How to get an ATP license?
Step-by-step guide
ATP MultiEngine airplane license
Intro
This section is dedicated to FAA Commercial pilots who wants to obtain ATP MultiEngine airplane license. If you interested in Single Engine Airplane ATP or Rotorcraft Helicopter ATP – you can contact our office for more details.
If you are foreign commercial or airline pilot – you better visit the page “For foreign pilots” for more information.
Minimum Requirements for enrollment
To be eligible for an airline transport pilot certificate, a person must:
- be at least 23 years of age or 21 years (exception according part 61.160).
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
- Be of good moral character;
- Meet at least one of the following requirements:
- (1) Holds a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating issued under this part;
- (2) Meet the military experience requirements under §61.73 of this part to qualify for a commercial pilot certificate, and an instrument rating if the person is a rated military pilot or former rated military pilot of an Armed Force of the United States; or
- (3) Holds either a foreign airline transport pilot license with instrument privileges, or a foreign commercial pilot license with an instrument rating, that—
- (i) Was issued by a contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation; and
- (ii) Contains no geographical limitations.
- After July 31, 2014, for an airline transport pilot certificate with an airplane category multiengine class rating or an airline transport pilot certificate obtained concurrently with an airplane type rating, receive a graduation certificate from an authorized training provider certifying completion of the airline transport pilot certification training program specified in §61.156 before applying for the knowledge test required by paragraph (g) of this section.
Aeronautical experience
A person who is applying for an airline transport pilot certificate with an airplane category and class rating must have at least 1,500 hours of total time as a pilot that includes at least:
- 500 hours of cross-country flight time
- 100 hours of night flight time
- 50 hours of flight time in the class of airplane for the rating sought.
- 75 hours of instrument flight time, in actual or simulated instrument conditions, subject to the following:
- 250 hours of flight time in an airplane as a pilot in command, or when serving as a required second in command flightcrew member performing the duties of pilot in command while under the supervision of a pilot in command, or any combination thereof, which includes at least—
- 100 hours of cross-country flight time
- 25 hours of night flight time
You can find more details about minimum aeronautical experience in part 61.159.
Cost estimation:
All prices here are just approximate expenses. Your personal situation can be different from the common cases (age, experience, pause in an aviation career, personal abilities, etc). Some people need individual approaches, so this price is not a public offer but just an example of how much standard person in standard conditions can spend on the process of getting an ATP license.
- NON-type ATP: $3,999 (ATP-CTP) + $175 Written test ATP ME + $4000 (8 hours of ME training on BE76) + $2,000 (checkride and aircraft rental) = $10,174
- ATP with Type-rating A320 (initial): $3,999 (ATP-CTP) + $175 Written test ATP ME + $15,000 (A320 Initial + checkride) = $19,174
- ATP with Type-rating A320 (reduced, if you have A320 in ICAO license): $3,999 (ATP-CTP) + $175 Written test ATP ME + $8,500 (A320 Reduced + checkride) = $12,674
Enrollment application
You can download enrollment application for your personal ATP training with ATP.Academy
Steps to obtain FAA ATP License for U.S. citizens based on FAA CPL or Military experience
1
Check eligibility requirements
Check eligibility requirements according part 61.153 and aeronautical experience according part 61.159.
2
ATP ME written test preparation
Make sure you are ready for ATP written test. You can find different applications available on the market and very helpful.
3
ATP-CTP program
The ATP-CTP course is a mandatory pre-requisite in order to take the ATP written exam. ATP-CTP course include 30 hours of ground school and 10 hours of sim training.
4
Take written test
ATP ME written test includes 125 questions and you have 4 hours for pass this test. The minimum score is 70%.
5
Take your ATP training
You can choose from 2 options: get your ATP non-type (using light twin airplane) or ATP with type rating (A320, B737 or any other type).
6
Pass your ATP checkride
You have a couple of option – ATP ME checkride on light twin airplane (BE76 or Tecnam P2006T) or ATP with type rating.
