Hello! After waiting about a month for my First Class Medical Exam, the day finally arrived and I walked out of the office (yesterday) with my certificate! I am a very healthy person, but at 51 years old have had some water under the bridge. To have this box checked was my first step before even allowing myself to get excited. As soon as I got home I submitted my student loan application, and was surprised at how easy and fast it was approved. There was barely any information to even enter on the application, but I suppose being unsecured, that makes sense. Anyhow, here I am! Medical and Funding, check, check. What an amazing 24 hours! Next up, contacting ATP Monday morning to officially apply and schedule a Discovery flight. I am expecting admissions to be competitive and know I may not meet the ideal student requirements for ATP. I will put my best foot forward! I have flown in small planes all my life with my Dad who was a CFI doing Multi-Engine Ratings for students in League City, TX. One might wonder why I am starting this process at 51 years old as opposed to ANY TIME over the last few decades. Well, I was a passionate music major in college, followed by some interesting career curves, followed by growing my family. I thought I missed this opportunity way back then, much less now. However, on having a discussion with my Dad about not respecting our parents’ careers and what they were so good at, I said what an opportunity I had wasted to learn from him and too bad because being an airline pilot sure would have been an amazing career. So you can imagine how the discussion went from there! I know my time “left” to fly for an airline is short, and that’s assuming (which I don’t) that I make it through so many hurdles (learning opportunities!) to come. I want the chance at it though. The best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time, and bite one was my medical. So, the point of this post is to say hello to everyone! Maybe I won’t be admitted to ATP and this will be short lived. Or maybe I will be admitted, we shall see!
Nice post. I see no reason why you wouldn’t be admitted (but obviously not up to me). As long as you’re realistic about your goals you can have a vey nice second half. This of a second career for me as well. Though I started earlier than you, the fact that my expectations were reasonable (really I simply wanted to get paid to fly, everything else was a bonus) allowed me to really enjoy the experience and I still do to this day.
Work hard and you’ll do great. It really is more about effort and attitude more than anything else.
It sounds like you really have a good outlook on this new adventure for you and very realistic expectations. Both of those two things will serve you well in this industry
Just remember to relax on the Admissions Flight. Do not expect yourself to be some perfect pilot, the flight is really just a chance for you to get to know ATP and for them to get to know you. They know you are not a pilot and are looking for a good attitude and a willingness to learn more than anything.
Please keep us up to date as you go through the admissions process, I look forward to hearing how it all goes.
Nice! You’ve had a very productive 24 hours. I loved reading your story and think you will truly enjoy the time you have left in the industry. I appreciate that you have realistic expectations and are humble about your opportunities. Please keep us updated on your application progress!
I’m sure your dad is just as excited to watch you embark on this journey. As a daughter that shared the passion with my dad, it’s incredibly special.
Seems that you have two of the most important things accomplished, which can take others many months depending on complications or underwriters. I think you’re off to a great start and carrying this motivation and energy forward will set you up for success.
Enjoy your Admission Flight, ask questions, talk with current student/instructors at the location, and most importantly, be open-minded, and you will find positive rewards from it. We are always welcomed to answering any questions you may have, but being able to talk in-person with those that are actively participating in the program is another valuable resource.
Yes, Hannah, my Dad is very excited indeed! It’s neat to know you have the flying connection with your dad too. He must be so proud!
Brady, I’m looking forward to in person questions and of course getting to fly! I am curious how CFI’s are lined up with new students, and if you have one CFI or a rotation of CFI’s. It will be great to see the facility. I’ve been to Centennial Airport before (flown with my Dad on his visits to Denver), but not to the ATP building. Anyhow, I think of all the things I can’t wait to find out about generally instead of falling asleep promptly at night lol.
When I was going through the program, 2020-2022, instructors that had less than 100 hours typically did not start off with a fresh Zero Time student. The purpose was to give them the comfort and ability to grow with instrument and commercial students, work the kinks of being a new instructor, and not feel stressed about sending their first student right away into a solo flight. You may see different CFI’s throughout the program (especially for CFI and Multi-Engine training). I had the same instructor for Instrument and Commercial, different one for CFI and then multi-engine. Everyone is standardized, the one main difference you may find in each instructor is the delivery. The whole program is standardized, and it is developed so that no matter who goes through, receives the same training program.
