Training @ ATP

[jim_c]

I'm interested in learning anything that anyone knows about training with ATP. I'd like to know if the training is organized....if the you can actually get all of your ratings for the price that they quote and how difficult it is to get on with them as a CFI after your training.

When I called their 800 number, they told me that it is common for graduates to work in their home office for a couple of weeks prior to going to one of their bases. Does anyone have any experience with this? How long does it take to get picked up by a regional after teaching at ATP? In other words, how long does it take to accumulate time as a CFI?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Buda6868]

I am currently getting my PPL with ATP, and transfer to their career program in August. They do quote one price and that is it. You will have to pay for 8 check rides at 350.00 a piece.

Hours to expect are 140 multi, plus or minus 5. 10 hours single and 50 hrs. simulator.

ATP makes most of their money on exams and atp certifications. Their career pilot program gives them a good base of instructors and they also fly their planes around the country for maintence etc.

They have been in business since 1983 and used to train mostly military for transition to civilian. Very disciplined program. No ground school so you have to teach yourself.

They do hire many instructors that go through their program, but you do have to go to their homebase first and wait for a transfer.
That time can go from a month to three months.

Bottomline: You can not beat all the multi time you get there. They are known throughout the aviation community and I have heard they have a good reputation for their program. If you get on as an instructor you get only multi time which will help immensly in the long run. Plan to instuct for 1-2 years to get at least 1200 hrs.

Thats what I have learned in thepast few months. I am sure there are many different opinions out there.

Good luck,

Buda6868

 

[stillaboo]

Plan to instuct for 1-2 years to get at least 1200 hrs.

It may be longer b/c of the state of the industry. Just don't jump in thinking you get the rateings, you get the CFI job, you hang 2 years, you get the right seat of an RJ. Just ask all the CFI's on this forum how easy it is, they'll tell you.

The most prolific poster on this board is a former CFI, never picked up even by a regional (not for lack of trying). There's no guarantees in life.

-Boo!

 

[Buda6868]

Stilboo is correst,

I am not saying you will get a FO in the RJ at 1200, but you might find other type work rather than CFI. One former ATP instructor at the FBO i work at just got a job flying corporate King Air and Citation, but he had inside connections. He also volunteered as co pilot out at DFW Simuflite and said it really helped his career.

Three other instructors at ATP Dallas all with around 900 hrs. multi feel very confident they will have offers in the next few months. The industry is in a huge slump, but you never know what could happen in the next few years. I try and stay positive because there is so much negativity on the boards and, justly so with the state of the industry.

Its a personal choice only you can make, just make sure you get all the information you can before you make that decision.

 

[flybub]

All the mulit time is great but you must be self motivated to get all the info in your brain. There is no ground school with ATP so everything in the books will come by way of studying on your own. It can be done if you can keep yourself motivated to keep learning. Good Luck!

 

[uscpilot]

Checkout Ari Ben Aviator in Ft Pierce FL. The price is competitive with ATP, and I believe you get more multi time. My brother is going there and has no complaints. This is not meant to dis ATP, it is just a good alternative. I am sure that there are people here actual experience as opposed to my anticdotal info. Make sure you shop around. Also be advised that some schools (not necessarly ATP) will bash their competition. Listen to what former students without a vested intrest in the company say. Also try to take a look at the school, and bring along an experienced pilot, it really cuts down on the sales BS they throw at you.
http://www.aribenaviator.com/
Good Luck

 

[rltoma]

I'll be doing the 10 hour multi add on in August. I will post my experience after all is said and done.

 

[kabz]

I did the 3 day multi add-on at Houston and it was great.

 

[Vne0]

I did my Multi Commercial Instrument with ATP in Jacksonville, FL and thought it was great. They sent me very intuitive training supplements that made the whole experience very easy!
You go, you pay, you're done,.. quickly. Can't beat it!