Aeronautical experience: Powered-lift category rating

This regulation sets the experience requirements for an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate with a powered-lift category rating. You need 1,500 total flight hours, including 500 cross-country, 100 night, and 75 instrument hours (with limits on simulator time). Critically, you must have 250 hours in powered-lift aircraft as pilot in command or performing PIC duties under supervision, including 100 cross-country and 25 night hours in that aircraft category.

Up to 100 hours toward the total 1,500-hour requirement can come from Part 142 training center simulators. For instrument time, you can credit up to 25 hours of simulator time (or 50 hours if completed at a Part 142 center).

If you use the reduced ATP minimums under §61.159(c), your certificate will carry an ICAO limitation stating you don't meet international PIC experience standards. This limitation is removed once you meet full ICAO requirements.

*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.*