Airline Transport Pilot

The Airplane Transport Pilot is the highest rating you can achieve and is usually one of the primary requirements to apply for a pilot position at an airline, even at the regional level. There are instances where even though you do not have your ATP yet, if you meet and have all the requirements of an ATP, some airlines may hire you anyway. The reason is that at the end of your 6 to 7 weeks of training, your final check flight can count as an ATP check flight, and they will issue your certificate. Many corporate flight departments also require this level of certificate for their Captains. There is a knowledge test and a practical test, usually in a multi engine airplane. Even though you can get a single engine ATP, the application is not very useful. A pilot must have at least 1,500 hours of total flight time to be eligible for the ATP unless they qualify for a restricted ATP. 

To be eligible for a restricted ATP, an applicant must attend an accredited higher education facility that offers flight training. In other words, a university or college that has a flight program. The flight program must be an FAR part 141 certified training program. It must also have a letter of agreement and authorization from the FAA for a restricted ATP program specifically. Most colleges or universities that have a flight program are also FAR 141 approved but many do not offer the restricted ATP program. If you attend one of these colleges and you receive your instrument rating and Commercial Pilot license thru their program, you are eligible for a restricted ATP. At this point, there are two possible restrictions. The first, in conjunction with your flight training, you received a full bachelor’s degree in an aviation related field, as approved by the program, you may obtain your ATP with 1,000 hours of total flight time instead of 1,500. 

The 2nd possible restriction is like the first, but if you only receive an associate or a minor degree in an aviation related field, you are eligible for an ATP with 1,250 total flight hours instead of the basic 1,500 hours. Some things to keep in mind are the cost of training from the university versus privately from a small flight school as well as the total flight time and experience upon graduation. If a student starts early enough, they may have 1,500 upon graduation making the matter moot. Even if they’re short on time, an instructor may fly 60 to 100 hours per month so they would have the 1,500 hours in just a few months. Conversely, if you graduate under the restricted program but only have 500 hours total flight time at graduation, you’re still 500 hours short of the most restricted ATP. We will be happy to discuss this with you but only you can decide which way is best for you. Make an appointment to come talk to us. You’ll be happy you did.  Woof!