Going to ATP

[MitchB-TX-708]

my name is mitch i was a flight attendant for shuttle america then on to south west airlines found out how caddy some flight attendants were so i put my 2 weeks in decided im thinkin about flying in the cock pitt now i have no flight experience any advice?

[ASA Matt]

Hey Mitch!

I'm quite familiar with your situation, actually. My fiancé was a flight attendant for America West before she became a pilot for ASA. She wanted first to see if she would like the lifestyle. She did and..well, the rest is history. You've already got some great experience having been a flight attendant for both a regional and major airline.

You’re starting in essentially the same position I was in. I graduated from college with a BA and no flight experience whatsoever. The first step is to see whether flight training is feasible for you. I'm sure you've figured out that it takes large amounts of time and money. If you can afford to give up both of those, the next step is deciding what program is right for you.

As you may have already found, there are hundreds of flight schools out there. If your goal is to get to the airlines, then it pretty much depends on what you want out of a training program. For me, I wanted to get to the right seat of an airliner as quickly and most cost effectively as possible. ATP was, and still is, one of the best options as far as that's concerned. Not everyone prefers the "trial by fire" approach, however.

You may want to go out to your local FBO and take a "discovery flight." See how comfortable you are "behind the wheel." Do you have any post high school education? While college isn't required to be an airline pilot, you may want to consider a degree program as part of your flight training. Where do you live now? What is your ultimate goal?

Look forward to hearing from you! Thanks for the post!

>Matt

[TerryN-FL-608]

Hey Matt,

Been a while since I last posted, how are things? Thank you for answering my question. Yeah the Kings Private Pilot DVD is very helpful. I'm also getting the Sportys Private Pilot DVDs. I've seen in a lot of reviews that these are very good, and possibly better than king schools. I just got my loan papers in the mail a couple days ago. I was a little intimidated at first by the cost of the loan. But after careful thinking I thought well I will be paying a lot no matter where I go. So I got the loan papers and sent them back signed the same day. I'm all prepared, I've got my passport, First class medical, headset, kneeboard. All I really need to do is get my Written Test done, which I plan on doing in a couple of weeks. I've got the Piper Seminole Supplement Training printed out and am reviewing that. While at training is most of the training going to be done in the Seminole? And how often in the Cessna and Diamond? Thanks.

-Terry

[ASA Matt]

Terry,

Things are good! ASA seems to be doing alright considering the industry these days. Schedules for next month are still pretty good.

Good work with the DVDs. Get that written out of the way--you won't regret it.

As for the loan--trust me, know one hates parting with money more than I do. Just consider it as an investment in your future. You'll get your money's worth, I assure you of that.

For the private, you'll be in either the Cessna or the Diamond. Both are great airplanes. Following the private, you'll be spending all your time in the Seminole until the very end, when you add a single-engine rating to your commercial pilot and CFI certificates. One of the advantages of ATP's program is the multiengine time. While many other programs use a single-engine aircraft to train for commercial and CFI initial checkrides, ATP uses the Seminole. What that means for you is more of the multiengine time that airlines are looking for. You'll enjoy it!

>Matt

[TerryN-FL-608]

Hi Matt,

Glad things are going good.

I just took the practice test on the Sportys DVD. The test alloted me 2 and a half hours to complete the test. I answered all questions in about 25 minutes. A couple of the questions particularly Navigation I guessed on because I hadn't gone into depth much in that area. But after completing the exam I scored an 83. Not bad I think. But after reviewing the questions I got wrong, I realized I could have gotten in the higher 80s maybe even a 90 if I had payed attention more. lol. I've been studying about everyday, I'm pretty sure I can ace this test in a couple of weeks. If I take the written and pass it but its not the score I was aiming for, can I retake it and will the next score supercede the preceding score? Thanks.
-Terry

[ASA Matt]

Terry,

Sounds like you're not going to have a problem passing the test. I would definitely try to get the highest score possible, though, since examiners can ask you questions as part of the oral on the subject areas you missed on the written test. You'll be busy enough during the oral--you don't want them questioning you about the written test, believe me.

As for retaking it to try and score higher, if I remember correctly, you can retake it immediately if you fail, but if you passed, you have to wait six months before you can retake it and the second score is your permanent one, regardless of whether or not it's higher than the previous one. In other words, my advice to you is, make sure you're as prepared as possible before you take the test.

Keep me posted!

[TerryN-FL-608]

Hey Matt,

Thank you for the advice. Do you know if the Piper Seminole will be flown during the PVT course, or is that for the ACCP phase? I've printed out the Seminiole Supplement training packet, but I'm wondering if I should be studying for that, or does that come after I complete the PVT phase? Thanks.

[TerryN-FL-608]

.....Also is ATP a Part 141 or Part 61 Flight school?

[ASA Matt]

The Seminole is flown exclusively during the ACPP. The first stage of the ACPP is adding a multiengine rating to your private pilot certificate. This is when you're introduced to the Seminole. Don't bother with the supplement until you start the career program. Believe me, you'll have plenty to look at throughout the private program.

ATP is a Part 61 flight school. That's how you're able to get all your certificates and ratings in 150 days. With a Part 61 program, there is far less structure mandated by the FAA which allows the flight school to tailor the program as ATP has in order to get as much done as possible in the shortest amount of time. This often times takes more work on the part of the student. That's you!

>Matt

[TerryN-FL-608]

Hi Matt,

Alright I see you will be overnighting in GNV I think on the 16th. Awesome, I'll be working the gate closing that day. I guess I'll see you when you get in.
-Terry