I was in the area (sort-of) and decided to check out the parking situation at Centennial Airport. My Admissions Flight is scheduled this Saturday - need to make sure I can easily park and be a little bit earlier than early!
As I am starting to consider possible start dates, what is an appropriate amount of time to allow for the Airman Knowledge Tests? I’m sure I can ask this on Saturday, in person, as well. Mid-August might be a good window? I definitely want to complete them before starting ATP, and want to allow the time to do so without wasting time either.
Obviously we all learn differently and some need more time and others less. Also depends how much time you can invest per day, week etc. On average most say about 2 weeks per exam is a good, realistic goal.
The first available start date is best… allowing at least the time needed to complete the required PAR exam. Depending on how far out classes are booking up, you can utilize that time to get as many of the written exams done as you can. The more you complete, the lighter your load will be through the program.
I would not delay a start date for the written exams. Is it better to have them done sooner? Sure, but it is not worth delaying your career and possible entry into the airlines. I would at least have the Private Pilot written done, but the others are bonuses.
Typically, the Private Pilot (PAR) knowledge test will take the longest to study, that’s because it’s your first one. Afterwards, Sheppard Air makes taking exams much easier because they simplify the rote memorization process, and you should follow their guides. As the others said, I wouldn’t delay a start date solely on writtens; however, if you have a specific date in mind you’re starting (i.e., leaving current job, moving, etc.), then great you have time to start. The program is built around taking the exams during the program so it’s not a problem going in with just starting to study.
I’m glad I asked! I definitely had the impression it would be best to get all the writtens completed first. I appreciate the clarification of balancing getting started vs. totally prioritizing the exams. As far a selecting a start date, the admissions advisor said technically I could start as soon as two weeks after my admissions flight (assuming it goes well). That would be too fast, but later in August might be good. I’m fortunate that my husband & I own a small roofing company that I help with, but I am certainly not the bread winner. My husband is. So I can step away and it does not affect our income. I do not need to give notice haha. If my Admissions flight goes well, it appears that all the boxes will be checked and I can proceed! Then it will be time to prove my merit.
I will say that with all the flights I took with my Dad over the years, we never did stalls, so I need to make sure I can handle how that feels. And if it scares me, I am hoping that knowledge and repetition will help me learn how to handle it.
There’s nothing scary about stalls (as long as they’re not unintentional). We practice them to demonstrate our knowledge and understanding of aerodynamics and also to recognize when one is impending. Nothing disparaging towards your father, but I fear his reluctance to ever demo one for you has created this fear of the unknown.
You and your instructor will talk about what’s happening, why is happening and what to do about it. Hopefully once you see what’s behind the curtain you’ll see the monster isn’t real.
For what its worth, when I was a student at ATP (self-paced option Oct 2015 through March 2017) taking the written tests before training was either not an option or not advertised as an option. I took each test as I reached that phase of training. PPL took the longest because I didn’t know where to start or what to expect. All the others were simple thanks to Sheppard Air.
I can understand the fear you have. I too was afraid at first because in theory they sound pretty scary. However, best to see one demonstrated sooner than later. Once you see it you’ll probably feel like I did, “oh that was it? That’s not a big deal!”
Well, I did the Admissions flight on Saturday and it went great! The stalls, as you all mentioned, were no big deal. We did both power-on and power-off. My favorite part was the steep bank (I think?) turns? I don’t know why, I just liked finding a starting point, doing a 360 one way, then the other way.
The only thing that surprised me a bit was I felt nauseated for about the last 10 minutes. I am hoping it was the heat and not having any water to take a sip of. Hopefully I get used to it as I have selected my start date to be August 12!
A fun side note, the practice area we were in goes over my house and my teenagers knew it was me flying over. They got some good pictures. Also, I will be starting school about when they do, and you can bet they will be watching me (study habits, attitude, etc)!
I am very excited to get started and am getting through the Orientation so I can start ground school next week.
- need to make sure I can easily park and be a little bit earlier than early!
