FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)Easy
Under 14 CFR 61.153, what is the minimum age required to be issued an unrestricted Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate?
- A24 years
- B25 years
- C23 years
- D21 years
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 23 years
14 CFR 61.153(a) requires an applicant for an unrestricted ATP certificate to be at least 23 years of age. A restricted ATP under 61.160 may be issued as early as age 21 with reduced total time requirements.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 24 is not a threshold specified in 61.153
- B. 25 is not a threshold specified in 61.153
- D. 21 is the minimum age for a restricted ATP, not the unrestricted certificate
ATP Minimum Age (61.153)
The minimum age to hold an unrestricted ATP certificate is 23 years.
- Restricted ATP allowed at age 21 (61.160)
- Unrestricted ATP requires age 23
- Age requirement is separate from total time requirements
Memory trick: 23 candles before the full ATP cake.