CFI ride in LAS

[Flyin Tony]

Anyone do there CFI ride in LAS area? Im thinking about heading up to sheble's sometime in early feb to get the CFI and maybe the CFII. Anything good or bad about Shebles? Also do they use FSDO or DEs for the ride around LAS?

Thanks for the help
Tony

 

[Vik]

I spoke to Valerie Sheble a few weeks ago and basically, starting Jan 1st, they have to go to the FSDO to schedule and if they cannot assign a FAA examiner, then you can use a DE. This is new starting Jan 2005.

I'd appreciate a report on the place if and when you do go. Any reason you're not going to All ATPs? Sounds a bit better structured than Sheble's.

 

[User546]

Sheble's is famous in the aviation world for "buying your ticket."

You give them the money, they'll give you a ticket.

My friend took and passed his ATP ride during one lap in the traffic pattern.

The owner was the designated examiner, so all the rides were with him. That might be (just speculating) why the FAA is doing what was mentioned in the above post starting Jan 05.

Just my .02

 

[joelo88]

I did my CFI-ME-IA stuff at All-ATPs last March in Vegas. For me, it was a great experience. You must show up knowing your stuff though. Frank(he's probably still there as he lives in Vegas), the CFI who does the initail CFI/ME(you do your initial in the PA44), is very demanding. When he signs you off, you're pretty much good to go. The main DE who they use is a great guy. I did my CFI/ME and II rides with him and it was a really good time. He can pretty much tell if you've got your stuff together and he's got some good stories and a lot of experience so ask him some questions.

just for some perspective so you know where i'm coming from i had about 700 hrs TT and 400 multi when I did the class

good luck bro

 

[Flyin Tony]

I would love to goto ALLATPs but I wont have any money to get my com Multi. Maybe my Mom or Dad can spot me a few bucks and let me get the com Multi and single in the same week. But if I do get my com multi and a few hours in a twin before I go get my CFI and II, I will be using ATPs.

I'd appreciate a report on the place if and when you do go. Any reason you're not going to All ATPs? Sounds a bit better structured than Sheble's.

As for Sheble's my CFI and now II friend used Shebles for his ifr com multi CFI and CFII. He likes the place, nothing bad to say, and you come home with your ratings. I also have another friend thats going there (I think hes there now) for his CFII and MEI. No one at my FBO have bad things to say.

 

[dalegribble]

You definitly do not "buy" anything at Sheble's other than quality training. Went there a good number of years ago for my ATP and it was a by the book thourough checkride. No surprises but no gimme.

 

[Vik]

This new rule is not specific to Sheble's only. Even the LAS location for All ATPs will be sending students to the FSDO first.

Sheble's is famous in the aviation world for "buying your ticket."

You give them the money, they'll give you a ticket.

My friend took and passed his ATP ride during one lap in the traffic pattern.

The owner was the designated examiner, so all the rides were with him. That might be (just speculating) why the FAA is doing what was mentioned in the above post starting Jan 05.

Just my .02

 

[pilotlbs]

Tony,
Hi there, I'm a flight instructor at the North Las Vegas Airport, and I did my Comm ME, and the flight instructor program at All ATP's. Great place to go. Even though I don't work at ATP's I have lunch with those guys about once every week. Great instructors and great environment. Now this is my personal opinion of course, but I would NOT got to Sheble's. They have a less than satisfactory reputation around the valley. I've met many people that have gone to Sheble's and left because they weren't satisfied with the training or equippment.
Dale, the training you recieved there I'm sure was superb, a good friend of mine went their a few years ago and he had great training also. However, over the past few years, there is new management and instructors, etc. that seem to have let the place go down hill. It's too bad, they used to have 2 great instructors that are no longer around. That's only what I've been told though.
Frank at ATP is awesome, he's unique, but a great instructor, and once you get to know him, he's quite funny. Kent Hemsley is a DE that works with ATP along with Andy Montoya, had rides with both of them, and couldn't complain one bit. I highly recommend ATP, if you have anymore questions about the Vegas valley send me an email or PM, I'll be happy to help you out as best I can. Take care!

