Making the jump - ATP

Just got back from my Private Multi IFR checkride and that went really well. I only used 9 hours of the 14 provided so more cross country time for me. I did my checkride with Mr. Weems who was a very fair DE even though I’m relatively sure he was trying to mess with me when he removed his headset to comb his hair not once, but twice inbetween commands. He forgot to have me fly a single-engine approach and he told me to make my last landing of that flight a full stop so I didn’t argue with him. However this meant we had to get back up and shoot the VOR/DME single engine approach back in after lunch. So far so good, I’m really looking forward to the upcoming crosscountry flights. I also got my 20 lb. box of Jepp charts today which I will have to convert to against my will.

Arrived at 8 a.m. and met up with my instructor and roomate. Filled out paperwork for about 3 hours, met the chief pilot then went back to the aparment with our instructor to look for damage. After that we had about a 1 hour lunch break, pre-flighted a seminole and did a 2 hour ground lesson on the oral questions for our Multi add-on. They also gave us workbooks with about 27 daily quizzes and a CFI packet so the plan for now is to get as many quizzes done as possible (I’m aiming for this weekend to be done with all of them.) So I have plenty of time to finish the CFI pretest the legitimate way, which is rarely done. Also since I came instrment rated I will have to do a engine out ILS approach on my checkride, which I have never done before. I will definetly be studying tonight.

*Anyone reading this who is coming into the program really make sure you know the seminole supplement inside and out.

14 hours of driving and 4 hours of sleeping in my car ouside of ATP later I checked in around 7 a.m. The facility is decent and actually has an ATP sign which is nice after trying to locate the secret unmarked chicago location. The apartmens are better than what I expected but did not have any internet access so I had to cave and buy a broadband card which is actually pretty awesome. We are in a nice 2 bedroom unit with beds in each bedroom. After talking to one of the guys who has been here for 2.5 months it seems like the program is pretty easy up until the CFI section. Anyways I’m ready to start training tomorrow and we will see how that goes.

Well I finally hit 300 hours yesterday and started a list of sqawks on our plane so it will be headed right back into maintenance for an oil change as well as warranty service. The studying is coming along very well and I applied for an FCC radio license so I don’t have to do it later on. I only have a few loose ends to tie up here now before I’m ready to drive to Texas.

Well I start ATP @ Arlington Nov. 5th According to what ATP has told me and what other people have done in preperation I should be well ahead but it doesn’t feel like it. I have my private and an instrument rating as well as an instrument and advanced ground instructor certificate. I also have my Commercial, CFI and CFII writtens done. I have all of my v-speeds down and oral questions are coming along from the seminole supplement. I have 277 hours and about 160 of that is glass. I haven’t flown in a week because of maintenance and I haven’t filed instrument in a few months now which I hope I can change before I have to drive to texas. So for the next few days I will be going over the seminole supplement and maybe reading through the multi-engine oral guide and hope our plane gets out of maintenance early enough for me to get some time in.