FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)Easy
A commercial pilot applying for an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with an airplane multiengine class rating (not using a restricted-privileges pathway) must show a minimum amount of total flight time under 14 CFR 61.159. What is that minimum?
- A1,000 hours
- B750 hours
- C1,200 hours
- D1,500 hours
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 1,500 hours
14 CFR 61.159 requires 1,500 total flight hours for an unrestricted ATP certificate, including at least 500 cross-country, 100 night, 250 PIC, and 75 instrument hours.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 1,000 hours corresponds to the restricted-privileges ATP military/degree pathways, not the standard requirement.
- B. 750 hours is unrelated to ATP total time requirements.
- C. 1,200 hours is not a Part 61 ATP threshold.
ATP Total Time Requirement
14 CFR 61.159 sets the aeronautical experience needed for an unrestricted Airplane ATP certificate.
- 1,500 total flight hours minimum
- Includes 500 hrs cross-country, 100 hrs night, 250 hrs PIC, 75 hrs instrument
- Restricted-privileges ATP pathways (military, degree, other) allow as low as 750-1,000 hours
Memory trick: "1500 to fly the line"