If you’re aspiring to become a commercial or airline pilot and you’ve been doing your research, you’ve likely come across references to the ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) and Restricted ATP (R-ATP) certificates in job descriptions and requirements. In this guide, we’ll breakdown what an R-ATP is, the associated benefits and limitations, and the the process for obtaining it. First, we’ll start by defining an ATP.
What is ATP?
ATP stands for Airline Transport Pilot certificate, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) highest certification required for all airline pilots in the United States. It also aligns with ICAO standards, allowing pilots to operate internationally.
To be eligible to apply for an ATP certificate (airplane category), a person must:
- Be at least 23 years old
- Read, speak, write and understand English
- Be of good moral character
- Hold a commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating
- Military and foreign pilot certificates may fulfill this requirement.
- Meet the aeronautical experience requirements, which include:
- At least 1500 hour of flight time, including:
- 500 hours of cross country
- 100 hours of night
- 50 hours in the class of aircraft
- 75 hours of instrument time
- 250 hours of pilot-in-command time (or second-in-command performing the duties of PIC under the supervision of PIC)
- Not more than 100 hours performed in a flight simulator
- At least 1500 hour of flight time, including:
- Pass a knowledge test
- Pass a practical test
What is Restricted ATP?
The Restricted ATP or R-ATP is an ATP Certificate with restrictions regarding a pilot’s aeronautical experience and/or age. While the ATP certificate is the highest level of pilot certification and a mandatory qualification for an airline career, pilots who don’t yet meet all the ATP requirements can obtain a Restricted ATP, which allows them to operate as an airline transport pilot with reduced experience requirements and limited privileges.
The R-ATP allows pilots with a certain level of higher education or military training a way to work as a first officer at an airline before meeting all of the requirements for the full ATP certificate. It also comes with certain restrictions. For example, a pilot may operate as second-in-command at an airline, but cannot operate as pilot-in-command with a Restricted ATP.
According to FAA Advisory Circular 61-139:
“Graduates of an institution of higher education that has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization to certify graduates may be eligible to apply for a restricted privileges airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate. The total flight time requirements for a restricted privileges ATP Certificate based on a degree with an aviation major are:
- 1,000 hours for a graduate who holds a bachelor’s degree with an aviation major and meets the remaining requirements of § 61.160(b);
- 1,250 hours for a graduate who holds an associate’s degree with an aviation major and meets the remaining requirements of § 61.160(c); and
- 1,250 hours for a graduate who holds a bachelor’s degree with an aviation major and meets the remaining requirements of § 61.160(d).”
The Code of Federal Regulation FAR Part 61.160 “Aeronautical experience—airplane category restricted privileges” outlines the requirements for ATP certificate holders with restricted privileges (R-ATP).
The chart below identifies the major differences in ATP and R-ATP.
R-ATP vs ATP
ATP |
R-ATP |
|
|
Flight Hours |
||
| Total Flight Hours |
1500
|
1250- Associate’s Degree (with at least 30 credit hours of recognized aviation coursework)
1000- Bachelor’s Degree (with at least 60 credit hours of recognized aviation-related coursework) 750 – Military |
| Cross Country | 500 | 200 |
| Night Flying | 100 | |
| IFR Training | 75 | 75 |
| Multi-Engine | 50 | 50 |
| Pilot in Command | 250 | 250 |
|
Age |
||
| Minimum Age | 23 | 21 |
Meeting the Restricted ATP Requirements
To qualify for a Restricted ATP, you must either be a military-trained pilot or hold an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree from an FAA-approved institution. The degree must be from an accredited college or university operating under Part 141 with an FAA Letter of Authorization (LOA). Additionally, these institutions must maintain ongoing compliance with FAA regulations.
How To Get Your R-ATP Certificate
The Restricted ATP (R-ATP) is a perfect option for those who want to accomplish a degree program alongside their flight training.
Airline pilot applicants with college degrees not only have the advantage of being offered interviews before their peers without degrees, they also have the advantage of getting hired on earlier with a Restricted ATP certificate.
Aviation Bachelor’s Degree applicants:
A person may apply for a R-ATP if they have a Bachelor’s degree with an aviation major from an institution of higher education, as approved by the FAA and if they have an LOA, if they’ve completed at least 60 semester credit hours of aviation and aviation-related coursework that has been recognized by the FAA.
They must meet all of the standard requirements, including a commercial pilto certificate and instrument rating, but can apply with 1000 hours of total flight time instead of 1500 hours.
Aviation Associate’s Degree Applicants:
An applicant with an Associate’s degree may apply for an airline transport pilot certificate with a minimum of 1,250 hours of total time as a pilot if the person has an Associate’s degree with an aviation major from an institution of higher education, as approved by the FAA, and has completes at least 30 semester credit hours of aviation and aviation-related coursework that has been recognized by FAA.
Associates degree applicants must still hold a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating.
Official transcripts are required to be submitted.
Military Applicants:
U.S. Military pilots, with the exception of those who were removed from flying duties for lack of proficiency or some disciplinary action, can apply for a R-ATP with a minimum of 750 hours with a DD-214 (honorable discharge) and submission of military pilot training records.
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