VOLUME 5 airman certification
chapter 3 AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT (ATP) CERTIFICATION UNDER TITLE 14 CFR PARTS 121, 135, OR 91 SUBPART K
Section 1 Application Phase—ATP Applicants Engaged in Operations Under 14 CFR Parts 121, 135, or 91 Subpart K—Airplanes and Helicopters
5-801 GENERAL. This section describes the eligibility requirements to issue the following certificates under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 121, 135, and 91 subpart K (part 91K):
A. Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)—Airplane.
B. ATP Restricted Privileges—Airplane.
C. ATP—Rotorcraft.
5-802 PRIVILEGES: ATP—AIRPLANE. The following privileges are granted to Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate holders with an airplane category 14 CFR part and multiengine class rating (61, §§ 61.159 and 61.160):
A. ATP—Airplane. The holder of an ATP Certificate with a multiengine class rating may serve in those operations that require an ATP Certificate by regulation, which are:
· Part 91K multiengine turbine-powered, fixed-wing airplane operations (part 91, § 91.1053);
· Part 121 operations (part 121, § 121.436); and
· Part 135 commuter operations using multiengine airplanes with 9 or fewer passenger seats (scheduled 135) and on-demand operations using multiengine airplanes with 10 or more passenger seats or turbojets (part 135, § 135.243).
B. ATP Restricted Privileges—Airplane. A holder of a restricted privileges ATP Certificate may serve as a second in command (SIC) in part 121 operations with the exception of a SIC of a flag or supplemental operation in part 121 requiring three or more pilots. The restricted privileges ATP Certificate is only issued for the airplane category with a multiengine class rating. The holder of a restricted privileges ATP Certificate may not serve as a pilot in command (PIC) in any operation where an ATP Certificate is required by regulation or serve a SIC in flag or supplemental operations that require three or more pilots (§ 61.167(b)).
5-803 GENERAL ELIGIBILITY: ATP CERTIFICATE—AIRPLANE AND ROTORCRAFT. An applicant for an ATP Certificate must meet all applicable requirements of part 61 subpart G.
A. Applicant Age Requirement (§ 61.153(a)(1) and (2)).
1) An applicant for an ATP Certificate must be at least 23 years of age.
2) An applicant for a restricted privileges ATP Certificate with an airplane category and multiengine class rating must be at least 21 years of age.
B. English Language Requirement (§ 61.153(b)).
1) An applicant must be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. Early in the process of issuing an ATP Certificate, the inspector must determine whether the applicant can meet this requirement. Advisory Circular (AC) 60-28, English Language Skill Standards Required by 14 CFR Parts 61, 63, and 65, explains how to determine English language abilities required for pilot certification. If the applicant cannot read, speak, write, or understand the English language, then the inspector must not issue the ATP pilot certificate.
2) While there are no practical test standards (PTS) established to ascertain the applicant’s English language ability, the following examples may be used as guidelines to evaluate and test an applicant’s proficiency to determine whether the applicant can read, speak, write, and understand the English language:
a) An inspector may ask the applicant to listen to a tape recording of an air traffic control (ATC) clearance or instructions, and then ask the applicant to speak and explain the clearance or instructions back to the inspector in the English language.
b) An applicant may be asked to write down in English the meaning of an ATC clearance, instructions, or a weather report, then may be asked to speak and explain the clearance, instructions, or weather report back to the inspector in the English language.
3) The intent is not to require the applicant to read, speak, write, and understand the English language at college-level standards. A common sense approach should be used in evaluating an applicant for this requirement (refer to § 61.153(b)).
C. Good Moral Character Requirement. An applicant must be of good moral character. The inspector must ask an applicant if the applicant has been convicted of a felony. If the applicant’s answer is affirmative, the inspector should make further inquiry about the nature and disposition of the conviction. If an inspector has reason to believe an applicant does not qualify for an ATP because of questionable moral character, the inspector must not conduct the practical test. Instead, the inspector will refer the matter to the immediate supervisor for resolution. The supervisor may need to consult with regional counsel for a determination concerning whether the applicant meets the moral character eligibility requirement.
D. Acceptable Pilot Qualifications. An applicant must submit documentary evidence to show at least one of the following acceptable pilot qualifications:
1) A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating;
2) Official U.S. military records as prescribed in § 61.73; or
3) A foreign commercial pilot license (CPL) with an instrument rating or a foreign ATP Certificate with instrument privileges issued by an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) country and a valid verification letter obtained from the Airman Certification Branch (AFS-760).
