If you had your choice

I just did mine several months ago at JAX and would recommend that location. The guy who wrote the program for ATP, Walt Schnamel, teaches the ground there. Walt also wrote the DPE program for the FAA along with many of the regs we now see in the FAR/AIM. That guy is a wealth of knowledge and a pleasure to learn from.

I did all of my flight training at FBO's and other flight schools taking my time, this was my first experience with ATP. Be warned the CFI 2 week program at ATP is a polishing course. You should know pretty much everything before going in there. Study on your own before hand and go through the entry exam with a fine tooth comb. The open book test they send to you in the welcome pkg with the books is a great tool, use it, it works. I studied for about 2 months before my class date. That included doing the prep test they gave as well as some flying from the right seat at my local flight school. I did fine albeit it was stressful and A LOT of work. The other guys in my class who blew off coming prepared and who thought they would learn all of the material while at the class did not fare as well.

This program is what you make of it. It moves very fast and there was NO hand holding. You will be up studying at 7am - 10pm or later at least the first week. Studying and preparing for my initial MEI and then the CFIA and II was across the board much harder than the actual tests but I think that is how it should be. If you bust your ass preparing than the ride should be smooth. That's how it was for me.

This program is a bear, be prepared.
 
I did the program at ATL...I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Everyone was friendly, and we had a small class so we were pretty tight knit. Out of our class, everyone passed on the first try (there was one guy that got sent home early).

Here is what I wrote to a couple of other people:

I did the program at ATL. They ship you out for your initial, but all of your expenses are paid (short of food). I had no complaints. Several compliments actually.

The staff at LZU is fantastic.

In my class, 5 out of the 6 passed on the first try (the one never made it to the checkride).
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I've heard that LAS was really difficult, mainly from this forum and from one person that went there. If you do a search of this subforum, you'll find plenty of information.

I'll just echo what zulu said in that it's a lot of work and you have to show up prepared. You can't go out and party every night when you're there either. You live, sleep, eat and breathe aviation while you're there. You'll be lucky to even go out for a beer. Most of my class didn't until they passed their MEI.
 
Every CFI course anywhere is a polishing course. There is no way your instructor can know what you know and don't know, or for that matter cover everything the FAA might ask on the checkride. I tell all my CFI candidates to be honest with themselves, go through the PTS and tell me what you know and what you need a lesson on. That's our starting point. If you tell me you know something then we go straight into you teaching it. IF you don't, I'll teach it to you and show you how I teach it, then you can teach me next time. Having students come to the CFI program unprepared is a nightmare!
 
Speaking from a professional standpoint, I have flown extensively in both Atlanta and Vegas. If you were to do your CFI in Atlanta your doing it pretty far away from the main airport and therefore do not have to deal with alot of the traffic/airspace issues on your checkrides. If you were to go to Vegas you would experience a much more congested challenging environment. Going to Vegas is going to prepare you more for being a CFI than Atlanta is. You will get some valuable experience flying in a highly congested airpsace.
 
Did mine in Vegas, I do not regret one min of it. Frank V is crazy, but a genius when it comes to getting you ready for your checkrides.
 
Inverted said:
Did mine in Vegas, I do not regret one min of it. Frank V is crazy, but a genius when it comes to getting you ready for your checkrides.
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Frank isn't there anymore. New 2 year CFI is Marcus, really nice guy and knows his stuff. I personally wouldn't recommend the VGT location.
 
determined2fly said:
Just curious...why wouldn't you recommend VGT? I am scheduled to go up there...nice to know what im getting into. Thanks.:o
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VGT is what you make of it. It's disorganized, hectic as hell, and very fast paced. Drink a bunch of red bull, come prepared, and don't go party a bunch. You will be fine.
 
determined2fly said:
Just curious...why wouldn't you recommend VGT? I am scheduled to go up there...nice to know what im getting into. Thanks.:o
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What class date?

Didn't you go to VGT on the x/c's? Kind of in a dumpy neighborhood, nice seminoles tho. No Gateway aviation to call and your airplane is magically filled with gas..Heard the apartments are sketchy, early last year they got broken into.
 
Inverted said:
Did mine in Vegas, I do not regret one min of it. Frank V is crazy, but a genius when it comes to getting you ready for your checkrides.
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Inverted said:
VGT is what you make of it. It's disorganized, hectic as hell, and very fast paced. Drink a bunch of red bull, come prepared, and don't go party a bunch. You will be fine.
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Ditto to what he said. 100% truth
 
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