ATP in Phoenix General Info Request

SkyPig

SkyPig

New Member
Hello, Everyone
I'm 99% decided on ATP. I like what I've heard and its close to family in Cali. I've been reading posts on Jetforums for awhile seems pretty uncensored. I appreciate everyones inputs.
A little about myself I'm a career changer. 33 years old leaving the Navy to fly on the civilian side. I've been around DC-9's for the past 13 years and have about 5000 hours as a crewchief/FE, Have a B.S. too.
A few questions anyone going to the Phoenix ATP? How do you like it?
They say housing is included, but what is the housing? Some schools say your sharing a room???? Or are you sharing an apartment? Love some clarification.
And any advice for a Phoenix bound newbie?
 
PHX apartments are the Ritz of ATP digs ;)

Its a great location, the instructors are cool, and the head CFI for west coast ops (dave) is a great guy. I trained out of FLL, but from what I could tell it was a good place to be...Not only that but IWA is a Military lover's dream.
 
If you want to stay close to family in cali why not train at Riverside or Sacramento?

Just looked at the airport diagram for IWA, is it a former military base? Those are some long runways.
 
eta71 said:
If you want to stay close to family in cali why not train at Riverside or Sacramento?

Just looked at the airport diagram for IWA, is it a former military base? Those are some long runways.
Click to expand...

Yes...former military base!
 
SkyPig said:
Have a B.S. too.
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What an amazing coincidence, I have quite a bit of BS too!

The apartments are just a few minutes from the airport, and they are pretty posh. The airplanes are usually 2000 models (which some people seemed to prefer), the examiners are all fair, and at least when I was there all of the instuctors were top-notch. The only negatives I can think of were that, it's hot in the summer, the office space could be cramped at times (though that won't affect you much as a student) and the lack of IMC, though you'll get to experience that quite a bit on your cross countries and you're under the hood a lot of the time anyway.
 
There were certainly days when it felt like an active base. You would be number 2 behind a C130 with 2 F18s in the overhead for the other runway and a flight of Tweats holding short. Good stuff.

The apartments are pretty nice. I know they had to get more housing out there due to the large number of students (especially PPL) that are starting. I don't know if they other apartments are in the same place or not. The office is pretty cramped, but I'm sure they are making do. Great DEs, nice planes (the old models don't do to well in the heat for some reason) and one of the best training environments out there. Just be prepaired to be flying 120 degree heat if you are out there over the summer.
 
eta71 said:
If you want to stay close to family in cali why not train at Riverside or Sacramento?

Just looked at the airport diagram for IWA, is it a former military base? Those are some long runways.
Click to expand...

I figured Phoenix would be a student rich environment, for later on being an instructor. Am I wrong thinking this? I don't think anyone answered though in the apartments you have your own room? Your not sharing a single room are you?
 
SkyPig said:
Your not sharing a single room are you?
Click to expand...

Maybe, maybe not. No guarantees on private rooms--it just depends on how many students are around. You'll likely have to share a room at some point, certainly during the cross country phase.
 
Thanks for the info not sure about sharing a room during training. I'm totally cool on sharing an apartment. But its nice to have your own place to study. I've lived close to alot of people during my time in the military. lol Thanks, Skypig
 
pscraig said:
Largely due to certain examiners insisting on flying in a new Seminole.
Click to expand...

That was DFW. At least while I was out there none of the DEs really had a preference. In fact, one of them prefered the older ones due to the fact that had a VOR2 head and made partial panel more "real".
 
Have you gotten a start date yet or are you still in the deciding phase?

I am starting my PPL in Phoenix on June 5th and then moving on to Riverside for the remainder. I was told that you most likely will have a roomate sharing a room with you. Another question I had was about the scheduling. I know there is tons of stuff that you will be doing but are you at the airport for 8 hours a day or are you flying an hour or two then studying at your apartment for the rest? Do you have set hours that you have to be there everyday or does it vary from day to day? I have also heard people talk about bringing their laptops. Is there internet in the apartments? Thanks for the info!!! :)
 
The schedule is primarily up to the instructor. You are free to discuss with the instructor what times you prefer to fly and if you would like to get a certain day off... but realize that it is an immersion program, so there will be a lot of time spent at the airport. Also realize that the instructor may not be as much of an early bird or late sleeper as you and may deep six your suggestions on "times you'd prefer to fly" :) But... he/she will get you through. Don't worry too much about it until you get there... as long as you study, listen, pay attention, learn, and do what your instructor asks... then there will be plenty of free time.

The Apartments do not have Internet or phone service, that is why they (ATP) request you have a Cell Phone prior to starting the program. If you want to set up Internet at the apartments and split it with your room-mates then you can do that. When I was in PHX, I lived in the three bedroom apt. with two other instructors and we simply split the bill 3 ways.

There is internet access available at the office, however, it is generally frowned upon to use it... especially when there are students prepping for ATP, FE, and other written's on them.

I used my laptop quite a bit during training because I supplemented my training there with the King DVD's. It worked out quite well for me.

Good luck!

Bob
 
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