Well I passed my one-year mark of instructing, and a while before that, I broke my 500-hour total time mark. I remember hearing people say that being an instructor is an invaluable experience and one learns more than they could ever learn from instructing. I didn't really think it would be as much of a valuable experience than it actually has. I think back to my first hour of giving instruction, and I've learned an incredible amount. Things become second nature and knowledge about instruments, flying and everything else about aviation become much more readily available. When it comes to landings, for example, my "picture", as they say, is so keen, that I can tell immediately the problem or the smallest bit of error. Ironically, I rarely get to land the plane. But even so, when I actually do, I've seen so many that I'm able to make a really good landing in spite of it being a while since doing it.
I'm also getting checked out in a G-1000 C172, which is pretty fun. But if you know any Garmin GPS, like the 430 in my case, it's pretty easy to understand.
My last bit of update, is that I should be taking my CFII checkride soon. I've been studying up for it for quite some time and I'm also waiting on one of my students to get ready for his PPL, so that we could do it at the same time (the examiner is at a different airport). Most likely, that'll be my next update. God be with me.
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Thanks for the update. I haven't visited ATP yet, but preliminarily I think it would be a good fit for me, especially since I live in Jacksonville already. The one thing I have a hard time believing is how fast they claim you can go from virtually no hours to the right seat of a regional. I read all the testimonials on their website and it seems for real, but as someone who spent 5 years getting two college degrees it seems crazy that I could be piloting a jet in less than a year. So, based on your experiences and people you know, is that realistic even for someone who's highly motivated? Or are those people in the minority? A second question would be what are your thoughts on pursuing the same career path through a smaller (and possibly less expensive) flight school? Do the airlines really value ATP that highly, or would it benefit me just as much to only use ATP for the regional jet course at the appropriate time? Finally (sorry this is so long) do you have an opinion of the delta connection school? I filled out an online request for a brochure , and the admissions officer won't leave me alone. Thanks for the input and good luck with the CFII. Happy Thanksgiving.
Hey Zack,
It is only possible to get from 0 hours to a regional if the regionals are hiring. Not only do they need to be hiring but hiring at low time as well. You'll have roughly 230 hours coming out of ATP and some regionals may not be hiring pilots at that low of time. It's happened in the past only because those people were at the right place at the right time. So if they're not hiring then you'll instruct. I also highly reccomend obtaining your private license at a local flight school rather than ATP. You'll have more time to really soak in all the information you'll learn when you're first beginning to fly, and you'll gain some experience. The rest of the ratings you can get wherever you decide to go. You can do it going through either one. I've not heard good things about Delta Connection Academy, but I haven't been so it's only what I've heard. To the airlines a school is a school, they won't prefer anyone any more because they went to ATP. The jet course was used because the regionals were hiring with so few hours they noticed that one could pass similar traning they would have. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have other questions. Take care and Happy Thajsgiving to you as well.
Thanks for the response....sorry I haven't replied sooner. I think I've decided finish up my private at a local fbo and see what happens. I think that'll give me a good idea of whether it's something I still want to pursue as a career. Additionally, I don't think it makes much sense to rush through an accelerated program in this economy. Thanks again for all your input and best of luck.
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