Accelerated Flight Programs

[Otto123]

Good evening,

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with accelerated flight programs? What I have found is there are really two that are recognized, Double Eagle Aviation in Tucson and Sunstate Aviation in Orlando.

I have everything I need to fulfill my commercial, minus polishing the maneuvers and taking the oral and practical exams. Is it worth the money to go to these places and finish in a weeks time, or are the frowned upon in the industry when trying to go acquire the first flying job?

Thanks.

[Capt. Caucasian]

Dude, you are forgetting the biggest behemoth of them all - ATP (Airline Transport Professionals, www.allatps.com).

I went there back in the mid-'90s. Didn't do any harm to me. Actually helped a little. Of course, when I went there it was "only" 20 grand and now it is triple the price.

No one cares where you did your instruction.

[Otto123]

I didn't forget ATP and I do know they are a well respected school throughout their locations in the country. I just didn't realize that they actually have accelerated programs? When I say accelerated, I mean 4-5 days for the commercial and 5-7 days for the CFI. Does ATP have programs like that? And if they do, please tell me the locations because I would be willing to contact them and set something up with them.

Thanks.

[Wolfy]

ATP doesn't offer an accelerated commercial like you're talking about. In my experience, people don't really care where you got your ratings. They do care how well you fly though, so it's important to get good training.

[Otto123]

I agree, it is the quality of flying that is important and I do believe that I have gotten that from my training. I had to take some time off due to work, so now I am just ready to get back, master the flight maneuvers and get my commercial without going back through a 141 course perse and have to pay for a bunch of hours when I don't really need them.

[PatrickCPS]

CFI in 7 days is REALLY tough, I'd say almost impossible. Commercial in 4 days is doable IF you come prepared. Drop me a PM if you'd like to see what we can do for you here.

[BCTAv8r]

Doesn't seem too fair for your future students to get your CFI in a week. Maybe some already have the right stuff, but can you really learn how to be an effective instructor in such a short time?

[Polar742]

It took me almost an entire summer during college to write my lesson plans. I'm glad I did. The amount of preperation that goes into your lesson plans prepare you quite well for your oral.

7 Days, I'd be VERY impressed....

[minitour]

Originally Posted by Polar742

It took me almost an entire summer during college to write my lesson plans. I'm glad I did. The amount of preperation that goes into your lesson plans prepare you quite well for your oral.

7 Days, I'd be VERY impressed....

7 is enough time, but the "student" needs to have an excellent knowledge level and the written done going into it.

Don't think you can show up fat dumb and happy and 7 days later leave as a CFI. It won't happen.

-mini

[Otto123]

All good points for sure. I have been concerned with the accelerated CFI program feeling that it may not give me enough knowledge to be a good teacher. I do agree, that the commercial should be able to be done within a short period of time. I really only have to polish my maneuvers and feel I am ready for the oral...the written is already done.

But I do take your advice seriously, I am starting to think otherwise to the accelerated CFI programs. I am not really sure they are conducive to becoming a good flight instructor?

[Capt. Caucasian]

It took me ninety days from multi-private all the way to CFI, II, MEI. I then instructed for three years (that was the going rate back then) and had a 100% pass rate. Accelerated or not, I still don't think it matters.

If you really want to be flexible and train at your own pace (even if that is just seven days) go to a FBO flight school, grab an instructor, and go fly your butt off. Just get the checkride scheduled in advance. I did that for some students a few times.

edit: I just checked ATP's website and I see that they no longer offer individual ratings. I know they used to. Might try calling them and talking to Jim. You might be able to work something out. Big upside is that it is all twin.

[Maurus]

Originally Posted by Capt. Caucasian

It took me ninety days from multi-private all the way to CFI, II, MEI. I then instructed for three years (that was the going rate back then) and had a 100% pass rate. Accelerated or not, I still don't think it matters.

If you really want to be flexible and train at your own pace (even if that is just seven days) go to a FBO flight school, grab an instructor, and go fly your butt off. Just get the checkride scheduled in advance. I did that for some students a few times.

edit: I just checked ATP's website and I see that they no longer offer individual ratings. I know they used to. Might try calling them and talking to Jim. You might be able to work something out. Big upside is that it is all twin.

Accelerated is not bad, but if they are super-accelerated to 7 days, that is when they will get a bit hairy. I did my CFI-CFII in a month.

[DE727UPS]

"I am starting to think otherwise to the accelerated CFI programs. I am not really sure they are conducive to becoming a good flight instructor?"

