ATP one year later

BravoHotel

BravoHotel

Well-Known Member
Here is a short missive on my year post ATP.

It was this time, ironically here in Vegas I pulled the plug on the CFI program with ATP. Do I have my regrets? of course I do, however it was at the time my decision, good or bad as it may seem.

After I put ATP behind me, I went into the skydiving industry, packing chutes, earned my rigger's ticket, chomping at the bit to fly. I flew the boss around in his 182 from time to time, but nothing steady. In April I found a dropzone with a two place 206, (skydivers filled up the rest of it) and recieved some dual on jump piloting.

I finally got a break, our P206 came out of hybernation in May, and I started flying jumpers on the week days, (we had a turbine PAC-750 for the weekends). After a month, the 206 "went away." Racking my brain, did I do something wrong? Mysterious as hell. I later learned the previous owner and the current owner of the dropzone were engaged in legal proceedings and the 206 was wrapped up in the middle.

The opportunity to fly a 206 full time presented it self here in Vegas so I jumped on it. Not having a CFI ticket with about 600 hours total time one year later in my opinion is not bad, especially the way things are in the economy.

My CFI ticket is of course my next pilot goal.
 
If you weren't a fan of the while 14-day CFI program at ATP, I would recommend getting your initial CFI locally, then still consider going to ATP for the MEI/II addons. I did my initial CFI in college and found the 5 day MEI/II course perfectly adequate with substantial self-studying ahead of time.
 
I had thought about that, especially with ATP Vegas here in my back yard. I have done some recurrency stuff at Cactus at KHND, they have a Turbo Seminole for 239 hr wet, compared to 400 for ATPs.

Now that data may be old, but that is what they charged per hour when I had left the program.

Then you have to factor in ATP's package deals, which have a good going rate right now. I'll do the math when I come to that road.
 
hey Hawks, how do you go about getting into skydiving stuff and rigging chutes? i already have a flying job but I have really wanted to get into on the side and in my own free time for fun ! Thanks for any information you can provide
 
Just do it part 61 at a small FBO. The oral portion of the CFI ride is the worst part. The flight is pretty easy. Study, study, study and then study some more. After you have done that and fly a few times you should be able to find a CFI to sign you off.
 
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