My ATP update- 3 months in the program

[jetguy35]

Well, I am now a Private Pilot: Single Engine Land, Multi Engine Land and Instrument. I started the program February 6th. I got my single engine rating March something. I got my multi engine rating on April 13th. I just got my Instrument rating on May 7th. The program is flying by. It's a lot of studying but if you are ready and dedicated, you should have no problem. I've only seen one bust here in Panama City. The bust was my instrument partner. He took his instrument the day before me and busted. That was the first bust i've seen in 3 months. Hopefully he'll pass his recheck. But there's my update for you guys!

Ben

[ry28]

whats up jet, wonderin if you could fill me in on atp and the location since you are currently attending. you can pm me or post her

[MaxBurn]

Yeah Jet can you fill us in more on ATP? I'm in Dallas and on the fence since they up'd their price. Going crazy each time I see one of their planes fly over.

[jetguy35]

Well, Panama City is a pretty good location from my experience so far. They really have been working hard lately at getting people done fast and they have incorporated an online schedule system so that you can check when you fly next. The online system is nice but they need to get a little bit more efficient with it. As for the programs, you will hear the most complaints coming out of the students in the Private Pilot program usually. The reason for their complaints is that there happens to be usually at least 2 classes of student pilots fighting over planes and instructors. Everyone wants to fly right away. Trust me, they will get you flying. They usually try to fly the people who have been there longer first. Everyone gets their time though. I have heard horror stories from people at other locations because of the locations getting so backed up with private pilot students. Like 4 months in the Private Pilot program... Yikes!! Here at Panama, that has not happened. Everyone has finished the Private program on time, if not earliar. A lot of complaints or people that have quit are usually from people that have money problems or family at home. I've seen how a $70,000 loan and a family at home will make some people go crazy or stress out. I'm glad I'm 21 and don't have a girlfriend or wife or kids. I can see that it would be tough being away. I have no problem being away. I like it here and don't mind it too much. Except for the smell from the paper mill that comes around every once in a while. The smell is pretty gross. If you come here, you'll know the distinct smell is the paper mill.

The career program is more of some sort of beast that needs to be tamed. I'll explain. Sometimes you get really good instructors and sometimes you don't. So far, pretty much all of my instructors know how to fly well and are good at teaching while in the plane. So as pilots, they are good. But on the ground, some of them lack the ability to teach ground. And i'm not saying that they are all dumb, I am saying that a lot of the instructors are lazy and want you to learn most of the information on your own. Which sucks but it can be done. I guess they are trying to teach you the values of not being spoon fed every piece of information. That can be good and bad i think. Luckily I got a great instructor for my Multi Engine training and he taught awesome ground. Needless to say, I dominated the oral. And now I even help teach my buddies who are just starting in the Seminole. Everywhere from the Janitrol gas combustion heater to a lesson on SMACFUM or PAST! Haha... But for my instrument training, I got a different instructor. He flies great but does not really want anything to do with teaching ground. So I taught a lot of stuff to myself. You should have seen me on my checkride day, I was pretty unsure about the oral. In the end, my DE said that I did excellent on the oral and that I am very smart! The flight went really well too. I have had the same examiner for all three of my checkrides now. I really like the guy. He really has a passion for flying and helping us in our aviation careers.

So that is a little description from me about ATP in Panama City. If you want more info, feel free to ask. I just went on a little rant there and was merely spitting out my first thoughts that came to mind. I'm sure I have more insights but I will wait for any questions before I say anymore. And my comments above about people with families quiting or stressing out. That's purely from what I have seen. I'm not trying to say that everyone is like that. So its not fact. I'm sure single guys like myself have quit the program too. In fact my buddy almost did back in the private program because they weren't flying a lot right away. Now he is a Private pilot working on his multi and he loves it. I think he's glad he stayed.

Peace,

Ben