To obtain an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate for airplane operations in the United States, pilots must meet specific requirements set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Here's an overview of the typical requirements:
- Eligibility: To be eligible for an ATP certificate, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 23 years old.
- Hold a valid second-class medical certificate (first-class for airline transport pilot privileges).
- Hold at least a commercial pilot certificate with instrument and multi-engine airplane ratings.
- Flight Time Requirements: Pilots must have accumulated a significant amount of flight experience, including:
- Total flight time: A minimum of 1,500 hours of total flight time, including at least:
- 500 hours of cross-country flight time.
- 100 hours of night flight time.
- Total flight time: A minimum of 1,500 hours of total flight time, including at least:
- 50 hours of flight time in the class of airplane for the rating sought.
- 75 hours of instrument flight time (actual or simulated).
- Multi-engine airplane time: At least 50 hours of multi-engine airplane time.
- ATP Certification Training Program (CTP): Completion of an FAA-approved ATP Certification Training Program (CTP) course. The ATP CTP course covers topics such as aerodynamics, automation, adverse weather conditions, high altitude operations, and more.
- Knowledge Test: Pass the FAA ATP written knowledge test, which covers advanced topics related to aircraft systems, regulations, performance, and more.
- Training: Completion of the necessary training hours required by the ATP CTP course and any additional training necessary to meet ATP practical test standards.
- Practical Test (ATPE-ASEL Checkride): Passing the ATP practical test (checkride), which includes an oral examination and a flight test administered by an FAA-designated pilot examiner (DPE).
- Additional Requirements for Airline Operations: For pilots seeking employment with airlines, additional requirements may apply, including specific aircraft type ratings, company-specific training programs, and proficiency checks.
It's important to note that these are general requirements, and there may be variations or additional requirements depending on individual circumstances, such as whether the pilot is obtaining the ATP certificate under Part 61 or Part 141 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, or if the pilot is obtaining additional ratings concurrently. Additionally, some pilots may qualify for reduced-hour requirements based on military aviation experience or other specific circumstances.