E. ATP Certification Training Program (CTP) (§§ 61.153(e) and 61.156).
1) The ATP CTP is required for applicants seeking an ATP Certificate with an airplane category and a multiengine class rating, or an ATP Certificate issued concurrently with an airplane type rating, and is intended to prepare the applicant to operate safely in those operations which require an ATP Certificate by rule. The ATP CTP is a prerequisite for the FAA’s highest certificate and includes training in:
· Aerodynamics;
· Automation;
· Adverse weather conditions;
· Air carrier operations;
· Transport airplane performance;
· Professionalism; and
· Leadership and development;
2) After July 31, 2014, all persons for whom the ATP CTP is required will be required to present a graduation certificate certifying the completion of the ATP CTP when applying for the ATP knowledge test.
F. Knowledge Test (§§ 61.35 and 61.39).
1) Minimum Age. When applying for the knowledge test, per § 61.35(a)(2)(iii), the applicant must provide identification showing his or her date of birth as evidence that the applicant meets or will meet the age requirements for the certificate sought before the expiration date of the airman knowledge test report. Therefore, the minimum ages apply for the ATP knowledge test:
a) Except as provided for in subparagraph 5-803B, for issuance of any ATP Certificate, the applicant for the knowledge test must be 21 years of age.
b) After July 31, 2014, an applicant seeking an ATP Certificate with an airplane category multiengine class rating may apply for the ATP knowledge test at 18 years of age.
2) Validity.
a) For applicants seeking an ATP Certificate with an airplane category and a multiengine rating:
1. A knowledge test report certified on or before July 31, 2014, is valid for 24 calendar-months.
2. A knowledge test report certified after July 31, 2014, is valid for 60 calendar-months.
b) For applicants seeking an ATP Certificate with a rotorcraft category or an airplane category with single-engine class rating, a knowledge test report is valid for 24 calendar-months.
c) See paragraph 5-807 for information regarding extending the validity of knowledge test results in accordance with § 61.39.
3) ATP CTP Graduation Certificate. After July 31, 2014, an ATP CTP graduation certificate is required to apply for the ATP knowledge test when applying for an ATP Certificate with an airplane category and multiengine class rating.
G. Medical Certificates. At the time of application for an ATP practical test, the applicant must hold at least a current third-class medical certificate.
5-804 AERONAUTICAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ATP CERTIFICATE WITH AN AIRPLANE CATEGORY AND MULTIENGINE CLASS RATING.
A. ATP Certificate. An applicant for an ATP Certificate with an airplane category and a multiengine class rating must meet the following minimum qualifications:
· Eligibility requirements listed in § 61.153;
· Aeronautical knowledge requirements listed in § 61.155; and
· Aeronautical experience requirements listed in § 61.159.
B. Restricted Privileges ATP Certificate. All applicants for a restricted privileges ATP Certificate must meet the following requirements:
· Eligibility requirements listed in § 61.153;
· Aeronautical knowledge requirements listed in § 61.155; and
· Aeronautical experience requirements listed in § 61.160.
NOTE: The minimum cross-country flight time is 200 hours.
1) Military-Trained. A U.S. military pilot or former U.S. military pilot, with a minimum of 750 hours of total time as a pilot, and who has not been removed from flying status for lack of proficiency or because of a disciplinary action involving aircraft operations, may apply for an ATP Certificate with an airplane category multiengine class rating or an ATP Certificate concurrently with an airplane type rating if the pilot presents:
a) An official Form DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, indicating that the person was honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces or an official U.S. Armed Forces record that shows the pilot is currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces; and
b) An official U.S. Armed Forces record that shows the person graduated from a U.S. Armed Forces undergraduate pilot training school and received a rating qualification as a military pilot.
2) Graduates of a Bachelor’s Degree Program with an Aviation Major. In accordance with § 61.160(b) or (d), a graduate with a bachelor’s degree in an aviation major received from an institution of higher education, as defined in § 61.1, that has been issued a letter of authorization (LOA) by the Administrator under § 61.169, is eligible to apply for a restricted privileges ATP Certificate with an airplane category multiengine class rating or an ATP Certificate concurrently with an airplane type rating with the following minimum qualifications:
a) The applicant must present at the time of application an official transcript or other authorized document approved by the Administrator from the institution of higher education certifying all of the requirements have been met as described in § 61.160. The specific certifying statement from an institution of higher education which must be used will be listed in the LOA issued.
