Pros And Cons Of Atp Flight School?
05-23-2007, 02:33 PM
#1
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Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: Chair Flying
Posts: 257
Pros And Cons Of Atp Flight School?
I know we have kicked this subject around numerous times...for those of you who feel this subject have been exhausted...my apologies.
I have heard alot of good things about ATP flight school and some bad things. Alot of you whole heartidly endorse the program, others say it is over priced and it is a "named brand" school that commands higher costs. The people on the CON side of ATP say that you can get your ratings for a fraction of the cost at your local FBO. The pros argument is that you get to the regionals alot quicker.
Up until yesterday, I was sold on the idea of going to ATP flight school. I live in Hawaii and I made a special trip to PHX to tour the facility. I had a great tour, the guys there were friendly and explained everything in fine detail. They answered all my questions. When it comes to cost...I have to disagree with alot of you who push for the local FBO route. I got my PPL at my FBO and I thought it was pretty expensive. I almost paid $10k on not along the traning, but for the materials, pilot accesories etc. Now, I know alot of you are gasping right now and think that I got ripped off...this is true, I feel like I have been had. I already had prior flight experience at another part 141 school before commiting at FBO. The FBO charges $135/hr for cessna 172. $280/hr for piper aztec. They charge $50/hr for instuctor, wheather it be ground or dual time in the air. On top of all of this, we still have to scramble to reserve a time slot becuase they only have 1 mulit a/c and 2 C172's. I wonder if the high prices have anything to do with this school being a Cessna Pilot Center?
I figure, if im going to spend close to $50k at FBO, why not go to a school that has all the equipment...and the "airline style" training such as ATP. How are you guys getting all your training at FBO for 20k? Is it becuase this is Hawaii and everything here is overpriced?
I have heard alot of good things about ATP flight school and some bad things. Alot of you whole heartidly endorse the program, others say it is over priced and it is a "named brand" school that commands higher costs. The people on the CON side of ATP say that you can get your ratings for a fraction of the cost at your local FBO. The pros argument is that you get to the regionals alot quicker.
Up until yesterday, I was sold on the idea of going to ATP flight school. I live in Hawaii and I made a special trip to PHX to tour the facility. I had a great tour, the guys there were friendly and explained everything in fine detail. They answered all my questions. When it comes to cost...I have to disagree with alot of you who push for the local FBO route. I got my PPL at my FBO and I thought it was pretty expensive. I almost paid $10k on not along the traning, but for the materials, pilot accesories etc. Now, I know alot of you are gasping right now and think that I got ripped off...this is true, I feel like I have been had. I already had prior flight experience at another part 141 school before commiting at FBO. The FBO charges $135/hr for cessna 172. $280/hr for piper aztec. They charge $50/hr for instuctor, wheather it be ground or dual time in the air. On top of all of this, we still have to scramble to reserve a time slot becuase they only have 1 mulit a/c and 2 C172's. I wonder if the high prices have anything to do with this school being a Cessna Pilot Center?
I figure, if im going to spend close to $50k at FBO, why not go to a school that has all the equipment...and the "airline style" training such as ATP. How are you guys getting all your training at FBO for 20k? Is it becuase this is Hawaii and everything here is overpriced?
05-23-2007, 03:37 PM
#2
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Joined APC: Jan 2007
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Posts: 353
Last time I was in Hawaii I wanted to take a few guys from my unit up flying...when I called the flight school an older 172 was 155/hr...and the instructor was 55/hr. I told the dude he was crazy if he thought I was spending that kinda money. It wasn't even an SP. He said well this is Hawaii, we are the only flight school on the island and we can charge whatever we want. His attitude itself kinda turned me off. I'd rather went a 172 in the 48 for 72/hr. CFI 25, advanced 35.
In some parts of the states it's very easy to get everything for 20K at an FBO. HI was expensive with just about everything...wasn't impressed. The rental rates for diving were rediculous...took a while to find a place that was reasonable.
In some parts of the states it's very easy to get everything for 20K at an FBO. HI was expensive with just about everything...wasn't impressed. The rental rates for diving were rediculous...took a while to find a place that was reasonable.
05-23-2007, 08:39 PM
#4
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Position: JS32 FO
Posts: 848
I've talked to some of my buddies who went through ATP for their CFI, CFII, and MEI and they said they don't feel nearly prepared enough to teach after getting their certificates. No one feels perfect when you get to Instructor, but they had hardly any experience teaching students. If you want to just make the airlines, then that's okay. But if you want to be a good instructor along the way, ATP might not be the best, unless you stay at ATP.
05-23-2007, 08:54 PM
#5
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Joined APC: Nov 2005
Position: UPS 757/767 Capt ONT
Posts: 4,357
"But if you want to be a good instructor along the way, ATP might not be the best, unless you stay at ATP"
Even though I recommend ATP for the CFI's vs a small FBO, I can't really disagree with the above post. Larger academies who pump out a lot of CFI's at least know how to get a guy through it. Does that make you ready to teach new folks while going from PPL to CFI in three months? I think not.
Even though I recommend ATP for the CFI's vs a small FBO, I can't really disagree with the above post. Larger academies who pump out a lot of CFI's at least know how to get a guy through it. Does that make you ready to teach new folks while going from PPL to CFI in three months? I think not.
05-23-2007, 11:08 PM
#6
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Posts: 848
Small FBO's are a crapshoot. But truthfully, it's all about your instructor. If you learn from a CFI who is a great instructor, or who works with a lot of CFI applicants you're bound to learn more than a fresh 2 year 200 dual-given CFI.
05-24-2007, 12:24 PM
#8
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Posts: 2,242
I've talked to some of my buddies who went through ATP for their CFI, CFII, and MEI and they said they don't feel nearly prepared enough to teach after getting their certificates. No one feels perfect when you get to Instructor, but they had hardly any experience teaching students. If you want to just make the airlines, then that's okay. But if you want to be a good instructor along the way, ATP might not be the best, unless you stay at ATP.
If the FAA says you're ready - you are ready to teach/ fly 121.
-LAFF
