SE ATP Prep
 

I'm prepping myself to take the ATPSEL to upgrade my PPSEL to ATP standards.

Has anybody done this already? I'm reading the PTS and I have some questions I'd like to PM you about, or I can post them here if others would be interested.

Thanks,

Sluggo63

I did it many years ago as a cheap option to stop my ATP written from expiring. It is basically an instrument competency checkride with perhaps a steep turn but no lazy eights or chandelles. Just instrument work, circle to land, missed approach, hold, non precision approach, ILS, etc. It was in a complex aircraft (retract gear) and perhaps a high performance (>200 HP) so I had to have those endorsements but can't remember? The ground work was a lot of Instrument chart quizzing about symbology, regulations, takeoff alternate, alternates, holding speeds, airspace, O2 reqs, VOR check, pitot static check, transponder check. etc. Seem to remember filing an IFR flight plan, getting a clearance and departing in the IFR system. Very straight forward!

I wouldn't do it unless you have a real good reason or are good buds with the examiner. There's no real upside to having a SELATP and the downside is a possible checkride bust.

I think the general consensus is that the SELATP checkride is easier than the SEL Commercial checkride being primarily an instrument check. Only really useful for military guys using milcomp CFI transfer to SEL CFI...and the very, very few jobs that require one.

If you can fly an airplane I suggest getting one now before they change how difficult getting one is.

I think for the time being it's reasonably similar to what getting an ATP used to be, even after the changes, but you never know what they will change in the future. Having extra ratings never hurts.

In reality all it is is a simplified instrument checkride, nothing difficult.

I thought the Commercial SEL was easy too! I agree that there is very little utility having an ATP with a SEL on it. At the time, I was young, broke and didn't want to re-take the ATP written. I knew a person who got it in an Amphibious aircraft so he earned an ATP SEL and SES in one checkride and had a lot of fun doing it.

If you are concerned about busting the checkride, there is probably a valid reason.

We're talking part 91 GA here. I know a lot of DPEs. Lets just say they can't go on forever without ever failing anyone. Lot's of wiggle room for inconsistency. May not be worth hanging your career on a situation where you don't know the lay of the land. If it's your local patch and you know everybody, then you should get at the very least a fair ride.

Watch out for package deals. Some have a rep for passing all comers, but some try to cut costs by minimizing the prep part of the package which can lead to a "sporting" checkride.

One should always be at least mildly concerned about busting a civilian (GA) check ride. In my experience they are much smaller picture than an AF form 8 check ride (pointy nose side of the house at least).