Hello everyone! Thought I would introduce myself. My name is Geoffrey, I am currently a Locomotive Engineer for a high speed railroad. I started looking into ATP last year and had the pleasure to actually meet Chris and have some very valuable conversations with him. I have been dormant the last year as timing just wasn’t right. I am happy to say today I officially submitted my application with ATP for the DuPage location in Illinois. I’m looking forward to being involved on the page more as I begin this new chapter of life! This page has been very helpful and can’t wait to continue learning more, and one day being able to assist others in the future.
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Geoffrey,
Welcome to the forum, I’ve had the opportunity to have a lunch with Chris once, if I remember correctly… I had pizza, though it wasn’t New York or Chicago style, I suffered for some Newark pizza. It was pleasant, nice guy Chris is. 
Do you have an approximate date you’re looking to enroll with ATP? Have you started the process to start any of the AKTs?
Looking forward to another success story in the making. 
Brady
Thank you! Sometimes you have to suffer to build valuable relationships. It’s always a take and give if it’s not Chicago Pizza.
I am targeting to start in April so I have a little time. I’ve been working on my private pilot so hope to have that done shortly. Talking with admissions I am at the point where I could either finish my Private and start with private credit. Or just call what I’ve done a wash and start from zero. I have 26.2 hours in so far and am right at the verge of solo. I see benefits to doing it either way. So that’s the hardest decision. I’m just afraid of doing my private now and taking too long and miss the April sign up time.
Either way I’m very excited for this next chapter and getting in the air full time.
Geoffrey,
One thing to keep in mind, to get credit for your PPL you’ll need at least 78hrs of flight time. Not just earn the certificate.
As for what you should do, the only time we recommend getting your PPL first is if you’re not certain ATP (or flying) is what you want to do. If you have decided, why wouldn’t you want to earn your first license, the certificate that all your training will be built on with the program you’ve decided to trust with the rest of your training? Just the fact you’re at 26hrs and still haven’t soloed should give you some idea how inefficient part-time local training is.
Your choice but I’d cut and run.
Adam
Geoff,
We met at the FMY open house, I remember it well. I am. so glad to learn that you are taking the leap to being a pilot.
At the point where you are now, I would suspend your flight training and just start all over. Part time training is incredibly inefficient, I should know as I did my PPL that way and it took way longer than it should have. How long has it been from your first flight to now?
Good to hear from you again.
Chris
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Thank you for the help so far Chris. Very glad to be here and getting things in motion now. I heard back this morning from ATP already and they accepted my application and passed the pre enrollment interview. I am still a little torn what route to go. But feel starting zero time will be best. It will be more efficient, and I would rather have the rest of my hours for PPL be in the aircraft I will be using for the rest of my ratings.
Hello Adam. I am leaning more heavily towards starting ATP with zero time. It would be cheaper to finish it now since my aircraft rental is $135 an hour. But there is value in the additional time I will get in the aircraft I’ll finish my ratings by starting zero time.
Geoff,
Okay so looking at April, that is 9 months away, I would start preparing the writtens 6 months out from your proposed start date. Since Airmen Knowledge Tests (AKT) are good for 24 calendar months, at this time ATP’s program is 7 months long, while your first major exams are used in the first 5 months of the program, you would have almost an entire year if something came up in a delay.
I would recommend just waiting to finish your PPL with ATP, start saving funds, and use the knowledge and time you have now to complete in one shot. I had a student (they were stellar) came in with almost 30 hours, just soloed at their school, but didn’t think where they were going was feasible. They are now instructing at an ATP location.
Take the $135 you are spending per hour and put it towards the 7 writtens you must take, other than your PAR if you already took it.
Brady
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Geoff,
Good news from ATP, glad to hear it. Let us know what you end up doing and when you schedule an official class date.
Chris
Taking that money and using it towards the written tests is a very good way of thinking. I appreciate everyone’s input and advice. I have scheduled my introduction flight for September 9th at DPA. Trying to finish my private now will just cost more money upfront I frankly don’t have. And it could cost me a lot more in the long run by using up the valuable time prior to the program to knock out all of the written tests.
Hello Everyone!
I am excited to announce my start date at the Chicago DuPage location (KDPA) will be on April 29th!!
I recently completed my admissions flight at the Orlando location and have paid the deposit and officially enrolled. This has been a long time in the making and still have a bit before I start. But it gives me the time to make sure everything is in order and have no distractions during my program.
I will be taking full advantage of this time to get all the written tests done prior to start. I appreciate everyone’s help so far and look forward to the continued and new relationships built with this forum.
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Geoffrey,
That is awesome, I am glad to hear that you locked in a start date. I am also glad to hear that you will be working on your written exams, that will be a huge help to you in the program. Please keep us up to date and let us know any questions you might have.
Chris
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Geoffrey,
Welcome to the ATP family! There is plenty of time to get things accomplished and even a little more. Looking forward to progress updates here.
Brady
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Geoffrey,
Congratulations on making the leap! You’re embarking on the most rewarding journey. We are all so happy for you! Please keep us updated on your written exam progress and let us know if you have any questions. Your start date will be here before you know it!
Hannah
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