Vegas CFI School

R

Revolutionist

New Member
I have heard terrible things about Vegas' CFI school (dismal CFI sign-off rate, students being treated like "crap," students being kicked-out without their CFI ratings, staff being unprofessional, etc.). What are the facts to this?

I have seriously been considering ATP for several months. But with this in mind, should I be concerned with Vegas' CFI school? Should I look elsewhere for training?

I will be paying with cash, so financing is not an issue. Nonetheless, if I continue with ATP, can one opt out of CFI school, get a refund, and partake at a CFI school elsewhere (other than ATP)?

Is opting out of CFI school common? I am considering either the SAC, PHX, or Riverside locations.

Thank you!
 
Once you start the program DO NOT stop. I know many guys that opted out of CFI school because they were scared, and they regretted it afterwards. People always say "Oh, Ill get it somewhere else." and then never do.

DONT BE SCARED! It isnt that bad. If a guy like me can get through it, you can too. Do your homework that Frank gives you, know your ATP Seminole supplement back to front, and study the packet that they have you work on before the CFI school.

Yes, Frank is an , but if you sit there, shut up and listen, youll be ok. My class had 3 guys bust their first time, including me, but a few days later all of us that started the class had our CFIs, 100%.
 
Vegas is a great example of your potential flight instructor career:

You can pay all the money you want to, but if you fly like a turd, why would anyone sign you off?

I'm defending no one, or company, but ATP CFI course is what you make of it.
 
Revolutionist said:
I have heard terrible things about Vegas' CFI school (dismal CFI sign-off rate, students being treated like "crap," students being kicked-out without their CFI ratings, staff being unprofessional, etc.). What are the facts to this?



Thank you!
Click to expand...

When I was there I actually didn't think Frank's class was all that bad. It was hard work for the week of ground school but it's not so bad in the grand scheme of things. Just buckle down and do what must be done.

As stated, as long as you study, don't ask questions, and pay attention you should be okay. When I was there we had I think three or four guys from Dallas who literally knew nothing. I don't know how Dallas is but apparently the checkrides aren't hard and it showed in their lack of preparedness in CFI school. Frank basically figured out they weren't quite up to snuff so he picked on them most of the time which actually was pretty funny and lightened the atmosphere for everyone else. But again, he may ask you questions you don't know but don't sweat it. It's for your own benefit in the end.

Another thing I liked about VGT CFI school was they had indepth gouges on all of the examiners they use and they tell you who you're gonna get from day one. This also helps reduce the load upon your shoulders from the plethera of material they may ask you about.

Also consider that ATP was great when everyone was hiring like crazy and it could take less than a year to go from zero hours to an airline FO. But in todays economy with thousands of pilots with way more hours on the street ATP may not be the best option.
 
The only students asked to leave my VGT CFI class were like the post above, the guys that hadn't done any of the legwork and didn't really know anything about aviation. While my class didn't have 100% CFI success rate by the end of it, and probably 50% of the class had to come back a month later to finish up, if you flew right and did the work your effort was rewarded.
 
As has already been said - study, study and study some more.
This course ain't for the faint of heart and its pretty much a given that you can fly, they won't and don't hold your hand.

In short you will get out exactly what you put in.

Read the PTS and understand what is being asked.
Know the Seminole supplement forwards and backwards.
Study the FOIs.

The course is tough - I imagine it is the same at all of the locations - if you expect to be spoon fed it ain't gonna happen!

I enjoyed the course - studied my a** off and worked hard at the flying.
Get as much time in the sim as you can to develop muscle memory, you don't want to be worried about flying from the right seat during your checkrides.

If you're motivated and up for a challenge, you'll enjoy it.

Listen to the instructors - you may not agree with everything they say, but it isn't a popularity contest. They are there to get you through the checkrides and they will teach you to do just that.

Good Luck!

BP244
CFI/CFII/MEI
 
If you do the ATP program DO NOT opt out of CFI school. Everyone that I know that opted out still does not have their CFI and do not have jobs. That being said once you are there study your butt off. Don't go home at 5 and sit at the pool with a beer. Stay late and study, when you go home study. You should do fine as long as you get your head in the books and don't treat it like a party.
 
This post was from 2007. If you really think the same CFI's are still there you are wrong. The only instructor that is the say is probably Frank. I did not go to CFI school in Vegas, but this is one persons experience out of hundreds. Mine did not go nearly that bad.
 
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