Doug Vetter
October 16th 05, 02:49 AM
Hi all,
Just figured I'd let everyone know that after 19 long years, I managed
to pick up my ATP last week. Many thanks to Ryan (of fergworld.com
fame) for providing the ATP resources on his site, as well as answering
several questions via email that helped me get the ball rolling many
months ago.
The written was far more difficult than I thought it would be. You
really need to study for it because it touches on every conceivable
subject and because some test-taking technique is involved. I found
many questions had VERY similar answers. Round too much on one of the
flight planning questions and you'll pick the wrong answer...guaranteed.
The oral exam was essentially that for an instrument rating, with Part
135/121 regs thrown in (the part the examiner grills you on depends on
which written you take). The examiner himself recommended people pick
up the ASA Instrument Oral Exam guide because his questions came
directly from there. I missed a few and I didn't have that book. Hmmmm.
The practical amounted to a multi-engine instrument checkride to tighter
tolerances. You're expected to "make a plan, brief the plan, and
execute the plan". Of course, that's good advice for all pilots -- not
just ATPs. And in general, you're expected to have a certain polish at
this point. Communications, aircraft control, emergency
procedures...everything needs to be done "comfortably". No jerky
control movements, no missed checklists, etc. Not necessarily hard, but
the devil is in the details.
My examiner was cool in that we did the checkride in solid actual
conditions. That was a lot of fun. It was also my first time doing
single engine work in actual with the rain beating on the window. Now
all I need is find a nicely equipped Seneca or Baron in NJ I can fly...I
mean, I like the 172, but I'm actually not looking forward to flying it
to SimCom in Memphis next month -- it's just too dang slow. :-)
Anyway, check out the full article by going to my site (note that
dvcfi.com is now dvatp.com) and click through:
Aviation->Articles->Miscellaneous->ATP Certificate
Hope you enjoy reading it.
Safe flying,
-Doug
--------------------
Doug Vetter, ATP/CFI
http://www.dvatp.com
--------------------
Just figured I'd let everyone know that after 19 long years, I managed
to pick up my ATP last week. Many thanks to Ryan (of fergworld.com
fame) for providing the ATP resources on his site, as well as answering
several questions via email that helped me get the ball rolling many
months ago.
The written was far more difficult than I thought it would be. You
really need to study for it because it touches on every conceivable
subject and because some test-taking technique is involved. I found
many questions had VERY similar answers. Round too much on one of the
flight planning questions and you'll pick the wrong answer...guaranteed.
The oral exam was essentially that for an instrument rating, with Part
135/121 regs thrown in (the part the examiner grills you on depends on
which written you take). The examiner himself recommended people pick
up the ASA Instrument Oral Exam guide because his questions came
directly from there. I missed a few and I didn't have that book. Hmmmm.
The practical amounted to a multi-engine instrument checkride to tighter
tolerances. You're expected to "make a plan, brief the plan, and
execute the plan". Of course, that's good advice for all pilots -- not
just ATPs. And in general, you're expected to have a certain polish at
this point. Communications, aircraft control, emergency
procedures...everything needs to be done "comfortably". No jerky
control movements, no missed checklists, etc. Not necessarily hard, but
the devil is in the details.
My examiner was cool in that we did the checkride in solid actual
conditions. That was a lot of fun. It was also my first time doing
single engine work in actual with the rain beating on the window. Now
all I need is find a nicely equipped Seneca or Baron in NJ I can fly...I
mean, I like the 172, but I'm actually not looking forward to flying it
to SimCom in Memphis next month -- it's just too dang slow. :-)
Anyway, check out the full article by going to my site (note that
dvcfi.com is now dvatp.com) and click through:
Aviation->Articles->Miscellaneous->ATP Certificate
Hope you enjoy reading it.
Safe flying,
-Doug
--------------------
Doug Vetter, ATP/CFI
http://www.dvatp.com
--------------------