Luke Simons

 

[Vik]

So whats changed Jan 2005? Everyone goes to the FAA for checkrides right? How is that working out for All ATPs?

Tony,
Hi there, I'm a flight instructor at the North Las Vegas Airport, and I did my Comm ME, and the flight instructor program at All ATP's. Great place to go. Even though I don't work at ATP's I have lunch with those guys about once every week. Great instructors and great environment. Now this is my personal opinion of course, but I would NOT got to Sheble's. They have a less than satisfactory reputation around the valley. I've met many people that have gone to Sheble's and left because they weren't satisfied with the training or equippment.
Dale, the training you recieved there I'm sure was superb, a good friend of mine went their a few years ago and he had great training also. However, over the past few years, there is new management and instructors, etc. that seem to have let the place go down hill. It's too bad, they used to have 2 great instructors that are no longer around. That's only what I've been told though.
Frank at ATP is awesome, he's unique, but a great instructor, and once you get to know him, he's quite funny. Kent Hemsley is a DE that works with ATP along with Andy Montoya, had rides with both of them, and couldn't complain one bit. I highly recommend ATP, if you have anymore questions about the Vegas valley send me an email or PM, I'll be happy to help you out as best I can. Take care!

Luke Simons

 

[tuna]

If you are going to check out Sheble's, stop and check DSA (desert Southwest Airlines). They are a small family type of place but, I did most of my ratings there. Their airplanes look ratty but, are well maintained. And if you can do your stuff with Chuck, you will learn alot more than anywhere else in the valley. he is a great guy.(He's been around since Fred Flintstone was riding in pterydactyls. sp?) If you do fly with him, tell him Charlie Tuna says hi!
Too bad you couldn't do your ride with Gerry Pennington. Great old guy, with alot of experience, and taught me something new, and very good, on each ride I did with him. But, unfortunately he passed away from cancer not too long ago

 

[dalegribble]

Is Kent still doing rides for Sheble? He did one of my rides when I was there many moons ago and I had a great experience with him. Top notch DE, too bad to hear that about Sheble, but based on past experience with them I would go back or refer them to anyone. Back in the day I was instructing we had a few All ATP "grads" start about the time I was leaving and based on the orientation "checkride" I gave them I was not impressed. I can say that I had a great student of mine that went to ATP's to finish up his ME CFII / M and he came out sharp.

To each his/her own. Sheble's was a relaxed family atmosphere, from what I understand ATP is a bit more rigid and standardized. Just remember that a good pilot can fly with or with out his tie or collared shirt. There will be plenty more time in your career(s) to wear what the "man" wants you to wear. Either way you go, aboveall else be safe but HAVE FUN!!! So many schools out there have taken the fun out of learning to fly, packed schedules do not allow for the hundred dollar hamburger experience. etc......

Last tip. I do not know if it is still there but have your instructor take you to A09 and stop in and check out the pilot supply shop run by two of the nicest ladies in the world. Stop in to A20 and checkout the airport pets and bathroom, look out for petroglyphs on the rocks enroute between HII and IFP too, lots of great scenery and local lore you can pick up while flying out there. There is so much more to flying than just practicing manuevers in the practice area, you will have more than your fill of trips to the practice area in back once you get your CFI done.

One thing about FSDO CFI rides, they will allow you to use a DE if there is more than a two week delay for them to do your ride. Sp if you keep trying to schedule it until you have a two week wait, then you can ask to go to a DE. DO NOT EVER DEAL WITH THE FAA UNLESS YOU HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE. At least that is how it used to work.

 

[JediNein]

Too bad you couldn't do your ride with Gerry Pennington. Great old guy, with alot of experience, and taught me something new, and very good, on each ride I did with him. But, unfortunately he passed away from cancer not too long ago

D***! Send my condolences to the family please. I did my commercial with him in 2000. He had some pretty interesting stories to tell about being an ASI.

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein