Piper Archer sitting on ground at a three-quarter angle

Flight Training TimelineStart From Zero Time or With Credit for Private

With ATP's fast track, total immersion pilot training, you will complete the Airline Career Pilot Program with all the certification you need for employment as a professional pilot in just nine months.

Many factors such as local weather, winter conditions, examiner availability, as well as your dedication, availability, and ability to absorb information quickly can affect your training timeline and can lengthen the duration of your program. While ATP does not guarantee program completion time, our nationwide network of resources, training centers, aircraft and examiners works to lessen the impact of delays.

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Choose Your Starting Point

Pre-Arrival Prep
Complete Required Knowledge Tests & ATP Elevate Ground School

Pre-Arrival Prep

The following requirements are to be fulfilled 28 days prior to your class start date:

How to Prepare for Your Airline Career Pilot Program?

I've signed up for classes and placed my deposit. What do I need to do before my class start date?

Preparing for Flight School »

Begin Program with Zero Experience and Graduate in 9 Months


Begin with Credit for Solo and Graduate in 8 Months


Begin with Credit for Your Private Pilot Certificate and Graduate in 6 Months


Private Pilot
The first step towards becoming an airline pilot is earning your Private Pilot Certificate.
12 Weeks

Private Pilot

The first step towards becoming a commercial pilot is earning your single-engine Private Pilot Certificate. Keeping your end goal in mind — ATP's philosophy is to deliver airline-style training and flight experience at the very onset of a pilot's training career. This is accomplished through standardized operating procedures and training students to a high level of proficiency. In your primary training stage, you'll learn the fundamentals of flight and accomplish your first solo.

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What's Included
Aircraft Flown
Certificate Earned

Private Pilot (with single-engine privileges)

Typical Training Day

Requires up to 7 days per week, must be flexible

During the first two weeks of training, you'll attend ATP Elevate Ground School sessions, five days per week, and complete 35 hours of private pilot ground school.

For the remainder of your training, and as directed by your flight instructor and the program outline, each day you will participate in guided independent study (online modules, reading, research, "chair flying", etc.), group study (with students in similar stages of training), and/or flight lessons with related briefings. In addition, some days include simulator lessons, individual ground lessons and/or group ground lessons.

Learn more about a typical flight training day »

Learn more about required availability »

Some Time Away from Primary Training Center May Be Required

To keep your training on time, the single-engine private pilot checkride may be scheduled at a location other than your primary training center. In such cases, travel will be required and ATP will coordinate transportation and housing as necessary.

Multi-Engine Rating

Add multi-engine privileges to your private pilot certificate, allowing you to fly larger complex aircraft. While the principles of flight remain the same, learning to fly the multi-engine Piper Seminole will involve new concepts such as multi-engine aerodynamics, emergency operations, and more sophisticated systems.

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What's Included
Aircraft Flown
Rating Earned

Multi-Engine Rating

Typical Training Day

Requires up to 7 days per week, must be flexible

As directed by your flight instructor and the program outline, each day you will participate in guided independent study (online modules, reading, research, "chair flying", etc.), group study (with students in similar stages of training), and/or flight lessons with related briefings. In addition, some days include simulator lessons, individual ground lessons and/or group ground lessons.

Learn more about a typical flight training day »

Learn more about required availability »

Some Time Away from Primary Training Center May Be Required

To keep your training on time, the multi-engine rating checkride may be scheduled at a location other than your primary training center. In such cases, travel will be required and ATP will coordinate transportation and housing as necessary.

Private Pilot
The first step towards becoming an airline pilot is earning your Private Pilot Certificate.
8 Weeks

Private Pilot

The first step towards becoming a commercial pilot is earning your single-engine Private Pilot Certificate. Keeping your end goal in mind — ATP's philosophy is to deliver airline-style training and flight experience at the very onset of a pilot's training career. This is accomplished through standardized operating procedures and training students to a high level of proficiency. In your primary training stage, you'll learn the fundamentals of flight.

Request More Information »

What's Included
Aircraft Flown
Certificate Earned

Private Pilot (with single-engine privileges)

Typical Training Day

Requires up to 7 days per week, must be flexible

During the first two weeks of training, you'll attend ATP Elevate Ground School sessions, five days per week, and complete 35 hours of private pilot ground school.

