CFI Program Length

N519AT

N519AT

Ahh! This is how I change this!
I'm probably going to attend the CFI program at ATP in Atlanta sometime this spring. What I need to know from people that went through the course is how long did it it officially take you from start to finish? I've heard from a lot of people that they usually don't finish on schedule. I'm just asking because I need to get my request in for time off from work.

Thanks!
 
I know a few who went there...from what I gathered it could be 2 weeks...could be 3-4. But during the extended time....you are just waiting for a checkride...so you could go back to work.
 
I cannot speak about ATL but I did mine in Jacksonville with ATP. Classroom was only one week and maybe a few extra days to do your spins and recommendation ride. I waited about 6-days to get scheduled for my checkride. A few guys in my class had to wait about 10 days.

This was just for my initial. The addons I did at the BWG location with the greatest DPE ever!
 
I did my CFI training at ATP Las Vegas. In the two weeks I received my CFI and CFII. Got my single a week later in phoenix. There is a guy i was in class with and he had to do a letter of discontinuance and it took him 3 weeks for his inital. It depends alot on when your checkride is scheduled. I got mine done the quickest out of the 4 guys in my class cuz my checkrides were scheduled first.
 
I did all of mine in JAX about 6 months ago. It took me 3 weeks and the longest guy in our class took 5 weeks because the examiner wasn't available. He wound up going to FLL for his checkride.

Its tough now because you have to apply to the FAA, then they assign a DPE. If the DPE isn't available for a week or two you'll have to wait or go to another FSDO.

From what I've seen, I'd say less than 50% get finished in the advertised time. I don't get why they call it a "14 day" program. They'll tell you straight up that its not a garuntee. If you call and ask, They won't give you a statistic of how many people finish in 14 days.

My advice would be to do your CFI self paced. Either at ATP or elsewhere.
 
I attended ATL (actually FTY) two years ago. (Man, has it been that long already?)

I started the CFI program on April 7. MEI on the 16th. CFII on the 20th. Single engine add-on the 29th. It's basically all self-study.

I think I was the first in the class to get scheduled for the initial. Two guys did not feel ready so they dropped out of the program. They airlined me to Fort Lauderdale for the initial.

Bottom line, it took three weeks.
 
I was in ATL in may of 07..almost 3 years ago, wow. BUT I was there for 2 weeks, well not in ATL the whole time. The first week was training, well sort of anyway.

Day 1: Seminole systems, aerodynamics and baisicly anything not having to do with regs. Also write a lesson plan and present it to the class.

Day 2: 10 flipping hours reading and going over FAR'S! FUN!

Day 3 thru 7: Self Study and Austin took us up as he could for our spin training and our 4 hours of initial CFI training.

Monday the next week I found out my MEI (Initial) checkride will be on Wednesday. Another student and I flew a seminole down to FLL on Tuesday. MEI checkride started at 6 am Wednesday morning. I was done with my cert at 3:45 pm. My Oral was 4 and 1/2 hours.

Wednesday night: Got to the hotel and was about to sip a beer...phone rings...CFII checkride Thursday morning at 8 am. Training at 6 am. Go me...CFII done.

Thursday night: Took another student and I, Flew a seminole back to FTY.

Single engine add on was on Saturday.


So my experiance took it 2 weeks. There were two guys who had not gone through the whole program there and they both busted out. Well there was my experiance like 3 years ago. Hope it might help.
 
Did the VGT 2 week course last year.

Only one of 7 to complete in 2 weeks. ATP isn't going to give the three ratings, you have to prepare for them, they just have a syllabus.
 
I also went to ATP FLL for my CFI checkrides. I busted my MEI ride, did my CFII training the same day I busted, then did my retraining for the MEI. Next morning did the re-check on the MEI, and right afterwards the CFII checkride.
 
I'm about to start ATP, and received my big box of books. I've already taken most of the knowledge tests, but would really like to get ahead on studying for the CFI program at the end while I work through my instrument and commercial training.

Does the CFI program have its own materials that I haven't yet received? What books in this box should I focus on to prepare for the CFI course (other than "all of them")? Thanks.
 
It depends if you are starting the private program or the Career pilot program. If you started your private program then that box is just for your private and you will get another set for your ACP program and then a binder when you start CFI school. If you started your ACP program then you will get that box and then a binder at the start of CFI school.
 
DL31082 said:
It depends if you are starting the private program or the Career pilot program. If you started your private program then that box is just for your private and you will get another set for your ACP program and then a binder when you start CFI school. If you started your ACP program then you will get that box and then a binder at the start of CFI school.
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I got the box for the ACP (I have my PPL). Suggestions on what to study before I get the CFI binder?
 
Counselor said:
I got the box for the ACP (I have my PPL). Suggestions on what to study before I get the CFI binder?
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All of them. ;)

Obviously you have to have great technical knowledge for the CFI. I think alot of guys were not really prepared for the Fundamentals of Instruction. It's something we don't study for instrument and commercial. So I would get familiar with the Aviation Instructors Handbook.

But I would not worry too much about CFI until your copies of the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Instrument Flying Handbook and Airplane Flying Handbook are looking dog-eared.
 
It really is everything haha. I suggest getting the MEI PTS and start with that. Start going over all the areas in there. Also, like any PTS there is a list of references / books. You basically can be accountable for all the info in any and all of those publications. The more you read / study before you get to the CFI school the better off you'll be. It's a lot easier to fine tune your knowledge and skills then to have to teach everything to you. The ones you'll spend the most time with are the PHAK, Airplane flying handbook, the instructors handbook, the pts's, and there a couple of the AC's that you'll spend some time with IE, 61-65 for endorsements, and the AC on spins. The CFI is a lot of work, no way around that, but once you get it and start instructing, you can really learn how to fly! haha.

The FAA still has to assign you a DPE (if you are even in an area that will allow that). So the whole 2 week thing will really come down to that, and when they are available. Also to note, the 14 day or total CFI doesn't leave you much time in the airplane. If you don't think you can perform all the maneuvers in the pts... to better than commercial standards... while in the right seat.... while explaining them... in 2 flights, you might really want to consider a program with more time.

As for the original question, can it be done in 2 weeks? Sure it can. If you know your stuff.. in the classroom and airplane... if weather doesn't screw you up... if you always have a plane... and if the examiners aren't too booked. Sounds like a lot to play on, but its doable. The biggest factors are on the student really.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
 
Counselor said:
I got the box for the ACP (I have my PPL). Suggestions on what to study before I get the CFI binder?
Click to expand...
What location are you training at? Good luck in your training! Send me a PM if you need something to study before you start! Otherwise, get looking through the supplement
 
syntrikz said:
What location are you training at? Good luck in your training! Send me a PM if you need something to study before you start! Otherwise, get looking through the supplement
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'm excited to finally start - been waiting to do so a long time. I was originally going to Florida to train, but now it's going to be either PHX or Arlington. I will let ATP know Monday and request a start date.

Sorry about the thread-drift, BTW. I appreciate all the answers, though.
 
Go to PHX, very busy training environment/airport. Tough at first, but makes flying at most other locations a breeze. Nothing against GKY, but PHX is a very fun location also. There is a lot to do there on your down time (when you just can't possibly study another minute and have to get out of the apartment). Good luck with whatever you choose (and the loan payments that sneak up on you after you finish).
 
Go to wherever is closest to you. Obviously. That way you can drive there and have a car to get food beyond what is within walking distance.

Will keep you from going to that pub O'Somethingorother in PHX every night too.
 
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