Pilot Qualification: Certificates and experience requirements

This regulation sets the minimum certificate and experience requirements for pilots flying Part 121 airline operations.

For Pilot in Command: You must hold an unrestricted ATP certificate (not one with the limitations from the restricted ATP program), have the appropriate type rating for the aircraft, and have accumulated 1,000 hours in qualifying experience. This experience can include time as second in command in Part 121, pilot in command in certain Part 91 or 135 operations, or any combination. You can credit up to 500 hours of military time if it was as PIC in multi-engine turbine aircraft requiring multiple pilots. Pilots who were already Part 121 captains on July 31, 2013, are grandfathered from the 1,000-hour requirement.

For Second in Command: You must hold an ATP certificate and appropriate type rating. The second-in-command type rating under §61.55 doesn't meet this requirement—you need a full type rating.

This ensures all airline pilots meet rigorous certification standards before operating passenger flights.

*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.*