A Comprehensive Introductory Guide
Becoming an airline transport pilot is a challenging but rewarding goal that requires a lot of dedication, hard work, and investment. You need to obtain several ratings and certificates, pass multiple exams, and accumulate a minimum amount of flight hours before you can qualify for the highest level of pilot certificate: the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. This certificate allows you to act as a pilot-in-command of an aircraft that is authorized to carry passengers or cargo for compensation or hire, such as airlines and charter companies.
But how do you get there? What is the best order to complete your flight training? How can you optimize your training to save money and time, while ensuring safety and proficiency? In this blog post, we will answer these questions and provide you with some tips and resources to help you achieve your dream of becoming an airline transport pilot.
The Order of Flight Training
The order of flight training depends on your personal goals, preferences, and circumstances. However, there is a general sequence that most pilots follow to progress from zero to hero. Here is an overview of the typical steps involved in becoming an airline transport pilot:
Student Pilot Certificate
This is the first step to start your flight training. You need to obtain a student pilot certificate from the FAA before you can fly solo. To be eligible, you must be at least 16 years old, be able to read, speak, write, and understand English, and hold at least a third-class medical certificate (although any class will suffice). This is not required to get started but it is required to solo. You can apply for a student pilot certificate online through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) system.
Private Pilot Certificate
This is the most basic pilot certificate that allows you to fly an aircraft for personal or recreational purposes. To be eligible, you must be at least 17 years old, hold at least a third-class medical certificate, and pass a knowledge test and a practical test. You also need to complete a minimum of 40 hours of flight time, including at least 20 hours of flight instruction and 10 hours of solo flight. You can find more details about the requirements and the training syllabus in the FAA’s Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for Private Pilot applicants.
Instrument Rating
This is an add-on rating that allows you to fly an aircraft under instrument flight rules (IFR), which means you can fly in low visibility conditions, such as clouds, fog, or rain. To be eligible, you must hold a private pilot certificate, pass a knowledge test and a practical test, and have at least a current third-class medical certificate. You also need to complete a minimum of 40 hours of instrument flight time, including at least 15 hours of instrument flight instruction and 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command. You can find more details about the requirements and the training syllabus in the FAA’s ACS for Instrument Rating applicants.
Important note: While it is not required to have an Instrument rating in order to be a Commercial Pilot, it is highly recommended. Without IFR, you will be extremely limited to the kind of jobs you can accept; limited to within 50 nautical miles of the home base airport and unable to fly at night.
Commercial Pilot Certificate
This is the minimum requirement to work as a professional pilot and get paid for flying. To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old, pass a knowledge test and a practical test, and have at least a second-class medical certificate. You also need to complete a minimum of 250 hours of flight time, including at least 100 hours of pilot in command time and 50 hours of cross-country flight time. You can find more details about the requirements and the training syllabus in the FAA’s ACS for Commercial Pilot applicants.
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Certificate
This is an optional but highly recommended step to build your flight experience and prepare for the airline hiring process. Becoming a CFI allows you to teach other pilots and earn flight hours while getting paid. To be eligible, you must hold a commercial pilot certificate or ATP Certificate, pass a knowledge test and a practical test, and have at least a current third-class medical certificate. You also need to complete a flight instructor training course that covers the fundamentals of instruction, technical subject areas, and flight proficiency.
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate
This is the ultimate goal for most pilots who want to fly for an airline or a charter company. To be eligible, you must be at least 23 years old, hold a commercial pilot certificate and an instrument rating, pass a knowledge test and a practical test, and have at least a first-class medical certificate.
You also need to complete a minimum of 1,500 hours of flight time, including 500 hours of cross-country time, 100 hours of night time, 75 hours of instrument time, and 250 hours of time as pilot in command. You also need to complete an Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP), which is a mandatory course that covers advanced topics such as aerodynamics, weather, air carrier operations, and leadership. More details about the requirements and the training syllabus are available in the FAA’s ACS for Airline Transport Pilot applicants.
