My daughter is a junior at UNC-Chapel Hill and is hoping to graduate this summer. She has recently started taking lessons at a local flight school to obtain her PPL and is considering enrolling in ATP-Raleigh, NC in the fall. My question is whether or not it would be possible for her to actually go ahead and get her PPL with ATP now and then wait to enroll in the commercial program in the fall. Just seems like it makes more sense for her to do all of her training at ATP but she wants to go ahead knock out the PPL now. Can you advise if ATP has a PPL stand-alone program?
Susie,
ATP does not. ATP offers 2 programs. One from zero and one with credit for your PPL.
Flight training depends heavily on consistency and during breaks between students lose their skills.
I would encourage her to wait as there’s really no benefit to getting her PPL early. Further keep in mind to get credit for her PPL she’ll need at least 78hrs of flight time.
Adam
Thank you!
Susie,
Like Adam said, there are two programs at ATP, Zero Time and Credit Private. Since your daughter is super close to finishing out college with a bachelor’s degree, I would hold off on flight training and focus on completing the degree. I’m not sure if there is enough time for your daughter to complete her training and acquire 78 hours of flight time and 8 hours of PIC XC by the fall?
I came into ATP Credit Private, and I can say, I had bad habits that I probably would not have developed if attended ATP, i.e., checklist usage, preflight preparation, etc. ATP is very standardized in a way that no matter where you train or who your instructor is, you will receive the same material and training throughout the nation. I started doing my flight training at a small-scale school near my home and it took me 13 months to what I thought would take me only a few months. There are lots of factors take place in making the decision of where and when to start flight training.
Brady
Hi. Quick question. Is it beneficial in terms of acceptance into the ATP program to already have a ppl? I spoke with admissions today and they told me that since ATP is so competitive and accepts only about 1% of its applicants, it is critical to have my ppl prior to applying to ATP. I am not so sure about that and feel like it will take me so much longer to acquire my ppl at a small school at a local airport. I am looking to apply next year for a 2025 start date. What’s your advice on this. Thank you much
Franco,
As admin said it can definitely give you a leg up on acceptance BUT as long as you can check the other boxes on the admin checklist (found on the website) I think you’ll be fine.
That said maybe a year-9mos out Id actually start the admissions process and see for certain as that would give you time to get your PPL if it’s required for you.
Adam
Franco,
I am with Adam here. Apply early and make sure you can get accepted without having a PPL. Then if need be, go get one. I have heard of more students needing their PPL before entering recently.
Chris