Atp cfi program

[jws3443]

Hey everyone I just finished up the Multi add on in Tampa and I was thinking about doing the CFI course in JAX I'm wondering if anyone knows how I could get a hold of the study materials before I schedule and pay the admissions deposit. My schedule is very up in the air at the moment finishing up school and work so I want to memorize everything prior to even signing up so if anyone can help me out with that I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

Joe

[crazyjeep]

If Jax is anything like my experience in ATL, there is no real "CFI" resources they give you. Other a small binder with a sheet explaining the CFI endorsements, some article on being a CFI, and 30 some odd pages attempting to give you something you can pass off as a syllabus.

As for the CFI training. Search for it. IMO you get what you pay for. I got my CFI on the first pass, but like many other students consider ourselves lucky. We just busted our butts to get the knowledge from the group.

If anything, ATP is an organization to get young like minded individuals together, do the bare minimums, and then the young like minded individuals pick up the slack as a group and do the job for ATP, and if they are lucky, they get out it alive.

[av8or91]

How is the Tampa location? Im looking to do my MEI there over thanksgiving break.

[crazyjeep]

When I was there last summer, they had the ATL location, JAX, and I think PHX or LAS I dont know on the west coast. It seemed to us, that the JAX CFI instructor basically only signed off the guys he knew would pass(we had a couple of guys from RIC spend two weeks down there with no sign off, and just told to go home, and these were good pilots too, one was my roommate, felt so bad for him). But then ATL pretty much paid an a CFI extra to sign us all off. Which I found amusing, because every RIC that went to ATL passed, but in JAX they wouldnt give them a signoff. More or less it was because the guy cherished his pass/fail rating.

I dont know about the Tampa thing, is that something new? JAX and ATL would do the CFI training, then contact the florida FSDO, and we would all get DPE's, I had Bill Blougher down at FLL, my buddy had pinkston(and he is OLD, my buddy thought he might die on the flight). Blougher was cool, flower print shirt, basically said over and over, dont drink the ATP koolaid, and he was right, now that I am out of the enviroment. Hence me on here showing folks there are other options than ATP, or other fast paced pilot mill.

[jws3443]

Originally Posted by av8or91

How is the Tampa location? Im looking to do my MEI there over thanksgiving break.

The Tampa location is good. Its at PIE in a pretty empty office building next to Signature FBO. Theres two instructors there who are pretty good as well. They have 2 '79 seminoles there, a 172 and a Frasca sim the examiner I had was really good as well. Overall not a bad location to go just make sure you know your stuff prior to starting (the instructors will like you a whole lot better). If i could do it again i definatly go back.

[eph292]

Originally Posted by jws3443

make sure you know your stuff prior to starting (the instructors will like you a whole lot better).

Couldn't agree more. For whatever reason, it seems that the add-ons at PIE don't even bother to look ATP's Seminole supplement. Don't do that.

The instructors at ATP Tampa are great. Rest assured, you'll be in good hands.

Also, if you enjoy "Borat," it'd be wise to let them know on day one =)

[Clocks]

Originally Posted by crazyjeep

It seemed to us, that the JAX CFI instructor basically only signed off the guys he knew would pass

I can't take issue with anything you've posted, it sounds reasonable based on my experience with ATP. But the above quote....uh yeah...a CFI only signing off people he knows will pass offends you? What do you do?

[SpiraMirabilis]

If you're fairly current in flying skill and knowledge then ATP's CFI course is a great value- however if you think you may need more then I would get your initial CFI at a local FBO at your own pace, then you can do the ATP MEI/CFII addon quickly.

[n6149s]

Originally Posted by jws3443

Overall not a bad location to go just make sure you know your stuff prior to starting (the instructors will like you a whole lot better).

This is because you learn everything by yourself and as a group. Instructors are there to get in a few milti hours and keep a high pass rating.

[n6149s]

Originally Posted by Clocks

I can't take issue with anything you've posted, it sounds reasonable based on my experience with ATP. But the above quote....uh yeah...a CFI only signing off people he knows will pass offends you? What do you do?

I think what crazyjeep was really getting at was if you attend the career program in jax and take the jax cfi course in jax or go to atl and take the course in atl, you will almost get an auto sign off. You will be treated a bit less fairly if you did not go to one of the cfi locations.

[Kleigh]

hahaha- the whole "from jax, favored by jax" is laughable. If you do even a little bit of research you will see that being from jax or atl doesnt really mean anything- not while I was there it didnt.

I hear so much criticism of ATP, but you have some guy only signing off the students who will pass, and he gets criticized????What kind of CFI would you want? Sign off anyone to be a "good guy" or something like that?

[SpiraMirabilis]

When I went through the FLL FSDO was breathing down ATP's neck about the CFI who was teaching the CFI school's pass rate, almost gave him a 709 ride. So, obviously he was a little more selective. You could argue that as a CFI you should never sign anyone off unless you're sure they're going to pass anyway, but realistically you're never SURE anyone is going to pass.

When you have a very good pass ratio it makes you feel a lot better about taking a chance on a guy who is within PTS but borderline, or someone within PTS but you can tell has a huge case of checkrideitis.

[Baronpilot244]

I told my instructor if he didn't sign me off I wouldn't like him anymore.........

Bp244

[n6149s]

Originally Posted by Kleigh

hahaha- the whole "from jax, favored by jax" is laughable. If you do even a little bit of research you will see that being from jax or atl doesnt really mean anything- not while I was there it didnt.

I hear so much criticism of ATP, but you have some guy only signing off the students who will pass, and he gets criticized????What kind of CFI would you want? Sign off anyone to be a "good guy" or something like that?

Just found it a bit ironic that when there are 7 people in a cfi class, and only the 2 from jax pass, everyone else takes an extra week and fails..not saying that happens every time, but that was my experience.

[Kleigh]

Well, you could look at it that way...

Or you could consider individual cases...

Or you could consider other classes where a Jax guy didnt make it...

Or, did it ever occur to you that maybe the Jax students were better prepared that week...

There are lots more options than just a Jax conspiracy....

[n6149s]

Originally Posted by Kleigh

Well, you could look at it that way...

Or you could consider individual cases...

Or you could consider other classes where a Jax guy didnt make it...

Or, did it ever occur to you that maybe the Jax students were better prepared that week...

There are lots more options than just a Jax conspiracy....

or you could look at it another way from listening to over 50 other peoples opinions.. but one thing is true, you will look at it completely different if you work there..