Variations in the Order of Flight Training
The order of flight training described above is not set in stone, and you may choose to do things differently depending on your situation. I’ll go into more about the order I am choosing and why in another post. For example, some pilots may decide to skip the CFI certificate and build their flight hours in other ways, such as flying for a banner towing company, a skydiving operation, or a pipeline patrol service. Some pilots may also choose to get additional ratings or certificates, such as a multiengine rating, a seaplane rating, or a flight instructor instrument (CFII) certificate, to enhance their skills and employability.
However, there are limitations and prerequisites that influence the order for most ratings and certifications. For instance, you cannot get an instrument rating before a private pilot certificate, a CFI certificate before a commercial pilot certificate, or an ATP certificate before a commercial pilot certificate. You will need to follow the logical progression of flight training and meet the minimum requirements for each level.
Tips to Optimize Your Flight Training
Flight training can be expensive and time-consuming, but there are some ways to optimize your training and make it more efficient and effective. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your flight training:
Plan your next lesson
Ask your instructor what maneuvers or topics to expect during your next lesson, and review them before arriving at the airport. You can use online resources, such as the FAA’s handbooks, manuals, and guides, to study the theory and procedures. You can also use videos, podcasts, and blogs, such as those from Pilot Institute, Boldmethod, and Pilotscafe, to get more explanations and examples. This will help you save time and money by reducing the need for ground instruction and repetition.
Study before every flight
One of the best ways to optimize your flight training is to simply study. The more you know, the better you will perform. You should study not only for the knowledge test, but also for the practical test and the real-world scenarios. You should also review your previous lessons and learn from your mistakes. You can use study materials and practice tests from reputable sources, such as Gleim Aviation, to prepare for the exams and check your progress. I will keep you all posted with details on the training materials I have selected along the way and why.
Watch examples online
There are thousands of videos on YouTube and other platforms that show different aspects of flight training, such as maneuvers, procedures, communications, and emergencies. You can search for the topic you want to learn and watch someone demonstrate it from the air. You can also find videos from experienced pilots and instructors who share their tips and advice on various subjects. Watching these videos can help you visualize and understand the concepts and principles of flying better.
Practice armchair flying
This is a technique that many pilots use to improve their skills and confidence. Armchair flying involves sitting in a chair and pretending that you are flying an airplane. You can use your imagination, or a simulator (blog post coming on this too!), to create realistic scenarios and practice your actions and reactions. You can also use a model or a poster of the cockpit to simulate using the instruments and controls. Armchair flying can help you reinforce your memory, enhance your situational awareness, and develop good habits.
Review your airplane’s cockpit
It’s not enough to know where things are located in the cockpit; you need to be able to use them quickly and efficiently. You should familiarize yourself with the layout, instruments, switches, and controls of the airplane you are flying, and practice using them in different situations. You can take a picture of the cockpit with your smartphone, or use a simulator or a poster, to review the cockpit and practice your flows and checklists.
Spend less time on the ground
The more time you spend on the ground, the less time you spend in the air. You should try to minimize the time you spend on the ramp, taxiing, or waiting for clearance, by being prepared and efficient. You should have your checklist, charts, and flight plan ready before you start the engine, and follow the standard procedures and best practices for ground operations. You should also avoid flying during peak hours or busy airports, if possible, to reduce the congestion and delays.
Fly often: The best way to optimize your flight training is to fly as often as you can. Flying frequently helps you retain your knowledge and skills, and avoid losing your proficiency and confidence. It also helps you progress faster and reduce the need for review and repetition. Ideally, you should fly at least two or three times a week, or more if possible.
Conclusion
Becoming an ATP is a challenging but rewarding goal that requires dedication and heard work. An ATP certificate is the ultimate achievement for a professional pilot and it can open many opportunities for your aviation career.
Getting an ATP certificate is NOT impossible and you can achieve it by following the basic steps and requirements outlined in this blog post. If you are interested in starting your path to pilot, we encourage you to focus on taking one step at a time and you will get there!
Did you find this post helpful? Share your thoughts and experiences below. And of course, let us know if we missed anything; we’re still coming up to speed ourselves. Safe travels and clear skies on your pilot journey!