You already know you need the ATP CTP to take the FAA Airline Transport Pilot written exam. The real question is whether you are ready to enroll today. This checklist walks you through every requirement, document, and preparation step so you can confirm your eligibility and show up on day one fully prepared.
Key Takeaways
- You need a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating (or qualifying military/foreign credentials) to enroll in the ATP CTP.
- There is no minimum flight hour requirement specifically for the ATP CTP course itself, but you will need 1,500 total hours (or a reduced minimum under the restricted ATP pathway) to eventually earn your ATP certificate.
- The ATP CTP completion certificate does not expire, so you can complete the course well before you reach your ATP hour minimums.
- International students can enroll with the right visa status and TSA documentation.
- No pre-study materials are required before your first day of class.
Your ATP CTP Eligibility Checklist
Before you reserve your training dates, confirm that you meet every item on this list. Each requirement comes directly from FAA regulations under 14 CFR Part 61, Section 61.156.
Pilot Certificate Requirement
You must hold at least one of the following:
- A commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating. This is the most common pathway. If you earned your commercial certificate and instrument rating through a Part 61, Part 141, or Part 142 training program, you qualify.
- Military pilot experience under 14 CFR 61.73. If you are a rated or formerly rated military pilot of the U.S. Armed Forces who meets the requirements to qualify for a commercial pilot certificate and instrument rating, you are eligible.
- A foreign airline transport pilot license with instrument privileges, or a foreign commercial pilot license with an instrument rating, issued by a contracting state of the Convention on International Civil Aviation with no geographic limitations.
Checklist item: ☐ I hold one of the qualifying certificates or licenses listed above.
English Language Proficiency
The FAA requires that every ATP CTP student can read, write, speak, and understand the English language. All ground school instruction, simulator briefings, and course materials are delivered in English.
Checklist item: ☐ I meet the FAA English language proficiency requirement.
Flight Hour Status (Know Where You Stand)
Here is an important distinction that trips up many pilots: the ATP CTP course itself has no minimum flight hour requirement. You do not need 1,500 hours to enroll.
However, you will need to meet one of these hour thresholds when you eventually apply for the ATP certificate:
| ATP Pathway | Total Flight Hours Required | Who Qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Standard ATP | 1,500 hours | All eligible pilots |
| Restricted ATP (Military) | 750 hours | U.S. military pilots meeting 14 CFR 61.160 |
| Restricted ATP (Part 141 Bachelor’s) | 1,000 hours | Graduates of approved Part 141 programs with a bachelor’s degree |
| Restricted ATP (Part 141 Associate’s) | 1,250 hours | Graduates of approved Part 141 programs with an associate’s degree |
Since the ATP CTP completion certificate never expires, many pilots complete the course early in their career and take the ATP written exam while continuing to build hours. This is a smart strategy because it removes one requirement from your timeline.
For a deeper look at the restricted ATP requirements, we have a dedicated guide.
Checklist item: ☐ I know which ATP pathway applies to me and how many hours I currently have logged.
Documents You Need to Gather Before Enrollment
Showing up on day one with the right paperwork prevents delays. Here is what to prepare:
Required Documents
- Pilot certificate. Bring your current FAA commercial pilot certificate (or qualifying foreign/military credential).
- Government-issued photo ID. A valid driver’s license or passport is required for identity verification.
- Medical certificate. While a current medical is not strictly required to sit in the simulator during ATP CTP training, you will need at least a first-class medical certificate when you apply for the ATP certificate. Getting your medical handled before enrollment is recommended.
- Logbook or flight hour records. Your logbook is not required for ATP CTP enrollment, but having your hours documented helps you and your training team assess your timeline to ATP certification.
For International Students
International pilots have additional documentation requirements:
- Valid visa status. You can enroll on a B1/B2 visa, ESTA waiver, or a current F-1/M-1 student visa with TSA approval.
- TSA documentation. Non-U.S. citizens must obtain TSA authorization before beginning flight simulator training at an FAA Part 142 center.
- Passport. A valid passport matching your visa documentation.
Las Vegas Flight Academy is SEVP-certified by the Department of Homeland Security, which means the academy can issue I-20 forms for M-1 student visa applicants. If you need guidance on the international student process, call Ron Kelly directly at 818-489-1738.
Checklist items:
☐ I have my pilot certificate ready to present.
☐ I have a valid government-issued photo ID.
☐ I have addressed my medical certificate status.
☐ (International students) I have the proper visa and TSA documentation.
What the ATP CTP Course Covers
Understanding what happens during the course helps you set the right expectations. The ATP CTP at Las Vegas Flight Academy is a 6-day program that includes:
- 32 hours of ground school covering aerodynamics, meteorology, air carrier operations, crew resource management, and high-altitude flight
- 4 hours in a fixed-base simulator for foundational instrument and procedural training
- 6 hours in a Level D full-flight simulator using Boeing 737-800 equipment for realistic airline scenario training
The entire program is conducted at Las Vegas Flight Academy’s 40,000-square-foot FAA Part 142 facility in Henderson, Nevada. Training uses Boeing 737-800 Level D full-flight simulators, the highest fidelity simulators available.
Important: The ATP CTP is not a preparatory course for the FAA ATP written exam. You will need to use a separate online study program to prepare for the written test after completing the course.
For a detailed day-by-day look at the training, read our guide on what happens inside the 6-day ATP CTP course.
