ATP Total CFI Program

skydriverdc6 · March 22nd, 2006, 11:21

I'm just curious what other folks opinion is of the feasibility of this course? I'm just an average student, haven't really flown much in the last 10 years but recently got my BFR and IPC done, and am planning on getting my Commercial Single add-on prior to taking this CFI program. It seems like 2 weeks for all three CFI's would be a brutal assault on anyone, is it really possible to pass these checkrides even if youre not a super pilot?

Thanks

GAPILOT · March 22nd, 2006, 13:11

It is fast, but if you just passed an IPC and BFR you should be ok. I passed all mine in the 2 weeks. Make sure you learn the book they send you over the seminole. Good luck.

Andy

nwa757 · March 22nd, 2006, 13:40

Its a good program, I was doubtful too but it worked well for me. You learn a ton in 2 weeks and your multi proficiency will increase as well.

Tram · March 22nd, 2006, 17:45

I think if you show up having flown a bit before you get there, you'll be fine..

We used to get some guys who hadn't flown in a "little bit" (always turned out to be a few years) minus a few hours they got to get "current" right before showing up.. Those guys always seemed to have a much less enjoyable time with the program than those who showed up and had been flying a bit before arriving..

BB300 · March 22nd, 2006, 21:02

Showing up Prepared AND Proficient for the program is essential. Your airplane handling and instrument procedures should be fairly solid before arriving. There will be time for touch-ups and any new info, but the time doesn't exist to teach a student how to fly. Keep in mind that just because you have a couple lines in your logbook saying you have a BFR & IPC doesn't automatically make you necessarily proficient. The "15 Hour Program" will give you extra time in the Seminole if you feel your multi/instrument skills are lacking, and this is a pretty good deal for the price. For the single engine training you're allotted 5 hours to include spin certification, and this is usually more than sufficient.

Just do what you can before you arrive that way you can focus on all of the new ground information, and just touch-up the flying. Studying the maneuvers ahead of time and knowing the configurations, execution, and recovery procedures will make life a lot easier.

Good Luck

skydriverdc6 · March 22nd, 2006, 21:04

What do you think the response would be if a person went to there local FBO and wanted to do their initial CFI in a twin? You think that the local FSDO would give the student a harder time than students who regularly do this at school like ATP? Or would it be about the same?

BB300 · March 22nd, 2006, 21:12

You wouldn't necessarily have a 'harder' time. It may be different for the FSDO only because they're not used to seeing it. There is definitely a wealth of information in the initial CFI because of the ground knowledge, and then there's the multi aerodynamics if you go that route. ATP trains a large number of students and works with the FSDO to ensure all facets of training are covered to standards and has a success rate to show it.

pscraig · March 23rd, 2006, 00:11

There's a often-overlooked benefit to getting the initial CFI in a twin: the checkride is easier. The oral is the same, but you don't do the eights-on-pylons, power off 180, lazy 8's, etc that you would do for a SEL rating. The MEI checkride is much simpler, focusing on basic airwork and Vmc-the stuff you did for your Commerical MEL checkride. When you add on the SEL rating to your CFI ticket, the oral is simple but the flight is longer since you now do all the airwork.

About the original question, yes, ATP does it every day. As a former instructor of that program, I'd suggest you fly as much as possible before you arrive. Do some XC for navigation, but go up and do lots of airwork-pretend you are on a checkride, having to teach someone how to do this stuff. When I taught the CFI program I had a lot of students who were great pilots, but just couldn't break down the maneuvers into pieces so they could be taught. That's the single biggest challenge of such a rapid program.

March 22nd, 2006, 11:21	#1
skydriverdc6 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 106	ATP Total CFI Program I'm just curious what other folks opinion is of the feasibility of this course? I'm just an average student, haven't really flown much in the last 10 years but recently got my BFR and IPC done, and am planning on getting my Commercial Single add-on prior to taking this CFI program. It seems like 2 weeks for all three CFI's would be a brutal assault on anyone, is it really possible to pass these checkrides even if youre not a super pilot? Thanks

March 22nd, 2006, 17:45	#4
Tram Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: KMSL Posts: 1,845	I think if you show up having flown a bit before you get there, you'll be fine.. We used to get some guys who hadn't flown in a "little bit" (always turned out to be a few years) minus a few hours they got to get "current" right before showing up.. Those guys always seemed to have a much less enjoyable time with the program than those who showed up and had been flying a bit before arriving.. __________________ I flew the 757-200 sim at NATCO DANGIT...ON ONE ENGINE OUT OF EAGLE COLORADO AND THEN CIRCUMNAVIGATED A THUNDERSTORM!!! And what do these PAX do?! Glare at me..

March 22nd, 2006, 21:04	#6
skydriverdc6 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 106	Initial CFI in a multi What do you think the response would be if a person went to there local FBO and wanted to do their initial CFI in a twin? You think that the local FSDO would give the student a harder time than students who regularly do this at school like ATP? Or would it be about the same?

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March 22nd, 2006, 13:11	#2
GAPILOT Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 158	It is fast, but if you just passed an IPC and BFR you should be ok. I passed all mine in the 2 weeks. Make sure you learn the book they send you over the seminole. Good luck. Andy

March 22nd, 2006, 13:40	#3
nwa757 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 75	Its a good program, I was doubtful too but it worked well for me. You learn a ton in 2 weeks and your multi proficiency will increase as well.

March 22nd, 2006, 21:02	#5
BB300 Newbie Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28	Showing up Prepared AND Proficient for the program is essential. Your airplane handling and instrument procedures should be fairly solid before arriving. There will be time for touch-ups and any new info, but the time doesn't exist to teach a student how to fly. Keep in mind that just because you have a couple lines in your logbook saying you have a BFR & IPC doesn't automatically make you necessarily proficient. The "15 Hour Program" will give you extra time in the Seminole if you feel your multi/instrument skills are lacking, and this is a pretty good deal for the price. For the single engine training you're allotted 5 hours to include spin certification, and this is usually more than sufficient. Just do what you can before you arrive that way you can focus on all of the new ground information, and just touch-up the flying. Studying the maneuvers ahead of time and knowing the configurations, execution, and recovery procedures will make life a lot easier. Good Luck

March 22nd, 2006, 21:12	#7
BB300 Newbie Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28	You wouldn't necessarily have a 'harder' time. It may be different for the FSDO only because they're not used to seeing it. There is definitely a wealth of information in the initial CFI because of the ground knowledge, and then there's the multi aerodynamics if you go that route. ATP trains a large number of students and works with the FSDO to ensure all facets of training are covered to standards and has a success rate to show it.

March 23rd, 2006, 00:11	#8
pscraig Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,021	There's a often-overlooked benefit to getting the initial CFI in a twin: the checkride is easier. The oral is the same, but you don't do the eights-on-pylons, power off 180, lazy 8's, etc that you would do for a SEL rating. The MEI checkride is much simpler, focusing on basic airwork and Vmc-the stuff you did for your Commerical MEL checkride. When you add on the SEL rating to your CFI ticket, the oral is simple but the flight is longer since you now do all the airwork. About the original question, yes, ATP does it every day. As a former instructor of that program, I'd suggest you fly as much as possible before you arrive. Do some XC for navigation, but go up and do lots of airwork-pretend you are on a checkride, having to teach someone how to do this stuff. When I taught the CFI program I had a lot of students who were great pilots, but just couldn't break down the maneuvers into pieces so they could be taught. That's the single biggest challenge of such a rapid program.