7
Choose Your Way:
The cheapest way to get your ATP license - training and checkride in light-twin airplane. We can offer Beechcraft Duchess (BE76) or Tecnam P2006T (with Garmin G950) for your training.
1
MultiEngine ATP training
Training itself include 7-10 flight hours of training, 3-5 hours of ground school.
2
ATP Checkride with Examiner
When you ready for checkride we will help you with checkride appointment and schedule your checkride. More details about ATP ME checkride on webpage.
FAA regulations allows you to take your ATP checkride simultaneously with type rating check.
1
Airbus 320 type + ATP training
We can offer you ATP training combined with Airbus Type Rating at no additional cost. You will be train for type rating but your checkride will include both - ATP and Type Rating check.
2
ATP + type rating checkride on FFS
Your checkride will be the same like standard type rating checkride but it will be combined check. As a result you will have ATP license with type rating.
If you don't have enough time or money you can do step-by-step. Start from ATP ME on light-twin airplane and later on add type rating to your ATP license!
1
ATP ME training
Start your training on BE76 or Tecnam P2006T, pass your checkride and get your ATP ME license.
2
ATP ME checkride
When you ready for checkride we will help you with checkride appointment and schedule your checkride. More details about ATP ME checkride on webpage.
3
A320 type
Then join our Initial type rating program and add A320 type rating to your ATP license.
4
A320 type rating checkride
Your checkride will be in full flight simulator and only as add-on to your ATP license.
Helpful Information
F.A.Q.
1. How much to get FAA ATP based on my ICAO ATP?
The total price is combined from the ATP-CTP course cost + cost of your ATP course and checkride. As you can see from this page you have a choice between "non-type ATP" and "ATP + type rating". The approximate price depending on your personal case will be:
- NON-type ATP: $3,999 (ATP-CTP) + $175 (written test) + $4,000 (8 hours of ME training on BE76) + $1,000 (checkride and aircraft rental) = $9,174
- ATP with Type-rating A320 (initial): $3,999 (ATP-CTP) + $175 (written test) + $15,000 (A320 Initial + checkride) = $19,174
- ATP with Type-rating A320 (reduced, if you have A320 in ICAO license): $3,999 (ATP-CTP) + $175 (written test) + $8,500 (A320 Reduced + checkride) = $12,674
2. How to get FAA ATP if I already have ICAO ATP?
You have 2 options here:
- you can get your FAA ATP license without type rating based on ICAO ATP and this way pretty clear, read this "Step-by-step instruction for foreign ATP pilots".
- if you have a type rating and wish to get FAA ATP with type rating - the procedure is completely the same but you need to take the "Reduced Type Rating Program" for your type and pass the checkride in simulator. Follow our "Step-by-step instruction for foreign ATP pilots".
3. Why do I need to take training for type rating if I already have type rating in my ICAO license?
This is a very common question. But the truth is - you really need type rating to get your FAA license with type even if you are Captain with XXXX thousand hours on this type. The reason for that - your FAA license is independent license of the United States of America and you need to comply with FAA regulations. Not your local regulations. It means that you need to take some training on the same type before checkride. Most of the schools (and ATP.Academy also) can offer you Reduced Program, which means you don't need to go over again as Initial training. You just need 4-8 hours of SIM training and some ground school before your checkride. Also, be aware that your FAA checkride will be absolutely the same and full as normal checkride for initial type rating even if you have XXX thousand hours on type.
4. What is the Letter of Verification?
If you have a foreign (non-FAA) license, and you are meet all part 61 requirements to get FAA ATP based on the foreign license, you need to prove that your license is valid, not expired, not revoked, etc. The official way how to do that - request a Letter of Verification from FAA authority. FAA will request this confirmation from your local CAA authority. The process itself can take up to 90 days and you need a Letter of Verification before your ATP checkride or ATP + type rating checkride.
5. I have SIC type in my country, what license I will have with FAA?
This is a complicated question. First of all, start checking CFR 14 Part 61.153 and part 61.159. If you meet all requirements from this part, then you can go to Upgrade Type Rating and get your PIC Type.
