FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)Medium
A pilot holds a bachelor's degree with an aviation major from a school with an FAA-approved curriculum and wishes to apply for a restricted-privileges ATP certificate under 14 CFR 61.160 to serve as a Part 121 second in command before reaching age 23. What is the minimum total flight time required?
- A1,000 hours
- B1,500 hours
- C750 hours
- D1,250 hours
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 1,000 hours
Under 14 CFR 61.160, a restricted-privileges ATP with reduced aeronautical experience requires 750 hours for military pilots, 1,000 hours for a bachelor's degree with an aviation major, and 1,250 hours for an associate degree, versus the standard 1,500 hours. This pilot qualifies for the 1,000-hour bachelor's degree pathway.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. 1,500 hours is the standard ATP minimum without any reduction.
- C. 750 hours applies to qualified military pilots, not degree graduates.
- D. 1,250 hours applies to an associate degree with an approved aviation major.
Restricted ATP (61.160)
Allows pilots under 1,500 total hours to hold a restricted-privileges ATP for Part 121 SIC duty, based on qualifying education/military background.
- 750 hrs: military pilots
- 1,000 hrs: bachelor's degree, aviation major
- 1,250 hrs: associate degree, aviation major
- Restricted ATP allows SIC only, not PIC, until standard 1,500-hour ATP is earned
Memory trick: 'Military 750, Bachelor's grand (1000), Associate 1250' — degrees buy down hours.