the airline transport pilot license
Basic Requirements
Here are just a
few of the basics requirements for the ATP License. We’ll discuss what’s
entailed in each of these requirements later in this section.
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You must be able
to read, speak, write, and understand the English Language
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You must be able
to obtain a 1st class medical certificate
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You must be 23
years of age
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You must hold at
least a commercial pilot license with instrument rating
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You must
have 1500 hours total flying time
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You must have
500 cross country flight time
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You must have 75
hour of actual or simulated instrument flight time
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You must pass
the FAA ATP written exam
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You must pass
the ATP Oral and Practical Exam
Training
The training for
you ATP will be nothing new in terms of manoeuvres or procedures. The check ride
will consist of manoeuvres and procedures you have already seen on you
instrument, commercial and multi-engine check rides. The only difference is the
standards you are expected to fly to. The tolerances are much tighter because at
this point you are a professional pilot with a considerable amount of flight
time and you are expect to be able to fly like it.
Training
primarily focuses on polishing up your instrument flying skills it the
multi-engine aircraft you will use for the check ride. If you do the training on
your own it can be as little as 5-7 hours of prep. If you work for a large 135
outfit or 121 air-carrier its usually part of a FAA approved upgrade or
transition training program.
Testing
The test for the
ATP as mentioned earlier is fairly straightforward. It’s a demonstration of your
multi-engine and instrument skills held to a higher standard. Don’t sweat it
though by the time you’ve reach this milestone it’s the flying that’s easy, it’s
more about the aeronautical knowledge, decision making, and responsibility of
the ATP license that can be daunting.
The FAA Written
The written test
for the ATP like all other licenses and ratings is an 80 question computerized
test. The questions consist primarily of part 135 and 121 regulations, hazardous
materials, high altitude and high-speed aerodynamics, and transport category
operating and Performance Data.
The FAA Oral Exam
Again like the
written the test the oral examination is taken to a highest level in your
aviation career. With the examiner focusing on the regulations appropriate to
your type operation, ie 121 or 135. Also included is an in-depth discussion of
the test aircrafts various systems. This especially holds true if a company
check airman is administering your check ride.
The FAA Practical Exam
Hopefully by the
time you pass the written and oral for the ATP the flight should be a breeze.
The flight depending on your operation will be conducted in a multi-engine
aircraft or flight simulator. The flight test is comprised mostly instrument
procedures both multi and single engine. Other abnormal procedures may also be
thrown in the mix with the simulator allowing fore more flexibility than a check
ride in the aircraft. Like every other check ride aside from your instrument you
will also have to demonstrate manoeuvres such as stalls and steep turns.
Costs
The costs for
the ATP license are quite variable. If you choose to get the ATP on your own you
have to budget for about 5-10 hours of flight time in some sort of multi engine
aircraft. Some FBO’s and flight school offer a package deal for obtaining your
ATP, it usually includes a written test prep and the required flight time to get
you up to speed in their aircraft. If you’re lucky to work for a 135 or 121
outfit then the cost to you is nothing financially, the only investment is the
time and energy in preparing for your check ride. For those of you looking to do
it on your own check out our members only area for links to cheap flight time.
Our flight time finder will be coming soon.
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