The Airline Transport Pilot license or ATP is the
pinnacle of your aviation career. By the time you have reached this level you are
now a professional pilot. The ATP is required in order to be the pilot in
command for an airline, corporate flight department, or charter operator.
Usually required for insurance reasons it signifies that you and you alone are
ultimately responsible for the safety and well being of the passengers or cargo
aboard your aircraft.
Your ATP license can be obtained just
like any other license or rating through training and the appropriate sign off,
or usually its obtained through your employer. Most folks start out in the right
seat at a regional airline or charter outfit. After paying their dues the
company they work for puts them through the training required to obtain your
ATP. Many times this is combined with at type rating in the aircraft you fly, if
its required.
Follow the links below to learn more
about what it takes to obtain your ATP, flight schools specializing in ATP
training for ex-military, and links to help you find a job so that hopefully you
don't have to pay for your ATP yourself. Also included are the FAA requirements
for ATP certification as well more information on type ratings.
