Patch's Flight Schools Guide

If you’re planning on making a career out of your love for flying, you’re eventually going to want to go for your Airline Transport Pilot License or ATP. This is the next step beyond commercial and something you’re going to need to get into that Captain position with the airlines. Most flight schools will be able to help you get most or all of the way to your ATP.  There are also some ATP flight schools that have specialized programs available.

Before we look at the skills and experience required, you’ll want to make sure you can read, write and speak English.  You’ll also need to be able to obtain a 1st class medical certificate  and be at least 23 years old. Having all that in order, you’ll need to get the experience you need.

You need 1500 hours before you can take the ATP practical exam. In additional to having 1500 hours of total flying time, you must have 500 of them as cross country and 75 hours of instrument time.  This instrument time can be either simulated or actual aircraft time.

You don’t need to have your ATP to get your first job with a regional.  Most regionals only requre 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.

Taking the written exam is just like all of the other exams you’ve taken up to this point.  You’ll sit in front of a computer and answer 80 questions. You’ll obviously be doing a lot of studying as you prepare for your ATP, so this shouldn’t be a problem.

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 manuevers.

Continue to work, learn and gather experience.  Even at the ATP level, you’ll be continually reminded of the need for further education.  As a pilot, you’re always learning and experiencing new situations.  The ATP is simply another license to learn a whole new level.

Tagged as: airline, Airline Transport Pilot, ATP, career pilot, checkride, Commercial pilot, regional airlines, written exam