Airline transport pilot certification training program

This regulation allows airlines (Part 121 certificate holders) to establish FAA-approved training programs that meet the Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP) requirements of § 61.156. This program must be separate from the airline's regular pilot training.

Instructors in these programs must hold an ATP certificate with airplane multiengine rating and have at least two years of relevant experience as pilot in command or second in command. Unless they already hold a flight instructor certificate, they must receive initial training on teaching fundamentals, instructional methods, and evaluation techniques.

Instructors using flight simulators must hold a type rating for that aircraft and receive annual training on simulator operation, limitations, and the maneuvers they'll demonstrate.

The airline cannot graduate students who haven't completed all curriculum requirements, and the FAA will evaluate the program to ensure training standards are acceptable. This allows airlines to provide the prerequisite ATP training in-house rather than requiring pilots to obtain it elsewhere.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*