ATP Piper Seminole flying over water at slight angle

Admissions Prerequisites and Requirements for the Airline Career Pilot Program

If you're a hard-working, ambitious, career-minded individual then ATP can put you on a path to a successful airline pilot career. Take the first step by calling 904-595-7950 to speak with a friendly ATP Admissions Advisor.

Choose Your Starting Point…

  • ATP Admissions will confirm you have at least one of the following:
    • A High School GPA of 3.0 (High School Seniors and Recent Graduates Only), or
    • Two Years of College Experience, or
    • Two Years of Professional Work Experience, or
    • Two Years of Military Service With an Honorable Discharge
  • Successfully complete an Admissions Flight at any ATP Training Center
  • Successfully complete a Pre-Enrollment Interview with an ATP Admissions Advisor
  • US Citizenship (or Permanent Resident)
  • 18 years of age or older
  • FAA First Class Medical Certificate with no limitations (except for corrective lenses)
  • Adherence to Height and Weight Limits — Students taller than 6'3" will be assessed during an Admissions Flight for comfort level inside the aircraft and the ability to fully manipulate the controls. Due to aircraft operational limitations, students weighing more than 250lbs may be denied training in ATP aircraft.
  • Adherence to scheduling availability 7 days a week, sun up to sun down (plus required night flights and time away from your primary training center)
  • Adherence to a reasonable commute time from your residence to ATP allowing you to be at the training center daily and available to accept flight training blocks on short notice. This will prepare you for your first job at the airlines where you'll be assigned to ready reserve (also known as airport standby or short call) and expected to operate a flight within 30 minutes.
  • Private Pilot Certificate
    Note: Must hold temporary or permanent certificate prior to scheduling.
  • 78+ Hours Total Flight Time, including
    • 8 Hours Cross-Country PIC
  • Successfully complete an Admissions Flight at any ATP Training Center
  • Successfully complete a Pre-Enrollment Interview with an ATP Admissions Advisor
  • US Citizenship (or Permanent Resident)
  • 18 years of age or older
  • FAA First Class Medical Certificate with no limitations (except for corrective lenses)
  • Adherence to Height and Weight Limits — Students taller than 6'3" will be assessed during an Admissions Flight for comfort level inside the aircraft and the ability to fully manipulate the controls. Due to aircraft operational limitations, students weighing more than 250lbs may be denied training in ATP aircraft.
  • Adherence to scheduling availability 7 days a week, sun up to sun down (plus required night flights and time away from your primary training center)
  • Adherence to a reasonable commute time from your residence to ATP allowing you to be at the training center daily and available to accept flight training blocks on short notice. This will prepare you for your first job at the airlines where you'll be assigned to ready reserve (also known as airport standby or short call) and expected to operate a flight within 30 minutes.
Have Your PPL But Are You Short of Total Flight Time?

Time Build

For $250 per hour, ATP will include the flight time required to reach 78 hours total time before proceeding in the Airline Career Pilot Program.

Request More Info »

Note that admission to ATP is extremely competitive, and meeting the criteria above does not guarantee acceptance.

Request Program Information »

Steps to Enrollment

Learn more about the admissions process and the steps to enrolling and becoming a commercial pilot in ATP's Airline Career Pilot Program.

Learn the Steps to Enrollment »

Free Program Information

Get the complete free PDF on ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program.

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Still Have Questions?Real Answers from Real Pilots

Airline Pilot Life

Join the conversation on AirlinePilot.life, the online community where you can ask actual airline pilots all of your flight training and airline career questions.

Airline Career Pilot Program graduates are being hired by the airlines

“ATP laid the foundation for success in my aviation career… from zero experience to my dream major airline in just 5½ years.”