Definition
An Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate issued with a multiengine airplane category and class rating, representing the highest level of pilot certification in the United States and the minimum certification required to act as pilot-in-command of a scheduled airline operation under 14 CFR Part 121. Earning it requires meeting the FAA's age, experience, knowledge, and skill standards specific to multiengine airplanes, including completion of the ATP Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP) before taking the knowledge test.
Plain English
The top-level pilot license for flying airplanes with more than one engine. It's what you need to fly for a major airline as captain.
Context Anchor
Seen in advanced pilot training, simulator-based recovery training, and discussions about qualifying for airline-transport flying in multiengine airplanes.
Why Pilots Care
It is the minimum certificate level required to act as pilot in command for most scheduled passenger airline operations in multiengine aircraft.
Grounding Statement
This term identifies a pilot qualification, not a maneuver, course, or kind of airplane.
Intuition Check
Do not read certificate as just the paper card a pilot carries. In FAA use, the certificate represents the pilot’s legal qualification and flying authority.
Example Sentence 1
Before her airline interview, she completed the ATP-CTP course as a required step toward earning her multiengine airplane ATP certificate.
Example Sentence 2
With a multiengine airplane ATP certificate in hand, the pilot could now apply for first officer positions at a regional airline.