The path to becoming a professional pilot has evolved a lot in the past eight years, following the implementation of new regulations and testing guidance governing how pilots of transport-category aircraft obtain certification. While it’s possible to fly professionally with a certificate for commercial single-engine operations, most pilots intending to fly for the airlines, commuter ops, or a corporate flight department will go one step further.
ATP Requirements for Your Certificate
Key Takeaways:
- The path to becoming a professional airline pilot was significantly reformed after the 2009 Colgan Air crash, leading to the Airline Safety and FAA Extension Act of 2010.
- New regulations increased minimum flight hour requirements for first officers (1,000-1,500 hours) and mandated that they hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate.
- A major change implemented in 2014 was the costly Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP), a prerequisite for the multi-engine ATP written exam, involving extensive ground and full-motion simulator training.
- While the ATP-CTP adds a significant barrier for multi-engine ATP aspirants, a single-engine ATP certificate can still be obtained without this course, offering a lower-cost path for general aviation pilots.
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