For the remainder of your training, and as directed by your flight instructor and the program outline, each day you will participate in guided independent study (online modules, reading, research, "chair flying", etc.), group study (with students in similar stages of training), and/or flight lessons with related briefings. In addition, some days include simulator lessons, individual ground lessons and/or group ground lessons.

Learn more about a typical flight training day »

Learn more about required availability »

Some Time Away from Primary Training Center May Be Required

To keep your training on time, the single-engine private pilot checkride may be scheduled at a location other than your primary training center. In such cases, travel will be required and ATP will coordinate transportation and housing as necessary.

Multi-Engine Rating

Add multi-engine privileges to your private pilot certificate, allowing you to fly larger complex aircraft. While the principles of flight remain the same, learning to fly the multi-engine Piper Seminole will involve new concepts such as multi-engine aerodynamics, emergency operations, and more sophisticated systems.

Request More Information »

What's Included
Aircraft Flown
Rating Earned

Multi-Engine Rating

Typical Training Day

Requires up to 7 days per week, must be flexible

As directed by your flight instructor and the program outline, each day you will participate in guided independent study (online modules, reading, research, "chair flying", etc.), group study (with students in similar stages of training), and/or flight lessons with related briefings. In addition, some days include simulator lessons, individual ground lessons and/or group ground lessons.

Learn more about a typical flight training day »

Learn more about required availability »

Some Time Away from Primary Training Center May Be Required

To keep your training on time, the multi-engine rating checkride may be scheduled at a location other than your primary training center. In such cases, travel will be required and ATP will coordinate transportation and housing as necessary.

Instrument Rating
Add an instrument rating to your private pilot certificate, which will allow you to fly in all kinds of weather.
10 Weeks

Instrument Rating

Airlines conduct flights under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), allowing them to fly in less than ideal weather conditions. Accordingly, these pilots must have an Instrument Rating. During this stage, students conduct flights under simulated instrument conditions and learn IFR procedures such as approaches, holds, arrival and departure procedures, and emergency operations.

Not unlike other stages of the program, students are trained using standard operating procedures, flows, and callouts. This practice not only increases safety and consistency, but will prepare students for flying in the airline environment.

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What's Included
Aircraft Flown
Rating Earned

Instrument Rating

Typical Training Day

Requires up to 7 days per week, must be flexible

During the first two weeks of training, you'll attend ATP Elevate Ground School sessions, five days per week, and complete 35 hours of instrument ground school.

For the remainder of your training, and as directed by your flight instructor and the program outline, each day you will participate in guided independent study (online modules, reading, research, "chair flying", etc.), group study (with students in similar stages of training), and/or flight lessons with related briefings. In addition, some days include simulator lessons, individual ground lessons and/or group ground lessons.

Learn more about a typical flight training day »

Learn more about required availability »

Some Time Away from Primary Training Center May Be Required

To keep your training on time, the instrument rating checkride may be scheduled at a location other than your primary training center. In such cases, travel will be required and ATP will coordinate transportation and housing as necessary.

Horizon Pilot Development Program

$5,000 Tuition Reimbursement — Earn $5,000 at this stage of your flight training through the Horizon Pilot Development Program.

Crew-Style Flight Experience
Once instrument rated, gain experience flying with a fellow student.
3 Weeks

Crew-Style Flight Experience

Upon earning an Instrument Rating, students are paired together on flights and gain experience operating in an airline-style environment using crew resource management.

Each flight is operated using standardized procedures, as well as enhanced scheduling with flight releases to assist with weather, routing, and performance reviews. Routes are scheduled based on operational needs and multiple flights to the same airport may be scheduled — just like the airlines. ATP's specialized Flight Operations team ensure safety and support for each flight through around-the-clock monitoring.

This crew-style flying requires a level of currency, proficiency, and standardization that defines ATP's excellence in flight training.

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Aircraft Flown
Typical Training Day

7 Days Per Week

Each day you can expect to fly one or more flights.

Learn more about required availability.

Up to Three Weeks from Primary Training Center Required

During the three-week Crew-Style Flight Experience stage of training, you will fly to any number of destinations. You may be required to be away from your primary training center for extended periods — just like the airlines.

Learn More About Time Away »

Commercial Pilot
After gaining crew-style flight experience, earn your single-engine Commercial Pilot Certificate.
5 Weeks

Commercial Pilot

After completing the crew-style flying stage, students will begin preparing for their single-engine Commercial Pilot Certificate, eventually allowing them to be paid to fly. As a commercial pilot, new flight maneuvers are introduced and existing ones are held to tighter tolerances. Prior to completing the commercial pilot practical test, 10 hours of Technologically Advanced Aircraft training will have been conducted either at your primary training center or at another location.

