The Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), or in the United States of America, an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP) is the highest level of aircraft pilot rating -- or license. Those certified as Airline Transport Pilots are authorized to act as pilot-in-command of a scheduled air carrier's aircraft having a maximum gross weight over 12,500 pounds or having over 9 passenger seats. ATP may be used as a name suffix for example Brian A. Jones III, ATP.
Any pilot operating an aircraft for pay must start by obtaining a Commercial Pilot License (CPL). Many larger aircraft also require pilot's to have a type rating certifications as well as an ATP rating.
Theoretical subjects included for ATPL applicants are:
To be eligible to take the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) ATPL Practical Test, commonly called the "checkride", the candidate must have at least 1500 hours of experience in aircraft and be at least 23 years old.
The term "frozen ATPL" has become popular outside the United States in the industry as slang for someone with a (1) Commercial Pilot's License with a Multi-Engine aircraft class rating, (2) a Multi-Engine Instrument rating, and (3) a certificate of Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC). After 1500 flight hours have been completed, an ATPL candidate can take the FAA's ATPL written skills test.
For more information, see the appropriate sections in: