The Airline Transport Pilot or ATP license is sometimes thought of as the "golden ticket" to the airlines. If your'e planning on becoming a professional airline pilot, you'll definitely need ot have your ATP license. Of course, you only need a commercial pilots license to make a living as a pilot. You can even work for one of the smaller regional airlines without your ATP license. As a matter of fact, many pilots will work there while they're gaining the hours they need to get their ATP license.

Most flight schools will be able to help you get most or all of the way to your ATP. There are also some ATP aircraft schools that have specialized programs available.

One of the most basic requirements of the ATP license is the ability to read, right, speak and understand English. You'll also need your 1st class medical certificate and be at least 23 years old. Once all that is good, you'll need the proper amount of experience or flight time.

The FAA requires 1500 hours before you can take the ATP practical exam. In additional to having 1500 hours of total flying time, 500 of them must be cross country and 75 hours of instrument time. This instrument time can be either simulated or actual aircraft time.

As I mentioned above, most regional airlines won't require an ATP license, but you may be going up against other pilots with one when you apply for a job you really want. Remember, If you have your commercial license with a multi-engine sign off on your logbook, you'll have all you need to legally fill the job.

Most of the big airlines like USAir, Delta, Southwest, etc, will require an ATP and a lot more than just 1500 hours. However, if you're willing to work for a regional, you have a great shot at getting onboard.

Another benefit of taking a job with a regional airline is the ability to work your way up to the ATP license. They'll give you with the hours and often provide for the practical exam. This puts you in a great place before you apply to one of the major airlines, who will require the ATP.

Don't stress out over the ATP exams, they're very similiar to all the others you've taken on your way to this point in your career. 80 questions on topics that relate to the Airline Transport Pilots world. You'll have spent plenty of time studying for this and it shouldn't present any problems for you.

The checkride, just like all of your other FAA exams will consist of an oral exam as well a practical exam, in a twin engine aircraft. The actual flying part will be very straight forward and should be trouble at this point in your career. The most notable difference will be how much tolerance you're given. You're expected to be exactly right on all of your maneuvers.

Continue to work, learn and gather experience. Even at the ATP level, you'll be continually reminded of the need for further education. As a pilot, you're always learning and experiencing new situations. The ATP is simply another license to learn a whole new level.