Known as ATP or ATPL, the Airline Transport Pilot certificate is the highest grade certificate issued by the FAA.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an Airline Transport Pilot certificate, you must be English proficient and:

•Be at least 23 years of age

•Be of good moral character

You must already hold one of the following pilot certificates:

•If US certified: at least a commercial pilot with an instrument rating; OR

•ICAO country: ATP or commercial pilot with an instrument rating, without limitations, subject to background check.

The experience required for an airplane ATP certificate is outlined below.

•at least 1,500 hours of total time as a pilot

•500 hours of cross-country flight time

•100 hours of night

•75 hours of instrument flight time, or 50 flight + 25 simulated

Privileges

With a 1st or 2nd Class Medical, ATPs can exercise all of the privileges of a commercial pilot with an instrument rating.

In addition:

•FAA Airline regulations require ATP for captains of IFR passenger flights in turbine and multi-engine airplanes

•ATPs may instruct pilots in air transportation service in aircraft they are rated and simulators

•ATPs may endorse pilot logbooks for the training given

Limitations

Excluding briefings and debriefings, an ATP may not instruct in aircraft and simulators:

•For more than 8 hours in any 24-consecutive-hour period; OR

•For more than 36 hours in any 7-consecutive-day period.