What Would You Do?

dmlong

New Member
Here is my situation. I had recently went through the 90 day course without success. I did not get signed off by my CFI initial instructor for the check ride. Fortunately I was able to get my COMM ME/SE.

I still want to get all of my CFI ratings and still try to get hired by ATP, but I just don’t know exactly how to do it. I had thought about going to a local flight training center (American Flyer) to get my CFISE and CFII and return to ATP for my ME. I’ve also thought about just getting my CFISE somewhere else and returning back to ATP for my CFIME and CFII.

What would you do in my situation? I’ve hit a road block and I want to get back on track ASAP. I really want to work for ATP as an instructor and in time, work for a regionol. Please, any advise would help. Thank you.
 
"What would you do in my situation?"

I'd do just like you are doing, try to find somewhere else to get the CFI. Besides AF, there is Sheble's out in Arizona. I'm sure after that, ATP would take your money for the other CFI courses. Question is, would you have a hard time getting hired there as a CFI if you've had "problems" in the past?

I'm sure some of the ATP folks can answer that one. I have no idea.
 
"What would you do in my situation?"

I'd do just like you are doing, try to find somewhere else to get the CFI. Besides AF, there is Sheble's out in Arizona. I'm sure after that, ATP would take your money for the other CFI courses. Question is, would you have a hard time getting hired there as a CFI if you've had "problems" in the past?

I'm sure some of the ATP folks can answer that one. I have no idea.

I'm suprised you recommend Sheble's DE727, the instructor also being the DE...??
 
First off, why didnt you get signed off? I dont mean that in a harsh or mean sounding way, but it does matter.

-Rob
 
"the instructor also being the DE...??"

I recommend it because I know a guy who did the program a few years back and was happy with it. I can't remember if he took his ride with FAA or a DE, but if it had been with his "instructor", I'm sure he'd have mentioned it. It's trybysky who is here at JC. He's a checkairman at Amflight.

If you have experience with Sheble's CFI school where the instructor is the DE (I believe that's against FAA policy, at least it was 20 years ago), please do tell?
 
First off, why didnt you get signed off? I dont mean that in a harsh or mean sounding way, but it does matter.

-Rob

Honestly,
I was not prepared for what I was about to get into. You are allowed four hours of flight time to fly your practice flight and to fly with the person who will endorse your logbook. On the second flight with the endorser, I had a terrible flight. Since I did not have any time left to fly some more extra practice flights for improvement, I wasn’t able to get a sign off for the check ride.
 
It may have been easier to buy a couple more hours from ATP than to go through a whole other CFI training program. Call Jim K and tell him your situation and how you F'd up your sign off ride but that you really want to work for ATP and if there is anything you can do to get a couple more hours. They are hurting for Instructors right now and the worst he can say is no. Unless you really screwed something up someone may be able to work with you. If that doesnt work out, you need to get your CFI. Without it you won't be able to make money flying with a wet commercial. You other option in my opinion is to find someone with a two year CFI rating that would be willing to go up a couple times with you and be willing to sign you off. Its not worth sitting through a whole other CFI program when all you need is a couple more flights. Just my opinion on what I would do. Also it doesnt seem right only 4 hours. I had like 8 hours to prepare when I was going through.
 
Also it doesn't seem right only 4 hours. I had like 8 hours to prepare when I was going through.

This is why flying right seat on the XC phase is so important. You have no time at all to adjust to the small things like using your left hand for throttle, and controlling the yoke with your right hand. Also dry-flying the piss out of the Seminole is very important.

-Rob
 
Well I was pretty bummed out when ATP kicked me out of standardization, but it turned out that it was for the better, I am making a whole heck of a lot more money at the flight school where I work in Miami, and I am treated like a professional, and get to wear an actual pilots uniform. The girls love it. Sure I am not getting much multi time, but with 140 hours already from ATP, I am not hurting for it. I have enough students that I should be able to make 3,000$ a month. Almost all of them are instrument, one private, helped out another instructor with a commercial guy. I get paid the same amount of money per hour, if its ground, simulator, or airplane.
So the bottom line is that if ATP does not want you, others do, and will pay you more money, so don't fret about it, it is just a fork in the road.
 
It may have been easier to buy a couple more hours from ATP than to go through a whole other CFI training program. Call Jim K and tell him your situation and how you F'd up your sign off ride but that you really want to work for ATP and if there is anything you can do to get a couple more hours.

It was a no-go for additional training. No problem. I'm headed for AF. Thanks for the advise.
 
u guys are having so much fun with all these inside quotes, and im jealous :(

I dont think I even know who "checksix" is.

Quotes = Wedding Crashers. But Im gonna go ahead and add this:

" I live with my mom because I choose to. She's the only woman I've ever trusted. "

-Rob
 
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