty knowledgable and helpful when I needed any help.

You have to know the way ATP operates is their programs are based off the minimum amount of flight time to be able to qualify for the practical. So Aviation and studying is your life, I cannot emphasize that enough. I didn't go through the 90 day program but most of the other students at the school were, and I also instructed my own students through the 90 day. So I understand first hand the stress involved.

I like to think I was lucky with my training location and the instructors. You have to know ATP guarantees the job to everyone who goes throug the program *AS LONG AS YOu DONT HAVE TOO MANY BUSTED CHECK RIDES*. Because of this you will have exceptional pilots, but being a good instructor is another thing. There were instructors that I knew and worked with that were only there because it was a job. They did not like instructing nor did they want to be there but they didn't have another options. The result of that type of attitude is bd instruction. If this is the case,however, simply ask for a new instructor and you will most likely be given one. It's an easy fix.

Overall my experience with ATP was excellent. They provided me with the opertunity and great aircraft to get where I am today. Plus their connections with regionals is still helping me today. I would highly recommend them as a flight school.

hangingon

I got my mei there in 2003. Great place. I am a regional captain now and fly with former ATP folks every now and again. 99% of them are great. If you already have a degree, I think it's a good choice.

JML457

I trained at ATP. I got exactly what I was looking for out of it and ended up teaching there for almost 2 years. Great airplanes and great course outline. Seems it's changed a bit since they took delivery of the archers.

worksweekdays

Here's some food for thought: What do you think you get when a 90 day zero to hero instructor teaches another 90 day instructor, who then teaches another 90 day instructor and so on.

If you're going to make aviation your career, set a good foundation, don't take a crash course in aviation.

DreamToFlyy

I am also about to graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering, and I do not want to go into engineering, I want to fly, and am heavily considering ATP, the nicest perk seems to be their COEs, conditional offers with Republic, Eagle and Skywest, and apparently you can have employment offers with multiple airlines before you even have your commercial. Sounds crazy but apparently there are many pilots there with those deals. As for the price, I know its steep but for the amount of multi time you get when you begin instructing it seems reasonable. Most ATP guys I have talked to move on with 600+ hours of multi at 1500 TT. So I don't know how expensive that would be at a "mom and pop" flight school. May be cheaper to get your commercial and 250 hours and your CFI certs, but do they give you a guaranteed job, or possibly a COE at some reputable regionals, and over 600+ multi hours? Maybe I am brainwashed by ATP but I am just trying to get into aviation quick.

chicwithwings

The idea of a "crash course in aviation" isn't ideal, but for those of us getting a late start or making a career change, ATP is enticing...

CBreezy

Preliminary report released in fatal Brunswick plane crash

"Crash Course" so-to-speak. Looks like an ATP airplane broke apart in flight in Georgia a few days ago.

DreamToFlyy

I do not think it is appropriate to smear a flight school without knowing exactly what happened, anything could have happened and could possibly have nothing to do with how the flight school operates

CBreezy

Then you should take that up with the NTSB. It was their initial report that said the airplane broke apart in flight. If I am going to choose a flight school to spend a sizeable amount of money, it is important to know that one of their airplane had structural failure during an IFR cross-country flight. If you think stating facts about an NTSB investigation is smearing the reputation of a flight school, then you clearly don't know what is and is not appropriate.