Anyone have feedback on ATP in Denver? I've read many of the ATP threads on the forum and understand the overall pros and cons of ATP. I'm curious about the pros and cons of the Denver location specifically since I don't want to relocate if I pursue flight training.

Also, what is the reality of the "guaranteed CFI job" at ATP and in their Denver location? Since ATP is a marketing machine, I'm sure there are many catches.

I figure I'll get more honest answers from this community than talking with an ATP sales person. Please let me know your thoughts.

I'm personally not a fan of one of their most commonly used DPEs.

How is a DPE selected? Is a DPE chosen by the student / the flight school, or is it completely random?

I'm considering ATP as well. I would likely either attend Denver or Ogden if I decide on ATP. I would go in with a private as I am almost finished. I have talked to a few different people at ATP and they say they do "guarantee" a CFI job. One told me they no longer make you answer phones waiting for a CFI job to open up. You may not get your desired location as a CFI. It seems like there is so much negativity towards ATP. However, two experienced airline pilots and my CFI (retired) recommend that I go to ATP to complete my ratings and be a CFI with ATP.

I fall in the career change category. I have a bachelors degree and was in law enforcement for about 15 years. Soon to be 40.

ATP sounds nice but I'm still unsure at this point.

I too have been eyeballing Utah and am considered a career changer only I am 30. I haven't been into deep conversations with them and need to know more in regards to their financing and how it operates so if anyone has more insight as to how its paid for then please fill me in. Thanks

Training in Utah or Colorado gives you lots of advantages in having to deal with terrain and cold weather. Not everywhere gets to handle these things so you'll be comfortable with them when you get out in the real world.

With ATP, mileage may vary.


If you aren't flying, then they can't bill you. So they like to keep you flying as much as possible. But don't believe the 180 day timeframe, I don't think anyone completes it that quickly. Also they will likely have to charge you extra unless you do everything perfectly the first time, so budget for 10% more than what they claim.

And the biggest problem with ATP is that they are only focused on the bottom line meaning that they will push you to take checkrides and writtens on artificial deadlines whether you are ready to or not. If you fail, then they get more money for the required extra training.

Other than those pretty major points, I had very good experience with ATP. When I had a bad instructor they gave me a new one upon request. And I did get all of my tickets in way less than a year. Keep in mind that they never hold class so everything is one on one and you have to learn a lot of it yourself. ATP also doesn't give you time to do much of anything else, so forget having a side job or anything. Lots of time it is 6-7 days a week.

If your goal is to ram through as fast as humanly possible, then ATP is a good choice. Their equipment is good too.

My experience with ATP wasn't very satisfactory and I would hesitate to recommend it to a prospect student. My major concern was that admissions just wanted you in and had no true communication with the training personnel. They loved to sell themselves as having the best connections for interviews and it's pure lie, if you have your certificates and reach the hours, you can get a job. Look for alternatives by all means if possible.

Check out Aspen Flying Club at Centennial. Go visit in person and then make your decision.

I'll save you 4 months with this advice. Get your commercial ME first, then add on ASEL. That way you won't need a complex, and TRUST ME, that's a problem here in Denver.

I'll be starting at ATP-Denver in about a week. I'm in the 40ME Track. I'm coming into the program with my PPL and about 130hrs, earned about 10yrs ago. I've met my instructor and have done my intro flight. So far, I'm pleased with what I've seen.

The Denver location doesn't have any Archers. All single engine stuff is done in G1000 equipped 172SPs. All except one of the Seminoles have the G500 panel. The "campus" consists of a few office suites in Hangar 8 @ TAC Air. APA is a maintenance base for ATP.


From what I've read, if a student progresses through the program reasonably well, the job is yours. I'm interpreting "reasonably well" to mean that you're not known for showing up for lessons ill prepared, failing checkride after checkride, etc.

You get to pick your base, but you may not get to return to your base immediately following the CFI standardization course. You may be sent elsewhere in the system until there is an opening at your chosen location. "Up to four months" is something I remember seeing.

Compensation is kinda complected. ATP CFIs are paid a minimum of $1000/month to cover ground instruction. Since the program's expectations are such that students are to complete ground largely on there own, this functions more like "min guarantee" in the airline world. The pay per flight hour is a three tier system. Lowest tier is, I think, $7.50/flight hour. I think the highest tier is $12.00/flight hour. Which tier you fall into is based on the number of hours you fly for the month.


My CFI told me that the Denver location has "several" that they use and all, in his opinion, are great to work with. To me, this means that since your checkrides and such are already scheduled, the school makes the contact and you get whomever is available. Examiner fees are not included in the program cost. Neither are the fees for the written test. I was told, though, that the Denver location is a testing site, so you can take the written tests through ATP for free. I guess I'll find out soon.