I’m currently 25 hours into my PPL and am looking at my next options. I am strongly considering ATP, but the issue is the minimum of 78 hours to enter with credit for PPL. At ATP, I can rent a plane for $250 an hour, but at my current school it would cost me $210 an hour to work on my instrument rating. So my question: apart from money, is there any advantage to starting ATP with instrument rating, or maybe like 20 hours of instrument training? Would I still have to go through ATP’s full instrument training program? And my final question, if I’m approved for financing, does that cover hour building to get to 78 hours?
Tristan,
My question is this, why do you want to do the bulk of your training with ATP? Clearly there’s something about the school and the program that appeals to you. Maybe it’s the accelerated pace, maybe it’s the quality of training and their incomparable success rate. Regardless I’m always kind of baffled when people want to do their primary training elsewhere. While many people believe they may save some money (sure $210 is less than $250) in the long run most people don’t. Further many get frustrated and never reach their goals. Regardless the choice is yours.
To answer your question ATP has 2 program options, one with credit for your PPL and one without. That’s it. Even if you complete your Instrument rating would still repeat that phase, you would get no credit, you simply wouldn’t have to take the checkride.
The bank will approve you for money based on your credit. If approved for additional funds you can use them how you like.
Adam
Thanks for the quick answer. I’m very interested in ATP for both the speed and airline connections. I’m not sure there’s another school that gets you all your licenses as fast as ATP, United Aviate is the closest thing, but from what I can see, Aviate and ATP have connections.
The reason I’m doing my PPL elsewhere is because I knew I was interested in ATP but it said I’d need an associates degree to join and start from zero.
Another question regarding finances, this is more of a financial question than a flying related question, so if no one can answer I fully understand, but if I’ve never used a credit card or had any debt does that make me less likely to be approved for financing? Would it be better to get a credit card and make sure to pay it off so that I have better credit?
Tristan,
You’re going to need more than just a credit card. Your talking about getting an unsecured loan for a significant amount of money. You really need to talk to the folks in finance but in all likelihood you’re going to need a co-signer.
Adam
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Tristan,
I would hold off on doing any instrument training (excluding written test(s)) outside of ATP if your goal is to attend ATP. The only reason I recommend this is because you could acquire bad habits and/or raise the overall cost of your training since you haven’t started it yet. There is a thing with instrument flying that I found to be a bit, organized and ritual. Once you get into a ritual of using checklist regularly it becomes second nature to the point you instinctively start to utilize it during your flight. The other is doing prebriefings and preflight planning, which I found at a smaller-scale school to not be as standardized. I don’t know anything about your current school or their policies, but ATP is standardized across the board so everyone receives the same training and criterion from Day 1 to “Hero.”
Using the quick estimate you provided us, $210 x 20 hrs. = $4,200. I don’t know the breakdown of cost for each phase at ATP, but to me that seems like a chunk of change to use to repeat what you’re going to have “relearn.” ASIDE of what you’re going to have to pay to time build. Another quick thought is you can finish up your time for enrollment through ATP which could be used to familiarize and acquaint yourself with ATP standards/procedures before you begin your Day 1 Credit Private phase.
United Aviate and Aviate Academy are two different things (retrospect of partnership versus training) if you’re looking at doing your training at ATP. You would be looking at the United Aviate partnership, not the Aviate Academy. In which you would apply and then interview if your application continues through the selection process.
Discuss with the finance team at ATP your options. If you apply for the loan solely and denied, try with a co-signor (if have to), and if that still is not an option. Another option is why not try and apply for the Aviate Academy? I know individuals that came to introductory flights with an Aviate interview, exploring their options. At the end of the day, it comes down to what you can financially do and what is best for you.
Brady
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Tristan,
Without a credit history you will need a co-signer on your loan.
I obtained my PPL at a local school. For time building I rented a plane and flew friends and family. It was less expensive than paying for instruction.
Tory