My introduction + a question about what to get ahead on with a tight turnaround start date

Hi there!

My name is Hunter Heilman, and I am starting at ATP Raleigh/Durham quite soon (Nov. 11 to be exact), which I’ve now learned on here is a pretty quick turnaround for a start date, as I only scheduled it three days ago. It’s been a very long process for me as I quite nearly started two years ago, but was stopped at my medical, and had to obtain an SSRI special issuance for my first class medical, which I did successfully, albeit after a very long, thorough, expensive process.

Since my turnaround is comparatively quick from my test flight to my start date, I was wondering if anyone had any advice as to what are the most important things to try to knock out to get ahead before Nov. 11? I’m currently still working until Nov. 8, as I provided a respectful notice to my longtime job that I would be leaving after that permanently. I attempted to work around my remaining work dates to try to do the ATP Elevate courses for Private, but I’ve unfortunately not been able to get schedule coverage on conflicting days, and I feel like having a disjointed Elevate class schedule would almost be more counterintuitive than to just save them for once I start. (Or maybe not? Clearly that’s merely an assumption on my part and am seeking more experienced advice.)

I’ve begun studying via the Sporty’s Study Buddy app to start the rote memorization process for my PAR writtens, which I intend to knock out before my start date, but I just wanted to see if anyone with a bit more experience had any other suggestions for anything else to do to try to get as ahead as I possibly can in the short time I have in-between scheduling and my actual start date. I understand that this turnaround doesn’t really give much wiggle room to get as much done as would be ideal, but I am dedicated and ready to work once everything gets moving. I certainly spent enough time and money getting here getting my medical that anything less isn’t an option.

I’m very excited to hear from all of you, as I’ve been reading this forum for a while now (and know that none of you care to waste anyone’s time with beating around the bush, which is appreciated), and to get to know you all in the upcoming years during my time at ATP-RDU and beyond!

Hunter Heilman

Hunter,

I would simply make certain to check all the boxes on the “Showing up Prepared” checklist. Everything else is gravy.

Adam

Thank you so much! I’ve already completed everything needed for orientation, as well as my first day, and have gotten all my required materials. I feel a little better knowing that simply doing what I can to get ahead with my remaining time won’t hinder me.

If that’s the case then yea, start working on that PAR!

Adam

Hunter,

Sorry I’m 2 days late on this thread, things get lost sometimes when scrolling. Since you’re already ahead of the game with preparation, really do your best to knock the PAR out of the park. While the program is designed to complete the writtens within the timeline, it is a sigh of relief being able to focus solely on learning how to fly rather then having to cram everything on the ground. AND, if you have time thereafter, try and complete the IRA/FII if you’re able, trust me, life will be much more relaxed.

Brady

Hunter,

Congrats on the start date! That’s exciting but I can also understand the nerves with its proximity. The best thing you can do is to knock out as many written exams as you possibly can before starting. It just lightens your load for the day to day studying and you’ll thank yourself for that later. Don’t focus on learning the material just yet, just utilize rote memorization to get the tests done.

Hannah