advice please

[dogg]

Falcon, you must have gotten you ATP before the days of test prep software and the "five and dime" examiner program if you are comparing it to a "doctoral degree" . Of course having an ATP is better then not but lets not get carried away. Anymore the ATP is nothing more than a glorified instrument rating. But the guy should definitely get one if he wants a job.

 

[Timebuilder]

I'm confused.

Has the advent of test prep software, or special programs changed the meaning of the accomplishment of the ATP certificate? Have the standards for the accomplishment changed, making the study for the certificate, or the accomplishment itself less meaningful?

Was it always, as has been suggested, a "glorified instrument rating"?

 

[bobbysamd]

ATP . . . it is still an accomplishment

I got mine in 1989. I went to a weekend school for the written and, yes, I went to Sheble's for the practical. I still had to meet the PTS, though. I haven't looked at an ATP (and type rating) PTS in a while, but I doubt that such things as -0/+5 for airspeed have changed all that much.

I've always told people that the ATP is essentially a souped-up instrument rating. I had any number of instrument students who flew to ATP standards. The standards aren't much tougher than the instrument rating. Just the same, it is still a milestone in a professional pilot's career. As a practical matter, especially in times like these where competition is fierce for very few jobs to be had (which is still true, folks, even during good times), you need to present the best quals possible so you can have the best chance. Getting the ATP is one of those quals.

 

[RightBettor]

CFI renewal

rk772:

With respect to the CFI renewal... go with Gleim's online CFI renewal system. It cost about $100 and you can do it on your own time. You complete the package, print out the certificate and walk it to the nearest FSDO with a completed 8710 from... and you're good for the next 24 months.

Click here ------> https://www.gleim.com/aviation/firc/

I keep mine current in order to maintain my "Graduate of the College of Hard Knox" designation in the upper left hand corner of the certificate! The Gleim course worked great for me.