ATP in a light twin?

vikingair

vikingair

Well-Known Member
I've been instructing for two years and now have the requirements for the ME ATP. I've been actively flying the twins, am confident in my skills and knowledge, have access to a plane and have a good relationship with the DPE whom I know would be thorough but fair.

The only thing preventing me from doing it in the next few weeks is a lack of excess funds and a concern about the stabilty of my current job. After two years of working here I really don't feel I can stay any longer for a number of reasons I won't name. The bottom line is that every dollar I have is going into the war chest in the event I need to escape/this job suddenly doesn't exist. I'm operating on the PPPPFPNTU principle~ Prior Planning Prevents Pilots from Panhandling Near the Underpass.:laff:

It may be possible to borrow some money for the ATP if it was absolutely necessary but I would rather not. So everything is in place to do it now but I risk being in the hole for it. If I wait, well who knows when I might be ready again.

Realistically how valuable (or not) is a ATP in a light training twin? Is it just another feel good box to check? Who would it matter to and who would glance at it and chuckle? I have 1800 hours, 400 ME and am looking at flying 135 then possibly 121. Thanks in advance.
 
I've seen a couple of jobs that require an ATP, that strictly speaking don't need one. For example PIC King Air 90 pt 135 job I saw required an ATP in the job description. But those are few and far between. Usually when yup get your first type rating, which the company will pay for, you'll get your ATP at the same time.

Besides a box to check it isn't too valuable unless you have a type rating to go with it, with the exception of some overseas jobs and jobs that put that in the HR requirement. I think TT and ME and turbine time would be more important but YMMV
 
My ATP is the same as the guy who did it on his CE550 ride but truthfully I don't think it has opened any doors for me other than my ability to check the box.


It does make me feel pretty good about myself though.
 
Get it if you can. All else being equal with two applicants, but one has his/her ATP... guess who gets the job? Any chance you can have someone from a FSDO do it in conjunction with a flight? Kind of a pain, but that's how I did it; combined it with my 135 ride with our POI.
 
Scheduled 135 operations in multis need it, a la Cape Air, and many many operators up here, including us.
 
If you're in a spot to get it done fairly quickly while being cost effective, I'd suggest knocking it out. True, you will eventually get your ATP when you get a type, but at this point you have no idea when that is. You never know when a new opportunity will present itself to you, and you'll be kicking yourself if that happens and they require an ATP. In this economy, do whatever you can to set yourself apart from the other guy or girl.

Oh, and for the record... I did mine in a light twin (a Duchess). Kind of a neat airplane actually.
 
I would get it ASAP- Yes- its a box to check- however and most bean counters in the industry see it as "more boxes- more qualified". But, In the last 6 months, I have been offered to interview for 5 jobs... I really had a great shot at all of them, with internal recs for EACH JOB,... I didn't get any of them, and almost each answer was because I did not have my ATP. I'm still 30hrs of XC away from qualifying for the ride, but I look back and kick myself in the nuts for not getting more cross country time in the past when I could have.

The job may not require it, but the HR and Insurance almost always do now. My current employer couldn't understand why I was so interested to get the ATP, he said, "why pay for the ATP, when you get hired they are just going to send you to FSI to get a ATP type anyways, so whats the point". He's old school and doesn't realize that things have changed, and that just to INTERVIEW at most places now, you need one.

I say- GET IT if you have the means.
 
vikingair said:
Realistically how valuable (or not) is a ATP in a light training twin?
Click to expand...


ATP isn't aircraft specific, so your ATP would be the same as the one I got in a CRJ sim....except I have a restriction on mine for circling mins. You wouldn't have that, probably. If you're looking into doing 135 stuff, I'm not sure since I've never flown one hour of 135, but I'd guess having it would make you more competitive than guys with the same amount of time as you that don't.
 
Something to consider, is doing an ATP ASEL. It does qualify you "as an ATP," and with the growing number of PC-12's and TBM's in operation, I'd argue it will hold some value as we move forward. The single ATP is a cheap rating, as it can be done in any complex aircraft. Plus, as far as separating yourself from everyone else, very few people have an ATP ASEL.
 
If you're very proficient in twins, esp a Seminole, I would recommend heading to your nearest ATP location and getting it done. It's nothing more than a glorified instrument checkride. What I can't recommend is financing it, or if you feel there's some instability at your job.
ppragman said:
Scheduled 135 operations in multis need it, a la Cape Air, and many many operators up here, including us.
Click to expand...
So did the DO and CP have to go get theirs?
 
TallFlyer said:
If you're very proficient in twins, esp a Seminole, I would recommend heading to your nearest ATP location and getting it done. It's nothing more than a glorified instrument checkride. What I can't recommend is financing it, or if you feel there's some instability at your job.

So did the DO and CP have to go get theirs?
Click to expand...
Who has 2 grand to fork over to ATP?
 
I got my ATP last year in a Seneca II. I'm flying for a regional. A lot of folks here asked me why I would get my ATP, since they are all counting on this new bill to pass, so that every
FO will get one.

First, I spent $0 dollars on my ATP! I got it, because I was given the option and there are quite a few jobs (mainly overseas) that require an ATP. Second, I do not have the Circling
restriction on my ATP, only on the plane. If you get your ATP with your upgrade, you'll have the restriction on your ATP AND the Plane. What's the big deal? Nothing really, but again, a lot of foreigners require an ATP without the restriction.
 
Not all regionals prohibit circling. Mesa doesn't. But I think we were in the minority, it was CA only. As an aside, from doing many circling approaches in the past year I can see why they get prohibited!
 
SpiraMirabilis said:
That is a pretty good deal. Although I see KB/Mr. Weems has increased his fee to $400. Unless you work for a fig school I doubt you could get your ATP (ME) cheaper in Dallas though, unless you didn't bother for any advance training and just went for your check ride.
Click to expand...

Is KB still alive? :)
 
TallFlyer said:
If you're very proficient in twins, esp a Seminole, I would recommend heading to your nearest ATP location and getting it done. It's nothing more than a glorified instrument checkride. What I can't recommend is financing it, or if you feel there's some instability at your job.

So did the DO and CP have to go get theirs?
Click to expand...

They havent yet.
 
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