The purpose of the Airline Transport Pilot License ATP(A) course is to train airplane pilots to the level of proficiency necessary to fly passengers within commercial airline flight standards.
Significant aeronautical experience is necessary for an ATP certificate — a minimum of 1,500 hours of total flight time under 14 CFR 61.159, including at least 500 hours of cross-country flight, 100 hours of night flight, 75 hours of instrument time, and 250 hours of pilot-in-command time (reduced-hour pathways as low as 1,000–1,250 hours may be available to military-trained pilots and graduates of an FAA-approved aviation degree program). There is no flight-training hour minimum built into the ATP course itself, and no flight instructor endorsement is required for an ATP check ride. Nevertheless, no pilot should go into a check ride without being completely prepared.
At Anthelion, any of our Instrument Instructors can help you knock the rust off your instrument skills and help you prepare for the Airline Transport Pilot License ATP(A) check ride.
The purpose of the Airline Transport Pilot License ATP(A) course is to train airplane pilots to the level of proficiency necessary to fly passengers within commercial airline flight standards.
Significant aeronautical experience is necessary for an ATP certificate — a minimum of 1,500 hours of total flight time under 14 CFR 61.159, including at least 500 hours of cross-country flight, 100 hours of night flight, 75 hours of instrument time, and 250 hours of pilot-in-command time (reduced-hour pathways as low as 1,000–1,250 hours may be available to military-trained pilots and graduates of an FAA-approved aviation degree program). There is no flight-training hour minimum built into the ATP course itself, and no flight instructor endorsement is required for an ATP check ride. Nevertheless, no pilot should go into a check ride without being completely prepared.
At Anthelion, any of our Instrument Instructors can help you knock the rust off your instrument skills and help you prepare for the Airline Transport Pilot License ATP(A) check ride.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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You must be at least 23, with 1,500 hours of total pilot time. Those hours must include 500 cross-country, 100 night, 75 instrument, and 250 as pilot in command. You also need to hold a Commercial certificate with an Instrument Rating. Instructing is how most of our pilots build those hours, often with a large share of it night and instrument time.
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The FAA’s Restricted ATP allows 750 hours for military pilots, and 1,000 or 1,250 hours for graduates of qualifying aviation degree programs. The Restricted ATP applies only to a multi-engine ATP. So for the single-engine ATP flown in our Cessna 172, the full 1,500 hours applies. If you’re working toward an airline job, ask us which route suits your background.
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This program prepares you for the ATP Airplane Single-Engine certificate in our 172: knowledge test preparation, instrument proficiency work, and checkride preparation. We provide the aircraft and ground instruction for this program. A multi-engine ATP, the one most airlines require, also needs the ATP Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP), which we do not provide directly — we can refer you to a partner CTP provider (see referral list).
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We start with an assessment flight to see where your skills are. Then we build a short plan of AATD sessions and flights focused on the tasks examiners test most. That includes approaches, holds, and handling emergencies in instrument conditions. Mock orals cover regulations, weather, and aircraft systems at ATP depth. We finish with a full mock checkride, run like the real thing.
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It’s common and it can be fixed, but take it seriously. The ATP is flown to tighter limits than your Instrument Rating checkride. Many pilots at 1,500 hours have spent most of their recent time teaching VFR maneuvers. Our CFIIs will put you back in the AATD simulator on approaches, holds, and partial-panel work until you’re flying precisely again. Before the checkride you’ll also need to be IFR current, or complete an Instrument Proficiency Check.
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You’ll need a Commercial Pilot certificate with Airplane Single-Engine and Instrument ratings, and a logbook showing you meet the ATP experience minimums. You’ll also need to pass the FAA ATP knowledge test before the checkride. Send us a summary of your logbook totals through our contact page, and we’ll confirm you’re eligible before you book.
TESTIMONIAL
“I heard about Anthelion Helicopters from a Colleague of mine who works at a different Base. I did a review of the School from their Website and found that they had a procedures Trainer(Simulator) which came in handy and saved some cost when we arrived at Long Beach. Both flying and non-flying staff were professional and friendly. Most Importantly, the CEO, Alex Chaunt was personally interested in our progress.
I shall remain indebted to Anthelion Helicopters for ensuring that I passed my ATPL Check-ride within the limited time I had allotted for the Course and Check-ride.
Thanks, Alex, Nina, Lauren, Brandin, Sheamus, Travis, Tom, and Diana. Keep up the good work!”
Omasan Inone
AW139 Offshore Pilot
Nigeria