Airline Transport Pilot

Want to be a Captain for an airline? Fly an A380 or 787? See the world while flying planes and getting paid to do it? This is your rating.

The Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) rating is the top rung on the ladder, requiring you to demonstrate the greatest precision in your flying, the most detailed knowledge of your aircraft systems, and the most thorough understanding of all facets of flight. Flying for any scheduled passenger carrier will require the ATP, and once you achieve it, you’ll be among the best trained pilots out there.

If you dream of being an Airline Captain, this is your goal, and we help you achieve it, whether you’ve never flown before, or been in the cockpit for years. Reaching this level takes time, dedication and skill, but if you aim to fly for the big boys, we can help make the dream come true. Many of our graduates now fly for the airlines, and a number of our instructors have been there too. Don’t hesitate to call and let us get you started today!

Airline Transport Pilot Requirements

Course Prerequisites

Training Requirements

The airline transport pilot’s license requires the highest number of hours. Most of these hours can be achieved at a small time commercial job so not all 1,500 are paid for out of pocket.

  • 1,500 Hours of Total Flight Time

  • 100 Hours of Night Flight Time

    • Some night hours may be substituted with night landings instead

  • 250 Hours of Pilot in Command Time (PIC)

  • 500 Hours of Cross Country Time

  • 75 Hours of Simulated or Actual Instrument Flight

  • 50 Hours of Multi-Engine (if seeking a multi-engine ATP)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The first step to becoming an airline transport pilot is to get your private pilot certificate, instrument rating and then commercial pilot certificate. After receiving your certificates, you will need to build 1,500 hours of flight time at a low time pilot job. After you have logged 1,500 hours you are eligible for an airline transport pilot certificate.

  • No, many airlines have dropped their college degree requirements however it certainly will not hurt your application.

  • It depends on how often you choose to fly and what time-building job you get. It is possible to get to the airlines in 3 years with hard work.

  • There are many options out there, we will have an article on low-time pilot jobs coming soon