Airline Transport Pilot License
Encyclopedia
The Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), or in the United States of America, an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP) is the highest level of aircraft pilot
rating -- or license. Those certified as Airline Transport Pilots are authorized to act as pilot-in-command of a scheduled air carrier's aircraft having a maximum gross weight over 12,500 pounds or having over 9 passenger seats. ATP may be used as a name suffix for example Brian A. Jones III, ATP.
Any pilot operating an aircraft for pay must start by obtaining a Commercial Pilot License
(CPL). Many larger aircraft also require pilot's to have a type rating certifications as well as an ATP rating.
Theoretical subjects included for ATPL applicants are:
To be eligible to take the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) ATPL Practical Test, commonly called the "checkride", the candidate must have at least 1500 hours of experience in aircraft and be at least 23 years old.
The term "frozen ATPL" has become popular outside the United States in the industry as slang for someone with a (1) Commercial Pilot's License with a Multi-Engine aircraft class rating, (2) a Multi-Engine Instrument rating, and (3) a certificate of Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC). After 1500 flight hours have been completed, an ATPL candidate can take the FAA's ATPL written skills test.
For more information, see the appropriate sections in:
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
rating -- or license. Those certified as Airline Transport Pilots are authorized to act as pilot-in-command of a scheduled air carrier's aircraft having a maximum gross weight over 12,500 pounds or having over 9 passenger seats. ATP may be used as a name suffix for example Brian A. Jones III, ATP.
Any pilot operating an aircraft for pay must start by obtaining a Commercial Pilot License
Commercial Pilot Licence
A Commercial Pilot License or, in the United States, a Commercial Pilot Certificate, is a qualification that permits the holder to act as the Pilot In Command of a single pilot aircraft, or as co-pilot of a multi-pilot aircraft and be paid for his/her work.The basic requirements to obtain the...
(CPL). Many larger aircraft also require pilot's to have a type rating certifications as well as an ATP rating.
Theoretical subjects included for ATPL applicants are:
- Air law
- Aircraft General Knowledge
- Flight Planning and Monitoring
- Human Performance and Limitations
- MeteorologyMeteorologyMeteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries...
- Operational Procedures
- Principles of Flight
- Communications (IFR & VFR)
- Performance
- General Navigation
- Radio Navigation
- Instrumentation
- Weight and Balance
To be eligible to take the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) ATPL Practical Test, commonly called the "checkride", the candidate must have at least 1500 hours of experience in aircraft and be at least 23 years old.
The term "frozen ATPL" has become popular outside the United States in the industry as slang for someone with a (1) Commercial Pilot's License with a Multi-Engine aircraft class rating, (2) a Multi-Engine Instrument rating, and (3) a certificate of Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC). After 1500 flight hours have been completed, an ATPL candidate can take the FAA's ATPL written skills test.
For more information, see the appropriate sections in:
- Private Pilot LicensePrivate Pilot LicenseA Private Pilot License or, in the United States of America, a Private Pilot Certificate, is a license that permits the holder to act as the pilot of an aircraft privately . The requirements to obtain the license are determined by the International Civil Aviation Authority , but the actual...
- Pilot certification in the United States#Airline transport pilot
- Airline Transport Pilot License in Canada
- Pilot licensing in the United KingdomPilot licensing in the United KingdomPilot licensing in the United Kingdom is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority under the auspices of the Joint Aviation Authorities and European Aviation Safety Agency. Each member nation in the EU has responsibility for regulating their own pilot licensing...