Airline Career Pilot Program students can accelerate their path to airline hiring minimums by starting ATP's exclusive Airline Direct Track after earning their Commercial Pilot certificate.

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What's Included
Aircraft Flown
Certificate Earned

Commercial Pilot (with single-engine privileges)

Typical Training Day

Requires up to 7 days per week, must be flexible

As directed by your flight instructor and the program outline, each day you will participate in guided independent study (online modules, reading, research, "chair flying", etc.), group study (with students in similar stages of training), and/or flight lessons with related briefings. In addition, some days include simulator lessons, individual ground lessons and/or group ground lessons.

Learn more about a typical flight training day »

Learn more about required availability »

Some Time Away from Primary Training Center May Be Required

To keep your training on time, the commercial pilot checkride may be scheduled at a location other than your primary training center. In such cases, travel will be required and ATP will coordinate transportation and housing as necessary. Additionally, if no previous training was conducted in Technologically Advanced Aircraft, you may be required to travel to another training center for up to two weeks to accomplish this training.

Flight Instructor
Become a flight instructor – the best way to gain experience and meet airline minimums.
6 Weeks

Flight Instructor

Six weeks of the program are devoted to developing students into Certificated Flight Instructors (CFI). During the flight instructor stage students learn the fundamentals of instruction and hone their ability to effectively teach and communicate the knowledge and experience they have attained throughout the program.

Becoming a CFI allows you to begin earning an income in your new career while you gain the flight experience needed to meet airline minimums.

National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) Logo Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Logo

Nationally Awarded & Recognized Instructors

ATP Flight School instructors set the industry standard for professional airline-oriented flight training. The quality and professionalism of ATP instructors have been consistently recognized by AOPA and the National Association of Flight Instructors.

Learn More »

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What's Included
Aircraft Flown
Certificate Earned

Flight Instructor (with single-engine and instrument privileges)

You will earn your multi-engine instructor add-on rating later in the program.

Typical Training Day

Requires up to 7 days per week, must be flexible

The first two weeks of the flight instructor stage consists of instructor-led remote ATP Elevate Ground School, requiring full time virtual participation from your home.

As directed by your flight instructor and the program outline, each day you will participate in guided independent study (online modules, reading, research, "chair flying", etc.), group study (with students in similar stages of training), and/or flight lessons with related briefings. In addition, some days include simulator lessons, individual ground lessons and/or group ground lessons.

Learn more about a typical flight training day »

Learn more about required availability »

Up to Five Weeks from Primary Training Center Required

Depending on where you choose to train, you may be required to travel to another location. In such cases, travel will be required and ATP will coordinate transportation and housing as necessary.

Learn More About Time Away »

Multi-Engine Add-Ons
Add multi-engine ratings to your existing certificates, allowing you to operate faster, larger aircraft.
2 Weeks

Multi-Engine Add-Ons

Begin flying the Piper Seminole to add multi-engine privileges to your certificates. While the principles of flight remain the same, learning to fly the multi-engine Seminole will involve new concepts such as multi-engine aerodynamics, emergency operations, and more complex systems. This stage of the program also includes the flight time necessary to ensure that you'll meet Airline Transport Pilot certificate requirements later in your career and be eligible for airline pilot employment.

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What's Included
  • Multi-Engine Online Training Resources
  • Commercial Multi-Engine Flight Instruction & Briefings
  • Multi-Engine CFI Flight Instruction & Briefings

Includes the flight time necessary to ensure that you'll meet Airline Transport Pilot certificate requirements later in your career and be eligible for airline pilot employment.

Aircraft Flown
Privileges Earned
  • Commercial Pilot Multi-Engine Privileges
  • Certificated Flight Instructor Multi-Engine Privileges
Typical Training Day

Requires up to 7 days per week, must be flexible

As directed by your flight instructor and the program outline, each day you will participate in guided independent study (online modules, reading, research, "chair flying", etc.), group study (with students in similar stages of training), and/or flight lessons with related briefings. In addition, some days include simulator lessons, individual ground lessons and/or group ground lessons.