NOTE: The following is an example of a statement that may be used: “The [insert institution’s name] certifies that the recipient of this degree has successfully completed all of the aviation coursework requirements of § 61.160[(b) or (d)] and therefore meets the academic eligibility requirements of § 61.160[(b) or (d)].”
b) If the applicant is qualifying under § 61.160(b), the minimum total time as a pilot is 1,000 hours. If the applicant is qualifying under § 61.160(d), the minimum total time as a pilot is 1,250 hours.
3) Graduates of an Associate’s Degree Program with an Aviation Major. In accordance with § 61.160(c), a graduate with an associate’s degree in an aviation major received from an institution of higher education, as defined in § 61.1, that has been issued an LOA by the Administrator under § 61.169, is eligible to apply for a restricted privileges ATP Certificate with an airplane category multiengine class rating or an ATP Certificate concurrently with an airplane type rating, with the following minimum qualifications:
a) The applicant must present at the time of application an official transcript or other authorized document approved by the Administrator from the institution of higher education certifying all of the requirements have been met as described in § 61.160. The specific certifying statement from an institution of higher education which must be used will be listed in the LOA issued.
NOTE: The following is an example of a statement that may be used: “The [insert institution’s name] certifies that the recipient of this degree has successfully completed all of the aviation coursework requirements of § 61.160(c) and therefore meets the academic eligibility requirements of § 61.160 (c).”
b) If the applicant is qualifying under § 61.160(c), the minimum total time as a pilot is 1,250 hours.
4) Pilots with 1,500 Hours Total Time. In accordance with § 61.160(f), a person who has 1,500 hours total time as a pilot is eligible to apply for a restricted privileges ATP Certificate with an airplane category multiengine class rating or an ATP Certificate concurrently with an airplane type rating with the following minimum qualifications:
a) Eligibility requirements listed in § 61.153;
b) Aeronautical knowledge requirements listed in § 61.155; and
c) Aeronautical experience requirements in § 61.160.
5) Limitations. The holder of a restricted privileges ATP Certificate may not serve as a PIC in any operation where an ATP Certificate is required by regulation or serve a SIC in flag or supplemental operations that require three or more pilots (§ 61.167(b)).
a) The following limitation must be placed on the certificate: “RESTRICTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH 14 CFR § 61.167.”
b) With the exception of a restricted privileges ATP Certificate issued in accordance with § 61.160(f), the following limitation must be placed on the certificate: “HOLDER DOES NOT MEET THE PILOT IN COMMAND AERONAUTICAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS OF ICAO.”
6) Removal of Limitations from an ATP Certificate. An inspector or authorized designee with ATP Certificate authority may remove the limitations described previously that are placed on the ATP Certificate for an airplane category multiengine class rating. Except as described for certain designees, the applicant only needs to present satisfactory evidence that he or she has met the age requirement in § 61.153(a)(1) and the aeronautical experience requirements in § 61.159, as applicable (refer to § 61.160(g) and (h)). The applicant must complete Section III—Record of Pilot Time, on FAA Form 8710-1, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application Supplemental Information and Instructions, to be issued an unrestricted ATP Certificate.
a) Designee Functions. Available designee functions include the following:
1. Removal of the limitation, “HOLDER DOES NOT MEET THE PILOT IN COMMAND AERONAUTICAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS OF ICAO,” as required by § 61.159(d) or § 61.160(h).
2. Removal of the limitation, “RESTRICTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH 14 CFR § 61.167,” as required by § 61.160(g).
Note: For removal of the limitation required by § 61.64(f)(2), see Volume 5, Chapter 1, Section 3.
b) Designee Requirements. The qualification and training requirements for each type of designee authorized to remove these limitations vary.
1. In order to remove a restriction from an ATP Certificate, the designee must be authorized to issue an ATP Certificate and must have received training on evaluating applicants to determine eligibility for removal of an ATP limitation. For example, for a designee to be eligible to remove a limitation from an ATP Certificate in the airplane category with a multiengine land rating, the designee must be authorized to issue an ATP Certificate in the airplane category with a multiengine land rating and have received training on determining eligibility and the process for removal of the limitation.
2. A Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) authorized to issue an ATP Certificate in the airplane category with a multiengine class rating may remove the limitations by verifying the pilot meets the minimum age and aeronautical experience requirements as described following the process in subparagraph 5-804B5).
3. A Training Center Evaluator (TCE) may only remove limitations as authorized in curricula approved by the Training Center Program Manager (TCPM) in accordance with part 142. A TCE is not authorized to remove an ATP limitation based solely on satisfactory presentation of evidence from the airman. See Volume 13, Chapter 1, Section 1 for additional information.
