ATP "Total Twin Training" weekend course

[Pipeliner606]

Well, the time has come for me to move forward with gaining my multi engine and instrument ratings, and try to advance my career. I presently hold a Commercial SEL (no inst.) and have been flying pipeline patrol and ag for the last eight years. My employer just recently lost the pipeline contract I have been flying on (got underbid by another company), so I am out of a seat now. I figure this is the perfect time to go back to school and get myself prepared for better opportunities. I have a little over 3100 hours of total time, but no multi or instrument. I am thinking seriously about ATP's 10 month weekend total twin training program so I can still work and go to school also. I am looking at the Dallas location, because it is only a little over an hours drive from home for me. Any of you guys had any experience with ATP, or more specifically the Dallas location? ANY info would be greatly appreciated. I am shooting for a corporate or cargo seat at some point when I am finished. Thanks for your help in advance!!

 

[Pipeliner606]

Come on, guys, surely someone here can give me a heads up on this!!

 

[rltoma]

I did the 10 hour multi add-on in August, but I already had the Instrument. I have much less experience than you, so if I could do it in the 4 days, it should be no problem for you.

 

[Wacopilot]

rltoma,
You flew an Albatross? When, where?

Pipeliner606,

The local ATP Inc uses our FBO facilities here in KLAL. We have had good luck with them. It seems like a class operation, a little expensive but you get what you pay for. Great Equipment.

 

[rltoma]

Yes, I got to fly it for 15 whole minutes tracking the GPS to palomar. Unfortunatly, at the time, I was a private pilot without my multi rating and the person flying left seat was the first officer (the Captain was sitting behind me) and not an multi instructor so I could not log it.
I had a blast and felt like a little kid on x-mas! My girlfreind took pictures of the aircraft awhile ago, so if I ever get her to put them on CD, i'll post them.
When I did my multi at ATP it was 1695.00 for 10hrs with an instructor. I did not think this was expensive at all, infact, I thought it was the best deal going, especially inlight of the fact that it's next to imposible to find any twin in S. Cal for under 175 an hr without an instructor. Yesterday infact, I flew a Seminole with a friend of mine who is a MEI and it was 165.00 an hour.
While i'm at it, maybe you can answer a question I have. When we flew yesterday, I sat left seat and my buddy (MEI) sat right. Heflew the first leg on a x-country we had planned and I flew the return leg. My question is, I logged 2 hours total time and 1 hour PIC since that was when i had actual control of the aircraft, did I log this correctly? Thanks rltoma

 

[340drvr]

I got my ATP/MEI awhile back with All-ATP's, thought they did a good job for a fair price. After shopping around a bit. they had one of the better prices going. I could have found cheaper hourly in a 1960's Apache somewhere, I suppose, but it didn't seem worth it. Their program was thorough and professional all the way. (No, I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV.....)

 

[Pipeliner606]

Thanks for the input gentlemen, I appreciate it. From everything I have read thus far, I think I will be pleased with ATP's training. Gonna go down to the Dallas location next week and check em out personally.

 

[mudkow60]

One of my buddies, who had mostly military helo time, did the ATP Multi add on program. He was hired by a regional carrier soon after. I guess they have a good rep. I was thinking of doing that for myself-he just beat me to it!