what do you think guys about ATP Phx,AZ location ? I heard it's busy and they have alot of students I'm thinking to start from zero time.

I work at a flight school out of DVT in North Phoenix. I will tell you one thing, most of the CFI's that I work with that went to ATP regret getting so much into debt because they went to ATP and not just that but they actually hated that place. This coming from about 5 different guys that went to ATP, they all agreed on one thing, ATP's marketing is really good (0 to hero in two years or whatever) that's how they get you.

Do it at your own pace, paying as you go if you can at a different flight school.

They offer 90k for easa licence and they say it takes 12-15 months,i dont know its true or not+ i will give 15k for type rating so its around 105k..the thing is that i need easa licence and i wanna do it in us.I ve been searcing a lot of academies who can offer faa+easa and atp looks like they ve highest quality in those academies but im not sure..Some students had some troubles but some of them keep saying its the best option u have.

Instead of atp,i can go to cae oxford as well or any other academies but i need to search before i came to america and start to get my training asap.Money is not so important if this academy gives u good training and their students preferable from airlines.If you have any suggestion please let me know this.

I was contemplating ATP last year (assaulted with the emails and phone calls). Chose to piece meal it together at part-61 FBO's. It's more hours but I should be able to finish Com SEL and CFI for significantly less than 30k and minimal debt.

If you have the patience and drive to do it on your own it can save you a ton of money.

It sounds like to me that you get what you put into it with ATP like most things in life. I see a lot of complaints on Yelp as well as across these boards and maybe the location also is a factor. Does anyone have any information on the one in Long Beach, CA? Good? Bad?

ATP is a very bad choice..
 

It's just a pilot mill and an opportunity to be in big debt. It's not worth the money they charge.

They don't have a manager there as far as I know which means it is probably a better location since it isn't being micromanaged.

Also, it is just beneath the Class B airspace of LA so sometimes traffic there is insane. Actually for a low time pilot it is quite scary, intersecting runways, lots of jet traffic, lots of helicopters. But if you can fly in and out of there then you will be comfortable flying in other busy areas and your radio skills will be excellent.

ATP isn't really that much more expensive than anywhere else. :rolleyes:

And when you consider the opportunity cost of getting all of your ratings in less than a year, it actually makes a lot of sense, despite their poor management.

ATP
 

They are very spotty from facility to facility. I’ve seen good pilots come from there, but I know more who wuit part way through.
Gumby

Ah yes, "Standard Issue ATP Flight School Complaint #3."


ATP is neither evil nor the gold standard in flight training options.

It's great for those who want to get it all done in one swell foop. It's torture for those who need (or desire) a more individualized approach to their training. Also, if you don't already have your PPL, I recommend getting it at a FBO, Flying Club, etc rather than with ATP. This way, you'll learn your preferred learning style.

Yes, location matters, and not just due to differences in geography, weather patterns, traffic density, etc. If you can visit multiple locations, do so. Evaluate them against what you find at other flight training organizations in your area(s) of choice. Flight training is a highly individual experience and what works for you may not work for everyone. "Pay as you go" didn't work for me all too well as it took quite a while (calendar and flight time wise) to obtain my PPL.

For me, I did the math and found that no matter where I went to continue my training, I'd be looking at spending (borrowing) roughly the same amount of money. For reference, I was going to do the 40hr ME option PPL credit. As they say, your mileage may vary.