4. An aircrew program designee (APD) may only remove limitations as authorized in the part 121 or part 135 training program, as approved by the principal operations inspector (POI). An APD is not authorized to remove an ATP limitation based solely on satisfactory presentation of evidence from the airman. See Volume 13, Chapter 1, Section 1 for additional information.
5-805 AERONAUTICAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR ROTORCRAFT CATEGORY AND HELICOPTER RATING. The holder of an ATP Certificate with a helicopter class rating may serve in those operations that require an ATP Certificate by regulation as defined in § 135.243. An applicant for an ATP Certificate with rotorcraft category and helicopter rating must meet the following minimum qualifications:
· Eligibility requirements listed in § 61.153;
· Aeronautical knowledge requirements listed in § 61.155; and
· Aeronautical experience requirements in § 61.161.
5-806 VALIDATION OF AERONAUTICAL EXPERIENCE.
A. Pilot Logbooks/Records. The applicant must present pilot logbooks and/or reliable records that show that the applicant meets at least the appropriate aeronautical experience to apply for the ATP Certificate. Official military flight time records may be used if the records meet the criteria of § 61.73(h) and the inspector can determine the applicant’s flight time meets or exceeds the minimum aeronautical experience requirements of part 61 subpart G. However, the aeronautical experience shown in official military records may not always align with the required aeronautical experience requirements in part 61. In such circumstances, an inspector who has past military flight experience as a military pilot may validate the flight records.
B. Second-in-Command (SIC) Time. The logging of SIC flight time is prescribed in § 61.51(f). An applicant for an ATP Certificate with an airplane category and multiengine land class rating may use SIC time accrued in an airplane towards the aeronautical experience requirements as prescribed in § 61.159(c). The inspector must ensure that the SIC time accrued in an airplane meets the requirements in § 61.159(c).
C. Approved Pilot School Graduate. An applicant who applies for the ATP Certificate on the basis of graduation from an approved 14 CFR part 141 pilot school must present an appropriate graduation certificate issued within the preceding 60 calendar-days.
5-807 EXTENDING VALIDITY PERIODS OF ATP KNOWLEDGE TEST RESULTS—REFER TO § 61.39. Except under the following conditions for extending the validity of an ATP knowledge test, the FAA does not accept expired knowledge test reports.
A. ATP Certificate with an Airplane Category and a Multiengine Class Rating. The validity of knowledge test results for the ATP Certificate with airplane category multiengine class rating can only be extended for tests satisfactorily passed after July 31, 2014, for the following:
1) Pilots Employed by a Part 121 Air Carrier. Pilots employed by a part 121 air carrier must meet the following requirements in order to extend the validity date of their ATP knowledge test:
a) The pilot must be employed as a pilot flightcrew member by a certificate holder under part 121 at the time of the ATP practical test.
b) The pilot must have satisfactorily accomplished the operator’s approved initial aircraft qualification training appropriate to the aircraft rating sought.
2) Pilots Employed by a 14 CFR Part 125 Operator or Part 135 Operator. Pilots employed by a part 125 operator or part 135 operator must meet the following requirements in order to be allowed to extend the validity date of their ATP knowledge test:
a) The pilot must be employed as a pilot flightcrew member by a certificate holder under part 125 or 135 at the time of the ATP practical test.
b) The pilot must have satisfactorily accomplished the operator’s PIC aircraft qualification training or testing program appropriate to the certificate and rating sought.
NOTE: Completion of a part 125 or 135 operator’s SIC aircraft qualification training program does not meet the requirements of § 61.39. The aircraft training program must be the part 125 or 135 operator’s PIC aircraft qualification training or checking program.
NOTE: It is permissible for an applicant for an ATP practical test to present a knowledge test report that was taken before or was expired before the pilot became employed again by the certificate holder.
B. ATP with Other Than Airplane Category and Multiengine Class Rating. The validity of knowledge test results for the ATP Certificate with “other than airplane category” with multiengine class rating (i.e., airplane category single-engine class or rotorcraft category) may be extended for part 125 or 135 pilots.
1) The pilot must be employed as a pilot flightcrew member by a certificate holder under part 125 or 135 at the time of the ATP practical test.
2) The pilot must have satisfactorily accomplished the operator’s approved PIC aircraft qualification training or checking program appropriate to the aircraft rating sought.
NOTE: It is permissible for an applicant for an ATP practical test to present a knowledge test report that was taken before or was expired before the pilot became employed by the certificate holder
C. U.S. Armed Forces Pilots. For any ATP Certificate, U.S. Armed Forces pilots currently assigned as a flightcrew member in U.S. military air transport operations at the time of the practical test, who have completed the PIC aircraft qualification training program that is appropriate to the pilot certificate and rating sought, may have the validity of their ATP knowledge test report extended per § 61.39.
D. Extending Validity Period of the ATP Knowledge Test. If a pilot applicant qualifies for extension of their ATP knowledge test validity period, in accordance with § 61.39, the following will be stamped or typed on the airman’s knowledge test report: “The validity period of this ATP knowledge test form is extended in accordance with the applicable provisions of § 61.39.” Following this statement, the authorizing inspector or examiner will sign, date, and show their current Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) or certificate management office (CMO) assignment.
5-808 SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PRACTICAL TEST FOR AN APPLICANT FROM A PART 121 AIR CARRIER OR A PART 135 AIR CARRIER/OPERATOR. In accordance with § 61.157(b) and (c), applicants for a practical test for a type rating to be concurrently completed with an ATP must present a training record that shows completion of the air carrier’s approved training curriculum for the aircraft type rating, including:
· For part 121, completion of the approved programmed ground training hours.
· Completion of the approved ground training curriculum segment.
· For part 121, completion of the approved programmed flight training hours.
· Completion of the approved flight training curriculum segment.
· An authorized instructor’s certification that the applicant’s proficiency and knowledge were satisfactory upon completion of the training module, curriculum segment, or curriculum, as applicable. (Refer to § 121.401(c) and § 135.323(c).)
NOTE: In accordance with § 121.401(e), an applicant from a part 121 air carrier who progresses successfully through flight training and is recommended by an authorized instructor or check pilot is not required to complete the programmed flight training hours if the applicant is successful on the proficiency check.
NOTE: If an applicant previously has failed any segment of the practical test, all approved programmed flight training hours must be completed before retesting.
5-809 SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ORAL PORTION OF THE PRACTICAL TEST FOR AN APPLICANT FROM A PART 125 OR PART 91K OPERATOR. For the oral portion of the ATP practical test, these applicants must present their training records or a written statement from a company check pilot, as appropriate, as proof of having met the following eligibility requirements:
· All ground training hours have been completed;
· The ground training curriculum segment has been completed; and
· A check pilot, as appropriate, has certified that the applicant has acquired the necessary knowledge for the practical test (refer to § 125.287 and § 91.1073).
5-810 SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SIMULATION/FLIGHT PORTION OF THE PRACTICAL TEST FOR AN APPLICANT FROM A PART 125 OR PART 91K OPERATOR. Applicants from a part 125 or part 91K operator for the simulation/flight portion of the ATP practical test must present their training records or a written statement from a company official as proof of having met the following eligibility requirements:
A. Training Events. The training records or the written statement must show that the applicant has successfully completed all the ground, simulation, and aircraft training events required by the part 125 or part 91K approved training curriculum.
B. Training Hours. The training records or the written statement must show that the applicant has completed the number of ground, simulation, and aircraft training hours specified in the part 125 or part 91K approved training curriculum.
NOTE: An applicant from a part 125 or part 91K operator may qualify for the aircraft segment of the practical test with less than the specified number of flight training hours, provided an authorized instructor certifies that the applicant’s proficiency is satisfactory before beginning the practical test.
NOTE If an applicant has previously failed any segment of the aircraft segment of the practical test, all approved simulation and aircraft training hours must be completed before retesting, and the authorized instructor must certify that the applicant is proficient in the items failed.
C. Aircraft Training. All flight training must be completed before any segment of the flight portion of the practical test in an aircraft may be conducted. When the ATP practical test is conducted in two segments (i.e., where the practical test is in two segments involving use of flight simulator and the aircraft) the flight training specifically required in an aircraft must be completed before the aircraft segment of the practical test (see Figure 5-111, Training in an Airplane Requirement Before the Airplane Segment of a Two Segment Flight Test). The training required to be performed in the actual aircraft is not required before the flight simulation training device (FSTD) segment of the practical test.
Figure 5-109. ATP—Helicopter Qualifications Job Aid
Figure 5-109. ATP—Helicopter Qualifications Job Aid (Continued)
Figure 5-110. ATP—Airplane Multiengine Applicant Qualifications Job Aid for Applicants Engaged in Operations Under 14 CFR Part 121, 125, 135, or 91K
Figure 5-110. ATP—Airplane Multiengine Applicant Qualifications Job Aid for Applicants Engaged in Operations Under 14 CFR Part 121, 125, 135, or 91K (Continued)
Figure 5-110. ATP—Airplane Multiengine Applicant Qualifications Job Aid for Applicants Engaged in Operations Under 14 CFR Part 121, 125, 135, or 91K (Continued)
