Alright, so at this point, I think I have chosen what school I would like to attend. What should I do first? Should I start with the medical or applying to my school?
Aurora
Aurora,
I would start out with the medical, since that will be required whether or not you apply to this school.
Where did you choose to go? When?
I would also start preparing for the private written exam if you have some extra time on your hands.
Yarden
Yarden,
Thank you. I assumed that would be the first step, just wanted to be sure.
I think I’m going to go for TTN in NJ.
What is this private written exam you speak of? What knowledge should I obtain prior to this?
Aurora
Aurora,
Great choice! I instructed for ATP in TTN. Great location. Busy airspace and lots of little airports around to visit. You’re gonna have fun!
There are a series of written exams you must pass for the majority of your licenses and ratings. There’s the Private, Instrument, Commercial, and 2 for the Flight Instructor. ATP provides you with the study material but we often recommend you take some if not all the exams prior to training to get them out of the way. ATP will reimburse you for the cost of the exams but not the study materials. You can either purchase them yourself prior or wait till it gets closer to your start date and they’ll be sent to you. ATP uses Sheppard Air’s test prep but there are many. Gleim, Sporty’s and ASA all make popular preps. You also need to get an instructor sign off prior to taking the exams (the FAA doesn’t want you wasting your time or theirs). Again if it’s just prior you can go to ATP and show them some practice tests you’ve passed otherwise the prep companies will usually send you a sign off again with proof of passed practice exams.
Adam
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Adam,
Is that something I can do while I am attending ATP? I feel like it would be easier to do it all at the same time, or is it a requirement to be accepted into the school?
Aurora
Aurora,
Definitely something you can do during which is why ATP supplies the materials BUT no it does not make it easier. Totally your call. As we’ve said, the training at ATP is quite busy and rigorous and many people find it advantageous to get at least some of them out of the way prior. That was the advice I was given and so I did (I believe Chris and Yarden did as well). There were pilots who did theirs during and did fine, they were just that much busier.
Adam
Adam,
Thank you for this advice. I figure at the time I am in school, I should be more comfortable with certain things as I will be around planes more often and will study on weekends. Currently the last time I flew was over 6 years ago. I think I’ll take my chances and do it while I am in school. 
Also, I’m going to get started with the medical certificate soon as I was told I will need a special issuance certificate and that will take a few months to complete all the necessary processes.
Aurora
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