Career Pilot vs ATP

[michaelamcfarland]

I have been looking for a school to attend -- for those of you who have gone here what are the benefits of this location vs ATP. ATP costs about 10k less and the program is formatted around 90 days.

[wildwezul1]

Well Im not the best to ask, but I will put in my two cents. I went to CPS for all my ratings, in conjunction with UVSC. I am now a CFII with them... which is why I say Im not the best to ask, because I dont want you to think I am biased. But heres the deal, I looked at ATP before I came here, Both Schools offer same ratings and housing etc., but CPS is much more personalized for one. ATP is a huge Certificate mill from what I have seen. I personally know a Graduate from there that right now works at the local Gas station. ( and yes he has his CFI, CFII, and MEII but hes not current anymore)

I personally think there is a world of difference, in the two schools however as for rates, Career Pilot School covers Examiners fees, where as ATP does not. ( thats About 3k right there) Plus the $49,995 for the career program that ATP advertises is for if you already have your Private Pilot license.( you can call and confirm that, they will admit that other wise its another almost $9,000 to the price) Ours here with PPL is approx 49,900 so we are actually $95 cheaper there, and as I said earlier About 3k cheaper because we also include examiners fees.

thats my two cents... anyone else want to add anything?

[Michael95U]

Originally Posted by michaelamcfarland

I have been looking for a school to attend -- for those of you who have gone here what are the benefits of this location vs ATP. ATP costs about 10k less and the program is formatted around 90 days.

Michael:

Wildwezul got it partially correct. Here are our prices and how it breaks down as far as what is included:

Accelerated Career Pilot School (PPL-CFI/CFII/MEI)
Total Time: 293 Hours
Multi Engine: 103 Hours (ALL PIC; no safety pilot time)
10 Hours or Less in a Sim (mostly for the instrument and initial multi ratings)
Price: $57,900
That price includes all of the checkride fees, all written test fees, housing for 4 months in a one bedroom or two bedroom apartment (one person per bedroom is the rule), unlimited use of our sim for practice use, training materials, local charts, manuals, and all of the flight and ground instruction.

Why choose us? We limit student enrollment in order to provide the highest quality instruction. Instructors typically have no more than 2 students at one time. Our location is superb for training. While we don't utilize glass cockpit aircraft, the majority of our fleet has GPS.

Bottom line, we are a flight school that has academy type programs in a much more laid back setting.

Michael

[Patrick]

I think the best way to sum up the differences is by comparing quality of instruction and the end result. I have visited many FBOs, a few ATP locations, Flight Safety, etc. I will say, Flight Safety is a good product. Is it worth the cost of admission? I"m inclined to say no.

The best way I can describe my impression of ATP is the quickest/easiest/marketed as lowest cost and best chance of airline placement school out there. Their goal is to turn out the highest number of students who meet the minimum requirements for FO positions within the regionals. This mantra only serves as a self fulfilling cycle as it attracts a certain quality of student body. Does ATP make money? Absolutely. Are they a good business? Absolutely. Is it the best place to learn to fly? I'm inclined to think very much no. I think ATP can work well for someone who does well being self taught. If you are the kind of student that I can say "read chapters 4 and 5 of this book by tomorrow and we're going to go practice what you read in the air" and that works for you, you may do well at ATP. If you want real instruction, you are likely not going to get enough of it, and what you do get, is often by less than ideal CFIs. Keep in mind, you do not want to fly somewhere where the CFIs are more concerned about building their own time to get to an airline than they are about your learning curve. I've also met ATP instructors who frighten me when I think about the fact that they will soon be flying my girlfriend around on CRJs.

What I think really separates Career Pilot from the rest of the bunch is the quality of instruction, the dedication to the student, and the result of a student who leaves as a great pilot. Are we in business to make money? Of course. However, Michael and the rest of the staff have a dedicated and vested interest in making sure you leave the school as a great pilot. This is Michael's passion, he isnt doing this for his own benefit. He likes to watch you learn, and goes far out of his way to keep CFI's around who also care that you learn.

Thats what separates Career Pilot from ATP in my opinion.

Patrick

[killbilly]

Does CPS evaluate students for placement as instructors? Do you have a need/demand for instructors at present?

I would also like to know how your instructors are compensated, please.

[Michael95U]

Originally Posted by killbilly

Does CPS evaluate students for placement as instructors? Do you have a need/demand for instructors at present?

I would also like to know how your instructors are compensated, please.

We do evaluate students for instructor positions, though we do not guarantee a position at our school. We WILL however strive to place you at any number of excellent schools around the country. Our CFI turnover is usually very small, though I have had a couple of instructors depart in the last couple of months to charter operations.

As for compensation, I can say we provide a very comfortable salary. I am not of fan of publishing pay schedules online as I believe that information should be kept between the employer and the employee.

Michael

[wadetw]

Originally Posted by michaelamcfarland

I have been looking for a school to attend -- for those of you who have gone here what are the benefits of this location vs ATP. ATP costs about 10k less and the program is formatted around 90 days.

Michael,

First of all; congratulations on doing the research that needs to be done in order to find the best school. I am currently a student at CPS and was in your same shoes just a few months ago. I had no idea of where I wanted to learn to fly. First it was Delta Connection, but they were WAY too expensive!!! Next was ATP, and I have to admit, I liked what they had to say. I liked their track record with the airlines as well. What a great school, why not go there, well I will tell you why. ATP is in the business of getting through as many people as possible. Who cares if you are a good pilot, who cares if you get personal instruction? Well, CPS does. Mike, the owner and chief instructor for the school truly cares about you and you receiving quality instruction. Mike and the rest of the instructors will literally jump through hoops to cater to your specific needs. Why go to a pilot mill when you can receive a quality education from CPS. Comparing CPS to ATP is like comparing Harvard to JohnsonCountyCommunity College. I think the decision is a no brainer. Call Mike at the school, chat, and I know that you will make the correct decision.

Wade