If you’re working toward becoming a professional commercial pilot, you’re obviously going to need to have your commercial pilots license. If you want to move on and pilot some of the larger aircraft from by the big airlines, you’re going to need to step up to the Airline Transport Pilot or ATP license.

If you’re not yet 23 years old, that’s the first hurdle you’re going to need to cross. Of course, getting starting at a young age is smart. By the time you have all the experience you need, this may not be a factor. As an ATP, you’ll need to have your First Class medical certificate and be able to read and write in English as well as speak it and understand when others are doing the same.

When it comes to the required experience, the minimum you’ll need before taking your ATP tests is 1500 hours. Part of those 1500 hours need to consist of more than 500 hours of cross-country flight. You’ll also need at least 75 hours of instrument experiences. Of course, some of this can be done in a simulator to help reduce your costs.

You don’t need to have your ATP to get your first job with a regional. Most regionals only require you have a commercial multi-engine license. But, even if they say you don’t need an ATP, you may want to have one in a competitive job market.

Remember, having your ATP and just 1500 hours, probably isn’t going to get you a job at one of the major airlines like United or Delta. That’s why it’s so important to do your hours at one of the regional airlines.

The other advantage with getting on with a regional is their willingness to help you get your ATP at some point in your career. They realize most pilots are going with a regional airline as a stepping stone to the big airlines, so, to help attract the best, they’ll offer incentives like this.

Taking the written exam is just like all of the other exams you’ve taken up to this point. You’ll sit in front of a computer and answer 80 questions. You’ll obviously be doing a lot of studying as you prepare for your ATP, so this shouldn’t be a problem.

The ATP checkride is almost exactly the same as your Instrument Rating checkride. The only difference is the room for error you’re given. As an ATP you don’t have much. But, after 1500 hours flying, you should be doing well at all the required maneuvers. Don’t stress over it.

Just like all of the other licenses you’ve earned prior to the ATP, you’re just opening up the opportunity for further learning. This is the top of the heap when it comes to certificates but it doesn’t mean you’ve learned everything there is to know. That knowledge comes from years and years of experience.