I've got no problem with accelerated training. My problem is when you accelerate everything to min time and then go right out and try to instruct. Getting a rating fast is fine but to go out and start teaching after doing all your ratings in 90 days is less than ideal.

[Otto123]

I totally agree with you Yoda. I think I am personally in the position to be able to do the fast track Commercial portion because I have kept up with my studies and really only have the flying to do. But the Instructor ticket I do agree should not be fast tracked. Like myself, I strive to find an instructor that will give me the most information and the best flying capabilities when hiring them from a school or privately. I can only return that to those that I may teach in the future.

So that is a good point, thank you. I have only posed the question of accelerated because I have only taken some time away from flying due to work. But prior to taking that hiatus, I was very close to finishing the Commercial ticket. I have kept up on my studies. Therefore, getting back into now is just a matter of perfecting the maneuvers.

[Capt. Caucasian]

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

I've got no problem with accelerated training. My problem is when you accelerate everything to min time and then go right out and try to instruct. Getting a rating fast is fine but to go out and start teaching after doing all your ratings in 90 days is less than ideal.

I guess that was a jab at me. Yes, I did everything past private in 90 days. I then instructed for three years with a 100% pass rate. I was they guy other instructors would give their "problem children" to. I had to work my rear end off during those ninety days and had to do everything everyone else did, but faster. I just crammed everything in at once. No need to lolly-gag for months. I guess some of us are just more intelligent than others and don't need to attend Riddle.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by Capt. Caucasian

I guess that was a jab at me. Yes, I did everything past private in 90 days. I then instructed for three years with a 100% pass rate. I was they guy other instructors would give their "problem children" to. I had to work my rear end off during those ninety days and had to do everything everyone else did, but faster. I just crammed everything in at once. No need to lolly-gag for months. I guess some of us are just more intelligent than others.

EDIT: I see you went to Riddle. No wonder for the condescension. If I had a nickel for every Riddle, UND, Purdue, etc. guy that looked down their nose at me and others because we didn't learn to fly "their way". Hey, you want to blow five times as much money and ten times as much time, have at it. I have a degree in Finance and none of those numbers made sense.

Eh...pretty sure that wasn't a "jab" directed at anyone in particular. DE727 has a loooong history on this site of speaking his mind about the potential pitfalls of the 90 day program, and he's normally pretty consistent in talking in general terms without pointing fingers at individuals. Unfortunately people often take his opinion personally, which I think is a mistake.

I also think you might be jumping the gun in assuming that there is a holier-than-though-Riddle-brat attitude going on.

I'd appreciate it if you'd put the six-shooters back in the holsters and stick with talking about the pros and cons of the different types of training rather than getting into a pissing contest. Thanks!

[Capt. Caucasian]

Originally Posted by SteveC

Eh...pretty sure that wasn't a "jab" directed at anyone in particular. DE727 has a loooong history on this site of speaking his mind about the potential pitfalls of the 90 day program, and he's normally pretty consistent in talking in general terms without pointing fingers at individuals. Unfortunately people often take his opinion personally, which I think is a mistake.

I also think you might be jumping the gun in assuming that there is a holier-than-though-Riddle-brat attitude going on.

I'd appreciate it if you'd put the six-shooters back in the holsters and stick with talking about the pros and cons of the different types of training rather than getting into a pissing contest. Thanks!

Screw it, just not worth arguing over. One can still sling insults using generalities.

[moxiepilot]

Originally Posted by Otto123

I didn't forget ATP and I do know they are a well respected school throughout their locations in the country. I just didn't realize that they actually have accelerated programs? When I say accelerated, I mean 4-5 days for the commercial and 5-7 days for the CFI. Does ATP have programs like that? And if they do, please tell me the locations because I would be willing to contact them and set something up with them.

Thanks.

I'd recommend contacting CPS as indicated by Patrick.

To answer your question, no I don't know of any place that offers such fast training. But I am leary of getting ratings at such an accelerated pace. IMHO as a CFI you are teaching based on experience, and how much real world flying can you really absorb in 5 days?

Instructors become better over time because of the experience they acquire. I'm better now than I was 2 years ago, and 2 years ago I was better than 3 years ago.

Don't shortchange yourself by having to eliminate the journey for the sake of taking the ride....

[Otto123]

Good point Moxie and I have decided on only fast tracking my commercial since I am well beyond the requirements needed. I will take my time and earn my CFI/I the traditional way because I do agree, it is what you learn during that process that allows a person to be a good instructor.