I attended the ATP-CTP course at Delta’s Aircrew Training Center recently. Why did I go there and what did I learn?

“Why” is easy – the course is a prerequisite for the knowledge test to become an Airline Transport Pilot – my next aviation goal. So, why “there”? The 40-hour course is offered in several places around the country, all but one of them cheaper than Delta. All would require airfare to get there and a rental car to get around. Delta’s training center is in Atlanta, an easy drive for me. The course fee includes Gleim’s test prep, a voucher for PSI’s testing center, pizza & beer after the last day of academics. It also includes a guaranteed look at your application.

Upset recovery training materials.

Landing at KATL in the left seat.

My sim partner was an Air Force F-16 pilot. He was the only person in the class with less multi-engine time than me (though that didn't mean a lot).

Closer to touchdown at KATL.

The mountains just kept getting bigger and bigger! CFIT - Controlled Flight Into Terrain - training in the Boeing 717 simulator at the Delta Training Center.

I just fit in this engine. Glad it's not running!

Right seat into KATL while my sim partner is flying.

This is the Airbus A320 sim. I was in a very similar looking box for the Boeing 717. They feel very realistic when seated inside.

Delta New Hire Demographics.

Delta New Hire Demographics.

Delta New Hire Demographics.

Looks like a lot to learn!

The light at the end of the tunnel is a jet intake! Delta Museum, Atlanta, GA.

Walkthrough tunnel connecting two parts of the Delta Museum, Altanta, GA.

This is probably the closest I'll ever get to flying a 747! Delta Museum, Atlanta, GA.

Congress pretty much told the FAA what the content of the course should be. I don’t think the legislation includes the statement “death by PowerPoint” but that’s what much of ATP-CTP is anywhere you take it. The Delta version includes a lot of interesting insight into the company and its hiring practices. The topics on high altitude aerodynamics, historical failures of Crew Resource Management, and so on were all interesting, but what you really want is the 411 on getting hired. Here’s what I learned:

Contrary to popular legend, only 25 percent of Delta’s new hires the last couple decades are military. The other 75 percent is from the traditional route. Of the military hires, the US Air Force makes up the preponderance of the hires. In 2021 the individual with the lowest flight time had not quite 1,800 hours. The highest had 20,000, with the average just over 5,000. Of the non-military hires, the vast majority came from another Part 121 organization, mostly Regionals, though ten came from United. The two biggest non-military categories of hires were “Part 135” and “Other,” but these two were grossly outnumbered by the 15 or so named 121 organizations.

Update summer of 2024. I finally took the ATM Knowledge Test. I prepared using a combination of King Schools, Sheppard Air, and my own notes. I passed. I was happy.