goldeneagle
New Member
Okay, I'm really in a bind trying to decide between going down to ATP Jacsonville to go for the total CFI program (CFI, CFII and MEI) for $4995 in 14 days (plus the DE costs)or going for my local FBO flight school.
My main question for folks on this board is, how accurate is that estimate of $4995? I'd have to tack on another $500 according to ATP for my Commercial Single add-on, and even there, I'm not sure if I can trust that $500 figure or not? I've heard ATP is very good about sticking to quoted prices in the total ACPP program, but I wonder about the CFI program, I mean, that sounds very optimistic to me.
My previous experience with part 141 at FSI has, uh, made me a bit wary of quoted prices, I easily ended up spending about 25 percent over costs there even though I only went over time by about a dozen hours, but at least I'd be no stranger to training in a Seminole if I go to ATP. Any other grads of ATP's CFI program have experience with going over the quoted 'maximum times' of 13.5 hours in the twin and 5 hours in the single engine?
I know you have to be on the ball for such an accelerated program, but after all the oral on the CFI checkride is probably the toughest in many ways so how well do they prepare you for things like endorsements, lesson plans, aerodynamics theory, etc?
And anyone have any idea at what point ATP might consider hiring on instructors who only do the CFI ratings with them and not the whole ACPP? (and don't say when hell freezes over).
The cons at ATP that I can see so far are possible cost over-runs, the cost of flying down to CRG and back, and the fact that some outfits look down upon you if you go through accelerated training. Appreciate any and all input.
My main question for folks on this board is, how accurate is that estimate of $4995? I'd have to tack on another $500 according to ATP for my Commercial Single add-on, and even there, I'm not sure if I can trust that $500 figure or not? I've heard ATP is very good about sticking to quoted prices in the total ACPP program, but I wonder about the CFI program, I mean, that sounds very optimistic to me.
My previous experience with part 141 at FSI has, uh, made me a bit wary of quoted prices, I easily ended up spending about 25 percent over costs there even though I only went over time by about a dozen hours, but at least I'd be no stranger to training in a Seminole if I go to ATP. Any other grads of ATP's CFI program have experience with going over the quoted 'maximum times' of 13.5 hours in the twin and 5 hours in the single engine?
I know you have to be on the ball for such an accelerated program, but after all the oral on the CFI checkride is probably the toughest in many ways so how well do they prepare you for things like endorsements, lesson plans, aerodynamics theory, etc?
And anyone have any idea at what point ATP might consider hiring on instructors who only do the CFI ratings with them and not the whole ACPP? (and don't say when hell freezes over).
The cons at ATP that I can see so far are possible cost over-runs, the cost of flying down to CRG and back, and the fact that some outfits look down upon you if you go through accelerated training. Appreciate any and all input.