ATP

[GregoryB-RI-608]

Hey Dan,

Hope you're having a good weekend. I just had some questions in regards to your experiences at ATP. I'm looking into the 90 day ATPP and want to gather as much info as possible prior to committing. Did you complete that particular program or another? Anyways here are some questions for you in regards to ATP and the 90 day program.

- What does the schedule look like? Is it 5 days or 7 days a week? Typically how many hours a day did you spend at the airport? And how much of that time was spent flying? Also, how much more time at home studying?

- How would you grade the instruction you recieved at ATP?

- Did you complete the program in the time advertised and at the cost they quoted you?

- One of the things that seems to set ATP apart from other flight schools is the ME time acquired during training. Did you find this to be advantageous?

- Did you flight instruct at ATP after completing the program? If so, for how long?

- Finally, would you recommend attending ATP?

Hope I didn't bombard you with too many questions. No rush on getting back to me- whenever you have time.

Thanks,
Greg

[Corporate Dan]

Hi Greg. I did get my private license on my on at my local FBO but then I did the 90 day Airline Training program.



- What does the schedule look like? Is it 5 days or 7 days a week? Typically how many hours a day did you spend at the airport? And how much of that time was spent flying? Also, how much more time at home studying?

The schedule for the 90 day was pretty much something everyday. Whether it was ground school, flying or flying the simulator. And then also studying on top of that. I was assigned 1 instructor and we met everyday. The program is laid out in a certain way. (I think you can look it up on the ATP website) So my experience was everyday with only a day off here and there. Be sure to check out the schedule though. There was a time during the "cross country" phase where I was flying about 5 hours everyday with another student all over the U.S.

- How would you grade the instruction you recieved at ATP?

I would grade the instruction as excellent at ATP. Over the years they have really refined the schedule and the timing between ground school, flying, checkrides, etc. In the beginning I did not like the instructor that I was assigned so I just talked to another instructor and I was changed to a guy that I ended up learning a lot from. I think that is a testament to them trying to please the students and the students having the luxury of not being stuck with someone they don't get along with.

- Did you complete the program in the time advertised and at the cost they quoted you?

I completed the 90 day program in 84 days at the exact price they quoted me.

- One of the things that seems to set ATP apart from other flight schools is the ME time acquired during training. Did you find this to be advantageous?

I can not stress enough how important having that ME time is. Instructors at my original FBO who I am still friends with had 1500-2000 hours of cessna time and only a few hours of ME time (that school didn't have a twin engine airplane) who couldn't get on with any regionals because they didn't meet the minimum ME time. They instructed for many months just getting single engine time. I had 586 hours when I got hired. 400 of ME time and only instructed for 6 months. I hope that is a good example as to the importance.

- Did you flight instruct at ATP after completing the program? If so, for how long?

When I finished the ATP program I put in my resume to ATP and did not hear anything so I started instructing back at my local FBO. A month later I got a call from ATP and the next week I was instructing for ATP in multi-engine airplanes.


- Finally, would you recommend attending ATP?

I would highly recommend ATP to anyone serious in becoming professional pilot. The style of their training matches the style of airline training and got me very well prepared for the real thing. Also, without the short amount of time that it took through ATP, the ME hours I gained and the fixed cost, I would not have ended up where I am today. I owe a lot of it on the luck that I chose ATP back when I did. I cannot say enough good things about ATP and if you see their track record of how many people they have gotten to the airlines from either 75 hours or starting at 0 hours, it's astounding. I would recommend talking to instructors at your local FBO and finding out their story and even what they recommend you do.

Hope this helps.

take care,

Dan

[GregoryB-RI-608]

Thanks Dan. I really appreciate your input!

Greg

[Corporate Dan]

Anytime Greg. Have a great 4th of July!

Dan