The airline hiring boom has made a race for the cockpit that most pilots are losing by waiting. Booking an ATP-CTP and type rating combo at one West Coast training center cuts months off your timeline and gets you into the interview seat while others are still planning travel. Call Ron Kelly today to reserve your combined training slot.
An ATP-CTP and type rating combo combines ATP written exam prep with a Boeing 737 type rating in one training trip. Las Vegas Flight Academy delivers 32 hours of ground school and Level D simulator training at a single West Coast location. Completing both back-to-back eliminates travel delays and gets you to your airline interview with both credentials complete.
Wondering how combining these courses saves you money and accelerates your career? Here is what the ATP-CTP and type rating combo includes and why it works.
Why Schedule ATP-CTP and Type Rating Back-to-Back?
The path to a major airline job includes two major hurdles: the Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP) and your first jet type rating. Taking these courses one after the other at the same training center delivers clear advantages over spacing them out across different schools and timeframes.
Las Vegas Flight Academy offers both courses at one focused location in Nevada. Instead of flying to multiple training centers across different states, you complete everything in a single trip. You stay in one hotel and train with the same instructor team from start to finish. This continuity of environment and instruction creates a learning experience that fragmented training cannot match.
Save time on travel and hotel stays
Back-to-back training cuts your travel time in half. You plan one flight, one rental car, and one set of accommodations instead of two separate trips. This single-trip model fits far better into a busy schedule. It is easier to request one block of time off from your current flying job than to take two separate leaves from work or family.
Lower your total training costs
Grouping your training reduces the hidden costs of aviation career advancement. You save on round-trip airfare, rental car fees, and duplicate hotel stays. A longer single stay in Las Vegas also gives you leverage to negotiate better weekly rates on accommodations.
Keep your mind in the cockpit
Training continuity matters. A gap between courses allows skills to erode. Staying in study mode for two consecutive weeks keeps your knowledge fresh as you move directly from ATP-CTP ground school into B737 simulator sessions. By the time your checkride arrives, the 737 cockpit environment feels familiar and natural.
| Factor | Separate Courses | ATP-CTP and Type Rating Combo at LVFA |
|---|---|---|
| Total trips | Two or more. | One trip to Las Vegas. |
| Training timeline | 4-8 weeks split across two sites. | 2-3 weeks at one location. |
| Travel costs | Double airfare, rental cars, hotels. | Single flight, one hotel stay. |
| Skill retention | Gap between courses causes rust. | Continuous learning flow. |
| Time off work | Two separate requests. | One combined leave request. |
| Instructor consistency | Different staff at each center. | Same team throughout. |
Understanding the ATP-CTP Course at Las Vegas Flight Academy
The ATP-CTP course is the prerequisite for the ATP written exam required before any pilot can serve as an airline captain. LVFA delivers this course under FAA Part 142 approval, which means the curriculum meets the highest regulatory standards.
What to expect in ground school
The ground school portion spans 32 hours of instruction covering advanced aerodynamics, weather patterns, crew resource management, and airline operations. Instructors use real-world scenarios drawn from airline flying to make the material directly applicable to your upcoming career. The curriculum covers everything from high-altitude operations to transport aircraft performance calculations, giving you the foundational knowledge you need before entering the cockpit for type rating training.
Training in Level D simulators
LVFA operates a Level D full flight simulator, the highest classification available. Level D simulators provide six degrees of motion, 180-degree visual displays, and realistic flight dynamics that replicate the actual B737-800. Training in a Level D device counts toward type rating requirements and gives you hands-on experience with real airline procedures before you step into an actual cockpit.
Course cost and entry rules
Pricing for the ATP-CTP course at LVFA is $3,950. To enroll, you must hold a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating. Pilots with qualifying military experience under FAR 61.73 or a foreign ATP or commercial license with instrument privileges may also qualify. All participants must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.
The Part 142 structure at LVFA means your training follows an FAA-approved syllabus that cannot be altered for individual students. Every pilot receives the same high-quality instruction regardless of experience level, ensuring consistent results across the program.
The B737-800 Type Rating Program at LVFA
Adding a B737 type rating immediately after ATP-CTP makes you a substantially stronger candidate at regional and major airlines. Carriers actively seek pilots who arrive with a completed type rating because it reduces their training investment by weeks and accelerates your path to the line as a first officer.
Two full-motion Level D simulator sessions
The B737-800 type rating program at LVFA includes two dedicated full-motion simulator sessions in the school’s Level D device. Each session builds on the previous one, progressing from basic aircraft systems knowledge through normal procedures, abnormal operations, and emergency scenarios. The focused two-day structure ensures you develop muscle memory and procedural flow that carries directly into the checkride environment.
Training in a Level D simulator for your type rating checkride provides the closest possible experience to flying the actual aircraft, which is why the FAA allows it to satisfy all training and testing requirements for the type rating.
Training designed for career stages
Whether you are transitioning from general aviation, moving from a military background, or adding a second type rating, the program adjusts to your experience level. The same FAA-approved curriculum applies to all candidates under Part 142 rules, but instructors emphasize areas where individual students need the most development. Low-time commercial pilots spend more time on basic jet handling, while experienced military pilots focus on civilian procedures and 737-specific systems.