Checklist item: ☐ I understand that ATP CTP is a 6-day simulator and classroom course, not a written exam prep course.
Budgeting for Your ATP CTP
The ATP CTP course at Las Vegas Flight Academy costs $3,950. This is an all-inclusive price that covers ground school, simulator time, course materials, and your ATP CTP completion certificate.
Beyond tuition, budget for these additional costs:
- Travel to Las Vegas. The academy is located in Henderson, Nevada, just minutes from Harry Reid International Airport.
- Lodging for 6 nights. Las Vegas has a wide range of hotel options at every price point.
- Meals and local transportation. Plan for about a week of living expenses.
- ATP written exam fee. After completing the course, you will pay the FAA testing center fee separately when you take the written exam.
Checklist item: ☐ I have budgeted for tuition, travel, lodging, and related expenses.
Pre-Course Preparation: What You Do (and Do Not) Need
One of the most common questions pilots ask is what they should study before arriving. The answer is straightforward: no pre-study is required. All course materials are provided on day one, and the ground school curriculum starts from foundational concepts.
That said, here are a few things that will help you get the most out of your training:
- Review your instrument procedures. You will be flying approaches and procedures in the simulator, so brushing up on ILS, VOR, and RNAV procedures keeps you sharp.
- Familiarize yourself with CRM concepts. Crew resource management is a significant portion of the curriculum. If you have been flying single-pilot operations, reading about CRM basics beforehand is helpful.
- Get current on your logbook entries. Having your flight hours accurately tallied saves time when discussing your ATP timeline with instructors.
- Rest and arrive prepared. Six days of intensive training demands focus. Arrive well-rested and ready to absorb a large volume of material.
Checklist item: ☐ I know that no formal pre-study is required, but I have a plan to arrive prepared.
What Happens After You Complete the ATP CTP
Completing the course is a milestone, but it is one step in a larger process. Here is your post-course roadmap:
- Receive your ATP CTP completion certificate. This certificate does not expire and is required to sit for the FAA ATP written exam.
- Prepare for and pass the FAA ATP written exam (ATM). Use a dedicated study program. The ATP CTP does not cover written exam content.
- Continue building flight hours if you have not yet reached the minimum for your ATP pathway.
- Obtain a first-class medical certificate if you have not already.
- Complete the ATP practical test (checkride) once you meet all hour requirements and have passed the written exam.
- Consider a type rating. Many pilots who complete the ATP CTP at Las Vegas Flight Academy return for a Boeing 737 type rating, which is the next credential airlines look for.
Why Pilots Choose Las Vegas Flight Academy for ATP CTP
Las Vegas Flight Academy is one of the only FAA Part 142 ATP CTP providers on the West Coast. Here is what that means for your training experience:
- FAA Part 142 certification (Certificate LVAX430K) means direct FAA oversight of curriculum, instructors, and training standards.
- Level D full-flight simulators provide the highest fidelity training experience available. You train on Boeing 737-800 equipment used by airlines worldwide.
- Instructors averaging 20,000+ flight hours bring real-world airline experience into every lesson.
- A focused, single-location operation in Henderson, Nevada means your training schedule stays on track without the disruptions common at multi-site training chains.
- West Coast convenience eliminates cross-country travel for pilots based in California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, and other western states.
- Transparent pricing at $3,950 with no hidden fees or surprise costs.
Your Complete ATP CTP Pre-Enrollment Checklist
Use this final checklist to confirm you are ready to enroll:
☐ I hold a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating (or qualifying military/foreign credential).
☐ I meet the FAA English language proficiency requirement.
☐ I know which ATP hour pathway applies to me and my current hour total.
☐ I have my pilot certificate and government-issued photo ID ready.
☐ I have addressed my medical certificate status.
☐ (International students) I have proper visa status and TSA documentation.
☐ I understand the ATP CTP is a 6-day simulator and classroom course.
☐ I have budgeted $3,950 for tuition plus travel and lodging expenses.
☐ I have reviewed the post-course steps (written exam, hours, checkride).
If every box is checked, you are ready to reserve your training dates.
Call Ron Kelly at 818-489-1738 to discuss scheduling and get your questions answered. You can also visit the ATP CTP course page for full program details or contact us online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for ATP CTP enrollment?
You need a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating (or qualifying military or foreign credentials) and must meet the FAA English language proficiency requirement. There is no minimum flight hour requirement for the course itself.
How many flight hours do I need for the ATP CTP?
The ATP CTP course has no flight hour minimum. However, you will need 1,500 total hours (or a reduced minimum of 750 to 1,250 hours under restricted ATP pathways) to earn the ATP certificate after completing the course.
Does the ATP CTP completion certificate expire?
No. The ATP CTP completion certificate issued after you finish the course does not have an expiration date. You can take the FAA ATP written exam whenever you are ready.
Can international students take the ATP CTP in the United States?
Yes. International students can enroll with a B1/B2 visa, ESTA waiver, or F-1/M-1 student visa with TSA approval. Las Vegas Flight Academy is SEVP-certified and can issue I-20 forms for M-1 visa applicants.
Do I need to study before attending the ATP CTP course?
No formal pre-study is required. All materials are provided on day one. However, reviewing instrument procedures and crew resource management concepts can help you get more from the training.
Is the ATP CTP the same as ATP written exam prep?
No. The ATP CTP is an FAA-mandated training course that includes ground school and simulator time. It is not a study course for the FAA ATP written exam. You will need separate preparation materials for the written test.