The Airline Transport Pilot certificate
The ATP certificate is the final and ultimate step to be a captain on an airliner carrying passenger at 35000' FT. This is the highest credential a pilot will achieve in his career. After a few years of hard work, perhaps including instructing, flying freight in the middle of the night, sitting right seat as a first officer at a regional, or even all of the above, your number has been called. But per federal regulations, in order to carry passengers, a higher than commercial certificate is required. There are two ways to get an ATP. The first one is on your own. Unlike for a private or commercial ceritifcate, the pilot does not need to follow a training course. The candidate would need to pass the appropriate written test, rent a multi-engines airplane, make an appointment with an FAA examiner and do an oral and practical check. The second one is specifically for pilots who are already working for an airline. While doing the transition course from first officer to captain, the airline will integrate the requirements for the Pilot In Command ( PIC ) checkride with the ATP requirements. It is of course a much cheaper way to get the certificate but it is also known to be slightly harder to successfuly pass. This is because the pilot has to learn a new airplane, or at least learn to fly it from the left seat, as a captain, and be very familiar with the airplane's systems but now will require that person to study or review all the required material that he/she could be asked about during the ride. It might seem pretty straight forward since a prepared pilot has been working toward this goal for years but it still feels like drinking from a fire hose.
For complete eligibility and training requirements, please read the regulations specific to people seeking a Ground Instructor Certificate, by clicking here
For complete eligibility and training requirements, please read the regulations specific to people seeking a Ground Instructor Certificate, by clicking here