Aeronautical knowledge

This regulation specifies what you need to know to pass the ATP knowledge test. The test covers 14 knowledge areas appropriate to your aircraft category and class, including:

• FAA regulations governing ATP operations
• Advanced meteorology (fronts, icing, upper-air data, windshear, microbursts)
• Weather systems, charts, and forecasts
• IFR navigation and ATC procedures
• Aircraft performance, weight and balance
• Advanced aerodynamics
• Human factors, aeronautical decision-making, and crew resource management

Important exception: If you're adding a type rating to an existing ATP certificate and already hold the appropriate category and class rating, you don't need to take another knowledge test.

Additional requirement: If you're seeking an ATP with airplane multiengine class rating (or getting ATP and multiengine type rating together), you must also know the content from the ATP Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP) described in §61.156.

*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.*