How is the SAT campus? Might be staying in that area and wondering what the success rate is there?
Zack,
ATP doesn’t publish success rates for individual locations. However, since ALL ATP locations offer the same level of instruction and resources, there’s no reason it would be any higher or lower at any particular one.
Adam
Oh, well that’s good to know about publishing the rates. Can anyone speak to their time at SAT? Thanks.
Zack,
Someone may or may not chime in on SAT. People currently in training are usually busy with training and those that move on, well they move on. Further with the rapid movement, if someone had a particularly good (or bad) experience at a location, in all likelihood by the time you get there they’ll be new instructors.
What you really need to determine is whether or not ATP is the right path for you. If it is pick the location that works best with the confidence that whichever you choose will deliver the save level is training.
Adam
The best way to really get a feel for the SAT location is to go do an Admissions Flight there. This is a great way to see the facility, talk with active students and instructors and most importantly, go flying!
Zack,
The best advice we can give other than connecting with a student/instructor at a location is to schedule an Admissions Flight and Training Center Tour. As Chris linked, you can get first hand experience at that location and meet students/instructors and inquire about specifics of that location. We don’t have the specifics of locations, that you can find at the training center. However, I do know that the location does operate the Piper Archer in their fleet and that they don’t currently have housing at this time, this information you could find available here:
Brady
Thanks for all the responses. I’m definitely leaning towards the ATP route. I do have one other training center I’m considering, but that is only in GTU. We are either moving to the GTU or SAT area in Jun 2024. So that’s kind of my hiccup at the moment. Everything thing else seems to be in order. 
Zack,
All of ATP’s locations have the same curriculum/outline. All of the flight instructors get the same high quality training that meets ATP’s standards as well so you will be fine wherever you choose to attend your ATP training.
The only thing I see a difference in location is just that, location. If you want to get your training done quicker, then I would suggest in a more warmer parts of the country (speaking for other readers as I see you’re looking at SAT).
I’m located here in Minnesota and the last three students who just completed the entire program (with multi-ratings) within the last two weeks finished in 15 months in the “Fast Track Program.” I don’t know their full details as to why it took that long but my guess is they started late in the fall or early winter months of 2021 and then just went through one of our worst aviation winters this last year. Typically students here finish the program in around ten months. I can’t speak for the hotter parts of the country but I am sure they have days where they may not fly in some summer weather because it’s just too hot. I’ve heard AZ students say they have to fly before 11am sometimes, otherwise it’s just too hot out!
The success rate basically falls on each individual student. It all depends on how committed you are to studying, reviewing your after briefing notes from your instructor and taking initiative on the available “free” simulator for extra practice. Plus, being prepared and on time for your next lesson(s) or check rides. Take advantage of working with the other students. After all, you all want to accomplish the same goal, become a pilot!
A quick tip: no matter what school/location you are interested in flying at and are committed, see if you are qualified to pass a first class medical and then try and knock out your written exams ahead of time (PAR, FIA, FII, CAX)! It’s not the end of the world if you don’t but I wish I had!
Paul,
Thank you for adding your insights.
Chris
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Awesome thanks for taking the time to respond. I am planning my physical in Jan 2024, so I ought to have a firm yay or nay then. Hopefully start training in Jun or Jul 2024, fingers crossed. I did a phone consult with an AME & it sounds better than worse…I ain’t trying to jinx myself.
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Zach,
Great! Once you get that first class medical in your hands, start knocking out the written exams! You should be able to get those done by June.
ATP recommends Sporty’s for the Private Pilot (PAR).
After that, use Sheppard Air for the rest of the written.
I and the other students/instructors recommend doing the Commercial (CAX) written next because it’s going to be similar to the PAR and it will be fresh in your head.
Then study the Instrument (IRA). You also can literally take the FII test the same day because that test is the exact same as the IRA. Some students may schedule it a day or two later to study up on what they were weak on the actual test.
Hope this helps and good luck with your exam!
Paul
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Thanks! That seems like a real good idea. I’ve added it to my notes!
Zack,
I am curious, why so long to get your medical exam?
Chris
Sure thing. I am currently a Special Agent and I am eligible to retire at 50 years old in 2024 which gives me a 28 year career and nice pension to live off. Since I’ll be 50, my class 1 medical is only good for 6 months. I figure I’d get one early in 2024 just to make sure I’m good to go and another one round Jun to get into training.
Makes sense.
Zack,
I’m currently at GTU finishing up commercial but I know instructors at SAT and AUS. I can help answer your questions about the locations but the best advice I can give you is to find residence near the training center! The training for the most part is the same only with a few differences in airspaces. It really comes down to where do you want to live. SAT doesn’t have a Seminole for multi so you’ll either have to stay in Arlington after CFI Academy or complete your training at GTU or CXO north of Houston.
David
Awesome, yeah where we finally move to is going to basically be the deciding factor. I’m thinking Blanco or Bulverde, but the Georgetown area is not off the table. Gonna try to do the admissions flight in late Jun at SAT. Very excited.
Blanco and Bulverde roads or towns? If towns, I would not recommend Blanco. That’s a two hour commute one-way and you’ll be miserable during training. One piece of advice you’ll hear over and over from airline pilots is that you can commute but it means more time away from your family so stay close to where you fly from. I was at United’s Training Center this past week and it seemed to be part of the greeting to every pilot I spoke to. “Hi I’m … don’t commute to work.” Lol A lead at my Training Center who accepted a part 135 position after I started the program has travel time on his first day and last day of his schedule so he’s not taking time away from his family. Take that into account for future positions.
David
Yeah, I guess I should have clarified. The towns of Bulverde or Blanco. Blanco to SAT is about 42 miles, I haven’t been out that way in about a year, but did traffic get that much worse?
I may have over exaggerated by saying 2 hours from Blanco to San Antonio but it will take an hour without traffic. They did finally widen and add overpasses north of 1604 on 281 and it did relieve the traffic congestion during rush hour. Only took the state 20 years! I use to have to commute between Austin and San Antonio for work and it does take a toll knowing you could be doing something else with the time you spend commuting. My lead and I were talking on a night flight about how much more quality of information students gain by spending your downtime in the TC sitting in on grounds and talking to others about their experiences in training from how they overcame a challenge to what they struggled in. The hardest part of flight training is that knowledge comes from experience and you’ll have no where near all the experience when finishing the program. The cheat code is to talk to others and learn from their experience in a particular situation to help you make the best decision when put in a similar situation. The FAA created the Wings program to do this exact thing. Although a flight review is required every 24 calendar months, the FAA would rather pilots be apart of the wings program and stay current every year as a substitute to the flight review.
David