The Airline Transport Pilot License(ATPL), or in the United States of America, an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate is the highest level of aircraft pilot certificate.

Those certified as Airline Transport Pilots (unconditional) are authorized to act as pilot in command on scheduled air carrier’s aircraft under CFR 14 Part 121.

In the UK, pilots must hold an ATP before they can be Pilot In Command on an aircraft with 9 or more passenger seats.

Any pilot operating an aircraft for pay must start by obtaining a Commercial pilot certificate (CPL). Airline Transport Pilot certifications do not have special endorsements, such as Instrument or Complex aircraft ratings, as Airline Transport Pilots must already possess knowledge and training in these areas. However, aircraft heavier than 12,500 lbs. still require pilots to have a “type rating” (specific to the make and model of aircraft) certification.

The first ATPL module contains the following subjects:

• 022 – Instrumentation
• 061 – General Navigation
• 050 – Meteorology
• 040 – Human Performance and Limitations

After the Module 1 exams you will progress to study the following Module 2 subjects:

• 062 – Radio Navigation
• 021 – Airframe and Systems, Electrics, Power Plant and Emergency Equipment
• 010 – Air Law
• 033 – Flight Planning and Flight Monitoring

Finally, Module 3 consists of:

• 070 – Operational Procedures
• 081 – Principles of Flight
• 032 – Performance
• 031 – Mass and Balance
• 090 – Communications. This subject has two separate exams: VFR Communications and IFR Communications, but we combine them on the course.