Interview Completed

[SRA_kbad]

Just thought I'd ring in and let ya'll know that I did my ACPP interview in Arlington, Tx this past Saturday. It was a breeze and I'm really looking forward to attending the Las Vegas campus in late March/early April of next year. If anybody has any advise on anything, I surely would appriciate it. The LV location seems real busy.
Thanks again.

[meyers9163]

Sounds good, best of luck man.... I'm sure some would like to know, sallie mae or other source of financing?

[SRA_kbad]

Sadly enough, Sallie mae. I know... I'm already depressed over it.
I'm still in the process of milking my first SM loan for my PPL. Its been four years and the principal has only dropped 1000 bucks.

It would be nice if I could use some of my VA bennies though

[meyers9163]

Yiikes! Hey well if this is the route that's best for you, best of luck! Either way best of luck and have fun with it! No need to think about those payments while you are learning! Enjoy and have fun!

[JEP]

Originally Posted by pilotkid24

Sadly enough, Sallie mae. I know... I'm already depressed over it.
I'm still in the process of milking my first SM loan for my PPL. Its been four years and the principal has only dropped 1000 bucks.

It would be nice if I could use some of my VA bennies though

This may be a dumb question, but if you had VA bennies available to you, why would you choose ATP, a school where you could not use them?

[meyers9163]

which ones are available at this time, Aviator and Skymates just on this forum right?

[SpiraMirabilis]

I'm pretty pro-ATP myself but if I had the GI bill available I would have never came to ATP. I like ATP but I like ~$25,000 or so better.

[meyers9163]

If you have the VA Bennies you might want to look into those. Aviator I know has a program for that. Just a thought. But if ATP is wha tyou want by all means do it!

[SRA_kbad]

Here's some numbers that Captain Bob ran for me. I crunched some numbers on my own as well and came up with similar results.

Hi Ken,
At this time the Government only allows Part 141 Schools to utilize GA bennies. ATP is Part 61, and the most simple response that I can give you as to why ATP is not Part 141 is... In order to be Part 141... you must offer it at all of your "campuses". At this time... with the number of locations that ATP has (20+) it's a physical impossiblity to get them all 141 due to staffing and attendance at many of the smaller locations.
Last I heard... they actually have a 141 program ready to go... if they can get an exception. Possibly offering 141 at maybe the larger career pilot locations. But... it is a red-tape/paperwork nightmare to get the certification to begin with... let alone an exception.
Something to think about though... ATP's (part 61) price of $45k with no VA discount versus FSI's (part 141) price of @ $81k+.
ATP: Fixed price $45k, Done in 90 days, 140 Multi, 3 hours Jet, unlimited SIM and instructor access, Free Housing...
FSI: $33k after GA bill (non fixed price), up to 1 year to complete, 67 hours multi, 0 Jet, charged extra for additional sim/instructor time, housing not included...
So... we are talking a difference of around $12K. But... the Multi time difference at a conservative $150/hr is almost $11k alone... in addition to the additional time (almost 9 months) you are spending as a student versus as an instructor who can be getting paid to build time.
I fully realize too that there are a number of 141 schools that do not cost what FSI does... however... with each one of those (including FSI) those stated costs are not "Fixed" like ATP's. So it in entirely possible to go above and beyond those quoted prices.

Also... I'm going to be stationed at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas early next year. I'll be a reservist, so I'll have plenty of time to complete the 3 month program with ATP. This way, I'll have the complete GI Bill to finish my BA degree.
What do you all think?
Thanks for the imput

[Captain_Bob]

Good idea using it to get the degree... Is there a MAX amount you can use the GI Bill for?

Bob

[SRA_kbad]

Originally Posted by Captain_Bob

Good idea using it to get the degree... Is there a MAX amount you can use the GI Bill for?

Bob

Yeah, I'm not sure of the exact amount. Somewhere around $38,000.
It sure is a nice chunk of change. Its good up to 10 years after I separate from the Air Force. And they're also talking about allowing dependents to utilize it if you don't. My Wife would like that

[CaptainChris87]

howd it go, Congratulations! know the supplament and salle mae does not lock in interest rates. study hard, and get ready to be exhausted.