Got my ATP!

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
--------------------

Congratulations on the ATP. Its not only an accomplishment of
knowledge and skill, but also over a thousand hours of flying
experience.

"Doug Vetter" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

Just figured I'd let everyone know that after 19 long years, I managed to
pick up my ATP last week.

Doug:
Congratulations on the ATP!!!! That is a level I know
I will not achieve.I do not have time eneough left to even
log all the hours needed let alone pass all the tests.I guess
starting training at 69 puts some limits on. :-)

All the best

Bob Barker N8749S

("Doug Vetter" wrote)
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
http://www.dvatp.com


Congratulations on the ATP.

VERY nice website.

http://www.dvatp.com/gallery/garmin396/kutztown_track_9_3_05
This one was fun ....Page 11 of 21 in the Garmin 396 Album

What's that airplane looking symbol in the lower left and top middle?


Montblack

I'd say that those are "blanks" for some kind of clock or timer.
Jim

"Montblack" wrote in message
...
("Doug Vetter" wrote)
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
http://www.dvatp.com


Congratulations on the ATP.

VERY nice website.

http://www.dvatp.com/gallery/garmin396/kutztown_track_9_3_05
This one was fun ....Page 11 of 21 in the Garmin 396 Album

What's that airplane looking symbol in the lower left and top middle?


Montblack

Montblack wrote:
What's that airplane looking symbol in the lower left and top middle?

Jim is correct. That's simply the time since the last weather update
(Wx = Weather). __;__ means no weather has been received, while -00:02
means weather has been received two minutes ago.

The distinction is subtle, but absolutely necessary so people don't
assume a clear screen means no echos.

Glad you enjoyed the site.

Safe flying,

-Doug

--------------------
Doug Vetter, ATP/CFI

http://www.dvatp.com
--------------------

Doug,
Congratulations for getting the Aviation Ph. D. It's quite a
milestone.

Hai Longworth

Congratulations, that's huge. And you should be very proud. I just got
my instrument a month ago, and I felt great about that. As do we all, I
have a long way to go.

How was the flight test?

Is the oral as tough as they say? I'm starting on mine now. S/b done by
Jan.06

--

Thx, {|;-)

Victor J. (Jim) Osborne, Jr.
"Doug Vetter" wrote in message
...
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
--------------------

Victor J. Osborne, Jr. wrote:
How was the flight test?

Is the oral as tough as they say? I'm starting on mine now. S/b done by
Jan.06

They were both challenging, but like any other exam, reasonable if well
prepared.

For more detail, check out the article on my site.

-Doug

--------------------
Doug Vetter, ATP/CFI

http://www.dvatp.com
--------------------