All valid points. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do about the new ATP requirements. Everyone's going to have to spend about $5k on the ATP-CTP now, and shopping around doing the practical in a light twin was going to cost me about the same especially needing to remove a centerline thrust restriction. Closest deal was Mil2ATP, maybe a few hundred less, but I was still gonna have to travel. Sky Warrior offers a similar deal. Bottom line is it's gonna be about $9k.

Correct, I have no delusions that time in the sim makes me better or anything like you said. But, it was a lot more fun and relevant flying a jet than a Seminole or something with lots of weird levers, haha.

 

Yeah, the relevance of my 6 hours of twin time (can't even remember the name) is 0. The entire ATP requirement for a fixed wing military pilot with over 1500 hours is ridiculous. I thought there was still a significant cost saving by going the light twin route, if not then I take back at least some of my previous post.

On the bright side, once you get through all this the job will ultimately be worth the pain of getting it.

 

If your goal is to work for SWA then going the type rated ATP on the 737 is the way to go... Honestly flying a 737 is easier than flying a Twin Seminole. I agree that this ATP-CTP is a joke... waste of time and money.

 

I got my ATP before the rule change and I couldn't agree more even then. My C-130 checkrides and annual sim refresher training were far more involved than my 8 hours (including check) in a Seminole that I'll likely never step foot in again.

 

I'm caught in the ATP-CTP boat and have that all scheduled, but it seems like the game has changed for the practical. Where are all the cool kids taking the practical nowadays?

 

At a regional is the cheapest and one of the lowest threat places to do it, while checking a few boxes...

 

Oddly enough, my light twin check ride was extremely involved. I had the misfortune of signing up for a program that until about 1 month prior had been a 'pay the fee, get the degree' kind of place (as it should be). They got busted by the FAA, the primary examiner lost his credentials, and were under major scrutiny. I had a full-up ground eval along the lines of 'ok, you're a molecule of hydraulic fluid, explain the landing gear system...' Awesome, I can now built this POS twin that flies like a dump truck, that I will never fly again. I guess light twins get some kind of harmonic going if you don't get the RPMs just right. Of course with my 3 hours of practice I was like the new student who lets the ATIS run for 10 minutes straight but never hears it. My examiner is in my crap because I'm not fixing it and all I can think is who friggin cares?

 

Air America in Daytona Beach FL. Can't beat the price and very big picture.


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Fully agree. Quick and cheap. I don't know how the new rules affect it, but when I took it with them, they had it set up so you could get it done in two days and about $1000. I paid a little more because I didn't think I was ready and wanted to take one more training flight. The IP said I was ready and was just be wasting my money. However, you will need another $700 cash for the DPE, could be more by now? There were a couple other ex and and current military guys taking it when I was there. A B1 and a UH-60 pilot. Neither had ever touched a light twin, and did fine. I stayed at the Quality Inn just outside the airport for about $60.

One more thing about the DPE. It won't be a Santa Claus ride. He will hit "everything" in the PTS. Make sure you get the a/c manual from them and go over every system, engine, prop, fuel, electric, gear, etc. My oral took longer than the ride.

Multi-Engine ATP - Course Pricing | Air America Flight Center

 

Air America was interesting. Hex1972 recommended it to me and a buddy of mine and I spent a week down there. Including airfare, hotel, rentals/instruction and $800 cash for the DPE (yes $800) it was arbout $3100. The DPE was a pain in my ass, but big picture. Feel free to pm for details. We were there in early Feb.