Applicability

This regulation introduces the entire subpart covering Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificates—the highest level of pilot certification. It tells you that the following regulations will explain three key things: what you need to do to earn an ATP certificate and its various ratings, when you're legally required to hold an ATP certificate (such as acting as captain for an airline), and what rules apply once you have one.

Think of this as the "table of contents" statement for ATP certification. It doesn't contain any specific requirements itself, but it sets the scope for all the ATP regulations that follow in this subpart. If you're planning to fly for an airline or need to understand ATP privileges and limitations, this section signals that the subsequent regulations (61.153 through 61.167) contain the actual requirements you'll need to meet.

*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.*