In the United States, pilot certification is governed under Part 61 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) perscribed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). While these regulations address certification and training required for all FAA licenses, 14 CFR Subpart G discusses those requirements needed to become an Airline Transport Pilot. This license is typically refered to as the “ATP” and should not be confused with the Commercial Pilot Certificate, which has certain restrictions.
Eligibility Requirements to Become an Airline Pilot
Part 14 CFR § 61.153 discusses the basic eligibility to become a professional airline pilot. They are:
- Minimum age of 23 (21 with certain exceptions related to the pilots aeronautical experience)
- Be able to speak, read, and write in the English language.
- Be of good moral character
- Have prior prerequisite licenses or experience to qualify for the license
- Pass an FAA Written Examination
- Pass an FAA Practical Evaluation (referred to as a “Checkride”)
For pilots qualifying for an FAA licenses from another country the regulations spell out detailed criteria for how this process works. Refer to the regulations or your local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) for questions regarding foreign licenses.
Aeronautical Experience Requirements
The following are the general experience requirements to apply for the ATP license under 14 CFR § 61.159. There are specific allowances that allow for pilots to apply for a Restricted ATP. This version of the license has different experience requirements and applies to those who complete an aeronautical study curriculum at a college or university, graduate from an accredited flight school, or flew as a pilot in the United States Armed Forces. See Restricted ATP experience for these exceptions. Below are the general requirements:
- 1,500 hours of total flight experience
- 500 hours of cross country flight time
- 100 hours of night flight experience
- 50 hours of flight time in the class of airplace for the rating sought.
- 75 hours of Instrument flight (Actual or simulated)
- 250 hours of Pilot In Command (PIC) experience
Under the regulations, some experience can be derived by acting as a Flight Engineer or Second In Command (SIC). See the full regulations for these details. The regulations also allow for the use of flight simulators, though, the certification of such equipment is required and there are lengthy specific requirements pilots should validate to ensure they are legally allowed to credit the time. See this article for more about logging simulator time.
Restricted ATP Experience Requirements
As exceptions to 14 CFR § 61.159, 61.160 details certain allowances to the rules. These requirements are based on eligibility of certain programs or qualifying experience. Additionally, pilots may qualify for the ATP with only 200 hours of cross country experience so long as they have met the other requirements. The caveat to this restricted licenses is that the pilot will not be able to be Captain at an airline until they remove the restriction. This is done easily upon completing the necessary experience. The 3 bases for issuing an R-ATP are as follows:
(a) Except for a person who has been removed from flying status for lack of proficiency or because of a disciplinary action involving aircraft operations, a U.S. military pilot or former U.S. military pilot may apply for an airline transport pilot certificate with an airplane category multiengine class rating or an airline transport pilot certificate concurrently with a multiengine airplane type rating with a minimum of 750 hours of total time as a pilot if the pilot presents:
(1) An official Form DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) indicating that the person was honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces or an official U.S. Armed Forces record that shows the pilot is currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces; and
(2) An official U.S. Armed Forces record that shows the person graduated from a U.S. Armed Forces undergraduate pilot training school and received a rating qualification as a military pilot.
(b) A person may apply for an airline transport pilot certificate with an airplane category multiengine class rating or an airline transport pilot certificate concurrently with a multiengine airplane type rating with a minimum of 1,000 hours of total time as a pilot if the person:
(1) Holds a Bachelor’s degree with an aviation major from an institution of higher education, as defined in § 61.1, that has been issued a letter of authorization by the Administrator under § 61.169;
(2) Completes 60 semester credit hours of aviation and aviation-related coursework that has been recognized by the Administrator as coursework designed to improve and enhance the knowledge and skills of a person seeking a career as a professional pilot;
(3) Holds a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane category and instrument rating if:
(i) The required ground training was completed as part of an approved part 141 curriculum at the institution of higher education; and
(ii) The required flight training was completed as part of an approved part 141 curriculum at the institution of higher education or at a part 141 pilot school that has a training agreement under § 141.26 of this chapter with the institution of higher education; and
(4) Presents official transcripts or other documentation acceptable to the Administrator from the institution of higher education certifying that the graduate has satisfied the requirements in paragraphs (b)(1) through (3) of this section.
(c) A person may apply for an airline transport pilot certificate with an airplane category multiengine class rating or an airline transport pilot certificate concurrently with a multiengine airplane type rating with a minimum of 1,250 hours of total time as a pilot if the person:
(1) Holds an Associate’s degree with an aviation major from an institution of higher education, as defined in § 61.1, that has been issued a letter of authorization by the Administrator under § 61.169;
(2) Completes at least 30 semester credit hours of aviation and aviation-related coursework that has been recognized by the Administrator as coursework designed to improve and enhance the knowledge and skills of a person seeking a career as a professional pilot;
(3) Holds a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane category and instrument rating if:
(i) The required ground training was completed as part of an approved part 141 curriculum at the institution of higher education; and
(ii) The required flight training was completed as part of an approved part 141 curriculum at the institution of higher education or at a part 141 pilot school that has a written training agreement under § 141.26 of this chapter with the institution of higher education; and
(4) Presents official transcripts or other documentation acceptable to the Administrator from the institution of higher education certifying that the graduate has satisfied the requirements in paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this section.
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