Good ATP Schools?

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03-23-2008, 09:11 PM

#21

milky

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Posts: 382

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ifleye

Sounds like Sheppard may be the way to go. Probably the cheapest too.

FlyHappy-
How much did that FBO charge to take your test? We have a Sylvan Learning center near my house that I think can give the tests. At least they did back in 96 when I took my ppl written.

I downloaded Sheppard on Friday and feel like I will easily get 100% tomorrow morning when I take it at a Lasergrade. I think it will be $80 for the test after $75 for Sheppard.

Now I just have to find a very military-friendly All-ATPs to get the practical. I hear Riverside is good... anybody have any experience there?

03-23-2008, 10:57 PM

#22

Starlifter

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Position: 737 FO/Capt/FO

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Tanker-driver

Anyone know of a good place to go get an ATP rating? I'm military and have never really flown light twins, so I'm looking for a place that will take this into account. Most (95%) of my experience has been in turbofan, EFIS equipped aircraft on jet routes with a good amount of time spent in terminal areas. I've looked at 'All ATPs' and they seem to have a pretty good program, but I've heard a horror story or two about military guys getting sent to the checkride and being hung out to dry because they didn't know the ins and outs of the GPS or weren't intimately comfortable with prop levers. Are there any military friendly schools out there?
On a related note; are there any military folks out there who have been through this process that can recommend some good gouge to prepare? I'm looking at taking some leave this coming summer to accomplish this, so I've got a few months. Should I just bury my nose in the FAR/AIM, or are there better things I could be doing with my time?
One last question for the civil or mil side: Does anyone know about converting a FAA ATP to an international license? I've heard that an FAA ATP counts as an ICAO ATP -- Can anyone confirm this? If that's true, then that leaves JAA. Are there any schools in North America that offer a conversion course? If so, what kind of a time/money investment am I looking at?

Sorry to be so long winded!! Any info available would be helpful.

Thanks!

Naples Flight Center in Florida might be able to give you some JAA info. MUCH @$$pain! I did the conversion in Europe while stationed here... Yes, expensive but bigger hurdle is even with JAA license one needs right to work in the EU.

Good luck,
Lifter

03-24-2008, 09:44 AM

#23

milky

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I took the ATP written at Lasergrade this morning. It cost $90. I got a 99%, but I should have gotten 100%. I went through it too fast, and I just put down the wrong answer on one of the questions that was in the Sheppard test bank. So, for $75 + $90, I used Sheppard and studied for about a day and a half and could have easily gotten 100%.

I will get about $40 back from Sheppard because one of the questions I got had different answers than the gouge on their software, and I told them of a test-bed question that I got. The correct answer was still easy to figure out since I had studied their gouge, but I'll take the money.

This is WAY easier than using a book, and they update their database as guys finish taking the tests finish and give them feedback, so the chances of you getting even one question wrong is pretty slim.

Still looking for gouge on military friendly ATP checkride places in California if anybody has any...

03-24-2008, 10:28 AM

#24

Tweet46

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SheppardAir rocks...a couple of nights studying and I got a 100 on the FE exam. Just wish I knew about them when I took my ATP written.

I don't know much about the JAA but in NZ/Aus you will have to convert your ATP over to their ATPL if you want to work there. Also you will need to establish your "residency / right to work" if you want to get a job there. Not easy or cheap.

03-24-2008, 05:26 PM

#25

BrutusBuckeye

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Joined APC: May 2007

Position: C-17A IP

Posts: 53

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoddardRocket

Tanker-driver,

I used to fly tankers at McConnell and now fly T-1s at Columbus. Check out this school here in Columbus:

http://www.accessibleaviation.com/

It is owned by a retired AF guy who is a T-37 sim instructor. It is a little bit cheaper than All ATPs. It is a very laid back program, and the check pilots are very big picture. I just did my ATP written, FE written, and ATP checkride with them. They have good test prep software and the checkride was the easiest checkride I've ever had. My only complaint is that being so laid back they kind of dragged the program out for me. But I think its mainly because I live here. I have known lots of people who flew in here from out of town and got done with the program in 4 or 5 days.

Good Luck!

I know who you are talking about. He's a good guy and I have a good friend that used his course recently. He ended up getting hired at Delta and also had an offer from AirTran. He said the program was well done and the folks there were great to work with.

03-24-2008, 07:43 PM

#26

AggiePilot

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Position: T-6/Rear Cockpit (most of the time)

Posts: 30

Sheppard Air and Harry Bishop

I used Shepppard air for the test prep. It worked great.

PM me or call baseops or any of the Sqs at McGuire to find more info on Harry who does checkrides on the weekend. Because of his other job he can't charge you a fee. "Tipping" is customary for this type of checkride.

My ATP totals:

Sheppard Air test prep: 75
Test proctoring center fee: 75
Airfare from OKC to PHI: 300 (XC CT in the T-6 was cancelled by new DO)
Airplane rental: 325 (650 split between two examinees)
Tip: 300
Total: 1075

Easy checkride. Easy and educational ground eval.

Regards,
AggiePilot

03-25-2008, 06:28 AM

#27

dannolars

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Quote:

Originally Posted by AggiePilot

Being "local" here at McGuire I totally agree, this is probably the best deal out there hands down. I did it and have zero regrets.

03-25-2008, 07:31 PM

#28

Ifleye

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Position: KC-10 IP

Posts: 29

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannolars

Being "local" here at McGuire I totally agree, this is probably the best deal out there hands down. I did it and have zero regrets.

I've heard that from more than a few dudes.

03-26-2008, 02:07 PM

#29

FlyHappy

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Ifleye

I don't remember how much it cost to test -- it wasn't very expensive. I think the FBO I went to was through CATS (http://www.catstest.com/index.html) -- I see on their website they offer a $10 discount for AOPA members. There is also Laser Grade (http://www.lasergrade.com/index.html). I think FBOs that offer testing are through one of those two companies. It's been a few years, but if I remember correctly you registered for the test through the website then showed up at the FBO to take it. The only important thing is to make sure you are signing up for the Pt 121 ATP written and not the Pt 135 ATP written since the test banks are different.

03-26-2008, 02:36 PM

#30

beis77

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Quote:

Originally Posted by AggiePilot

That's funny; I think I flew with Harry back in '99. I was casual at McGuire and did my IFT at the aero club there on base prior to UPT. Harry was the manager on base. I heard that the club has since been shut down (years ago) by the wing CC.

-Sheimer