Learn more about a typical flight training day »

Learn more about required availability »

Up to Three Weeks from Primary Training Center Required

Depending on where you choose to train, you may be required to travel to a Piper Seminole location. In such cases, travel will be required and ATP will coordinate transportation and housing as necessary.

Learn More About Time Away »

Horizon Pilot Development Program

$7,500 Tuition Reimbursement — Earn $7,500 at this stage of your flight training through the Horizon Pilot Development Program.

Fly as a Flight Instructor
Gain flight time and experience by flying as a flight instructor.

Fly as a Flight Instructor

ATP is hiring Airline Career Program graduates for CFI jobs! Work towards the minimum airline hiring requirement of 1,500 hours as a certificated flight instructor (CFI) with ATP. As an ATP flight instructor, you will:

  • Get Paid to Fly — Earn flight, ground and simulator fees, plus bonuses.
  • Gain Experience Fast — ATP students flew over 542,000 hours the last year.
  • Tuition Reimbursement — Through ATP's Exclusive Airline Partnerships.
  • Career Development — Qualify to participate in A320 and B737 Direct Programs with Spirit, Frontier, Avelo, and Sun Country.

Learn about the eligibility requirements and benefits »

ATP Flight Instructor with Student

Airline Career Pilot Program students have the option to accelerate their path to 1500 hours with ATP's exclusive Airline Direct Track after earning their Commercial Pilot certificate.

Tuition Reimbursement & Airline Direct Programs
While flying as a flight instructor, you can earn airline-sponsored tuition reimbursement and fast track your career with exclusive Direct Programs.

Tuition Reimbursement And Airline Direct Programs

As an ATP instructor, you'll be able to take advantage of the best competitive offers and exclusive partnerships, including airline-sponsored tuition reimbursement, cadet programs, and Airline Direct Programs for accelerated career progression.

Explore Airline Assistance Opportunities at ATP »

Tuition Reimbursement

ATP's partner airlines will contribute financially toward the cost of your flight training. Only at ATP can you earn $17,500 in airline-sponsored tuition reimbursement from SkyWest as a flight instructor. Visit CommuteAir, Horizon Air, PSA Airlines, and SkyWest to learn how it works.

Cadet Programs

The Envoy Cadet Program allows you to earn financial assistance and receive health and travel benefits while flying as an instructor. Once you're at Envoy, you'll then be able to flow through to American Airlines.

ATP Flight School Logo
Envoy Air Logo
American Airlines Logo

Direct Programs

Partnerships with Spirit, Frontier, Avelo, and Sun Country allow ATP instructors to fast track their career and go straight to the Airbus and Boeing flight deck as a First Officer at 1,500 hours.

Airline assistance programs vary by airline.

Airline Placement
Begin flying as an airline pilot with one of ATP's airline partners, who provide you with a direct path to the major airlines.
1,500 Hours

Your Path to the Majors ATP's Airline Hiring Partnerships

After gaining 1,500 hours of flight time, you are ready to move on to the airlines. ATP's hiring partnerships set the foundation for your career success, providing the fastest path to all major airlines and multiple options on how to get there. With 38 airline, cargo, and corporate operator partnerships, you'll be able to take advantage of tuition reimbursement and cadet programs, corporate pathway programs, as well as direct programs allowing you to go straight to the A320 and B737.

Ongoing Career Support

ATP's Career Services team is ready to assist you after you graduate with locating entry-level job opportunities or charting your path to the major airlines through one of ATP's airline partners.

Ongoing career support and mentorship is provided through the no-fee ATP Alumni Association, giving you the opportunity to attend exclusive alumni events and take advantage of exclusive discounts for resume and interview prep services.

Accelerate Your Path to 1500 Hours With the Airline Direct Track

Get Started Today »

ATP Students Get to Airline Hiring Minimums First in the Airline Direct Track

Life as an ATP Flight School StudentWork towards your goal of becoming an airline pilot.

Life as an ATP Flight School Student

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Get Free Airline Career Pilot Program Info Download Yours Now — No Obligation

Download Free Airline Career Pilot Program Information

Free Program Information

Get your complete guide on ATP's Pilot Program — Cost, Locations, Pre Reqs, and More.

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What Others Have to SayAirline Career Pilot Program Testimonials

Airline Career Pilot Program graduates are being hired by the airlines

“ATP provides instructor advancement opportunities, quality staff, and unparalleled airline partnerships.”

Jack Baker

Airline Career Pilot Program Graduate