The Road to Your Airline Transport Pilot or ATP License
April 5, 2009 by Patch Adams
Filed under Sports
If you’re working toward becoming a professional commercial pilot, you’re obviously going to need to have your commercial pilots license. If you want to move on and pilot some of the larger aircraft from by the big airlines, you’re going to need to step up to the Airline Transport Pilot or ATP license.
If you’re not yet 23 years old, that’s the first hurdle you’re going to need to cross. Of course, getting starting at a young age is smart. By the time you have all the experience you need, this may not be a factor. As an ATP, you’ll need to have your First Class medical certificate and be able to read and write in English as well as speak it and understand when others are doing the same.
When it comes to the required experience, the minimum you’ll need before taking your ATP tests is 1500 hours. Part of those 1500 hours need to consist of more than 500 hours of cross-country flight. You’ll also need at least 75 hours of instrument experiences. Of course, some of this can be done in a simulator to help reduce your costs.
You don’t need to have your ATP to get your first job with a regional. Most regionals only require you have a commercial multi-engine license. But, even if they say you don’t need an ATP, you may want to have one in a competitive job market.
Most of the major airlines like USAir, Delta, Southwest, etc, will require an ATP and a lot more than just 1500 hours. However, if you’re willing to work for a regional, you have a great shot at getting onboard.
The other advantage with getting on with a regional is their willingness to help you get your ATP at some point in your career. They realize most pilots are going with a regional airline as a stepping stone to the big airlines, so, to help attract the best, they’ll offer incentives like this.
Don’t stress out over the ATP exams, they’re very similiar to all the others you’ve taken on your way to this point in your career. 80 questions on topics that relate to the Airline Transport Pilots world. You’ll have spent plenty of time studying for this and it shouldn’t present any problems for you.
The checkride, just like all of your other FAA exams will consist of an oral exam as well a practical exam, in a twin engine aircraft. The actual flying part will be very straight forward and should be trouble at this point in your career. The most notable difference will be how much tolerance you’re given. You’re expected to be exactly right on all of your maneuvers.
Obtaining your ATP license isn’t the end of the road when it comes to perfecting your pilot skills, it’s simply another check along the way. As you will know by the time you get there, each license and endorsement is simply another opportunity to learn more.
