I'm currently an Army helicopter pilot with about 18 months left until I get out to begin an airline career. I figured it is about time to start researching a path to obtaining the hours required for the R-ATP. I have my private pilot fixed wing and instrument but am short on the PIC total time and crosscountry time as well as requiring my multi-engine rating. I applied for SkyWest's RTP program and heard back yesterday saying I was "accepted." I'm assuming there will be an interview at some point but they didn't offer me a lot of information yet about the process.

Has anyone dealt with SkyWest's RTP program? Just curious about how it was. Are there certain flight schools they accept? I know it's going to vary for everyone but is it worth a 2 year commitment? That honestly doesn't seem all that terrible for $25k in flight training costs covered but I'm curious about others' opinions. I've taken a look through some of the other threads here to learn more about SkyWest but any other opinions are welcome here. Is DTW still fairly junior? I'm honestly not 100% sure yet where I'll be living after the Army but my wife would really like to move back home which is ROC. What's the viability of commuting from ROC to DTW?

I may add more questions here as I think of them or may answer my own questions as I continue to do research but I appreciate any insight ya'll might have!

 

No replies in 2 months? This is the info I came here looking for. Skywest also "accepted" me into their pilot pathway program. I'm hesitant to sign anything and accept money until I learn more. I retired from the Army with 2,300 hours and just finished my PPL add-on. At this rate, I will continue to chip away at my ratings on the side but stay employed in my current profession. I'd like to hear from someone that has our similar background and did the Skywest Pilot Pathway program.

You should plan to take the CSP early out and attend Infinity flight training while using the GI Bill. Let Uncle Sam pay your salary, GI Bill pay the flight training, and have the airlines come to you for interviews. In 18 months it could all stop and you could just look for a helicopter job or CFII job in the meantime. My 2 cents.

 

I figured I'd have a few repies as well but is what it is. I've been trying to do as much research as I can. Also not signing anything at the moment. I've heard all the horror stories here from people who've done similar programs. I'm getting close to the 12 month mark and am planning on sending in my applications soon. Frontier seems like the best bet at the moment so that's my first choice. Did you attend Infinity? I'm curious what the CSP entails, can I go there to build time just flying or will I become a flight instructor there and build time that way? I've really just been considering just building time locally and knocking out my Commercial AMEL here at Rucker during the next year so that I've got the R-ATP minimums already when I do ETS.

 

Not an RTP pilot, but have spoken with a few on the line. If you are okay with the two year commitment, you should be fine. Where they get into trouble is they get halfway through the commitment and decide to apply for other airlines and get a job, and then don't want to repay the money that they said they would repay (via the contract) if they left early.

 

OP: I'm not recommending one way or the other, but reference this thread if you haven't seen it already: This is why you NEVER sign a training contact

 

I would take the example of how republic is moving forward with this as a prime example.