The type rating advantage
Airlines operate on thin margins and tight schedules. A pilot who shows up with a completed B737 type rating saves the carrier weeks of simulator time and tens of thousands of dollars in training costs. This makes you more attractive during hiring and can influence your seniority date, class assignment, and base location.
What Does the Combined Training Timeline Look Like?
- Days 1-6: Complete the full ATP-CTP course including 32 hours of ground school, the ATP written exam preparation, and initial simulator exposure.
- Days 7-8: Transition into B737-800 type rating ground school covering aircraft systems, limitations, normal and abnormal procedures.
- Days 9-10: Two full-motion Level D simulator sessions with a designated pilot examiner, culminating in the type rating checkride.
- Total duration: 10 days from start to finish for most pilots, with scheduling flexibility based on examiner availability.
The condensed timeline works because LVFA holds both FAA approvals under one roof and schedules your courses back-to-back by default. You do not need to coordinate between two separate schools, wait for one course to end before applying to another, or deal with scheduling gaps.
How the Combo Speeds Up Your Airline Career Path
Every month you wait to complete these credentials is a month of lost seniority, missed class dates, and forgone first-year earnings at a regional or major carrier. The hiring window at most airlines remains active, but it will not stay open indefinitely.
Complete your ATP requirements faster
Finishing ATP-CTP is the gatekeeping step for the ATP certificate. Without it, you cannot take the ATP knowledge test or qualify for captain positions at any airline. Completing this requirement early removes the most common bottleneck in a commercial pilot’s career progression and signals to hiring boards that you are serious about advancing.
Stand out with a B737 type rating
Less than half of new-hire applicants arrive at interviews with a completed type rating already on their license. Having yours finished before the interview demonstrates initiative, financial commitment, and readiness to start line training immediately. These factors weigh heavily in hiring decisions at both regional carriers and major airlines that prioritize candidates who have already invested in their own training.
Trim months off your timeline
The combined approach compresses what typically takes 4-8 weeks into a focused 10-day program. For West Coast pilots, the single-location model eliminates the hidden delays of coordinating between training centers in different states. Reviewing a commercial pilot to ATP timeline helps you visualize how much faster this path moves compared to piecemeal training.
Contact Ron Kelly to discuss how the ATP-CTP and type rating combo fits into your specific career timeline.
Why Las Vegas Is the Ideal West Coast Training Hub
The training location matters as much as the curriculum. Las Vegas offers unique advantages for pilots pursuing intensive multi-week training programs.
Easy access for pilots nationwide
McCarran International Airport (LAS) serves major hubs across the United States and offers direct flights from most West Coast cities, Pacific Rim destinations, and major east coast markets. The training center at 1771 Whitney Mesa Drive in Henderson is a short drive from the airport with abundant nearby hotel accommodations.
Reliable year-round weather
Las Vegas averages more than 300 sunny days per year. Unlike training centers in the Midwest or Northeast, weather cancellations are virtually nonexistent. This reliability keeps your training schedule on track and avoids the delays that plague schools in winter climates.
Affordable travel and housing
Las Vegas hotel rates remain among the most competitive in the United States, especially for extended stays. Combined with low airfare from most markets. The total travel cost for a 10-day training trip is significantly lower than similar trips to training centers in higher-cost metropolitan areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do ATP-CTP and a type rating at the same time?
Yes. You schedule both courses back-to-back at Las Vegas Flight Academy, completing everything in a single trip. This approach lets you earn your ATP-CTP and B737 type rating without coordinating between separate schools or taking multiple trips.
How long does a combined ATP-CTP and type rating course take?
Most pilots complete the full combination in approximately 10 days. The ATP-CTP portion takes six days, followed by B737-800 type rating training and the checkride. Total duration depends on examiner availability and individual scheduling preferences.
What are the prerequisites for the ATP-CTP and type rating combo?
You need a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating. Qualifying military experience under FAR 61.73 or a foreign ATP or commercial license with instrument privileges may also satisfy the requirement. You must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.
Is an FAA medical required for the ATP-CTP course?
An FAA medical certificate is not required to take the ATP-CTP course at a Part 142 school. You will need a current medical when you take the practical test for the ATP certificate. It is advisable to have your medical in order before completing your training so you are ready to start an airline job immediately after checkride.
What are the benefits of a Boeing 737 type rating combo?
A B737 type rating makes you significantly more competitive in airline hiring. It demonstrates commitment, reduces the airline’s training investment, and positions you for earlier class dates. Completing it alongside ATP-CTP in a single trip also saves thousands of dollars in travel and lodging costs compared to separate courses.
Ready to book your ATP-CTP and Type Rating combo?
Every week you delay your training is a week of lost seniority and missed earning potential at the airlines. The hiring window remains active, but competition is fierce. Booking your courses back-to-back at LVFA gets you both credentials in a single focused trip to Las Vegas, saving time, money, and logistical hassle.
Taking this step today puts you ahead of pilots who are still planning separate trips to multiple training centers. Call Ron Kelly at 818-489-1738 to reserve your combined training slot and accelerate your path to the airline flight deck.