A flight simulator with its instructor station

Guide · After the license

What comes after your CPL.

The commercial license is a big step, but not the last one before a seat in an airliner. Here is what usually comes next, what the rules ask for, and how the hours for the airline transport license add up.

Last checked November 20265 min read

1,500 h For the airline transport license, airplane
MCC The multi-crew course before most airliner type ratings
21 Minimum age for the airline transport license, 23 under the FAA
8 Partner programs that include an instructor rating

A license is not a job. No school, agency or website can promise you a pilot job, and we do not. Be careful with anyone who does.

01 After your license

The building blocks

These are the steps between a fresh commercial license and the airline transport license. Their order depends on the system and on the operator.

License and instrument rating. Your commercial license, usually with a multi-engine instrument rating.
Multi-crew course (MCC). Flying as one of two pilots in a crew, in a simulator.
Type rating. The rating for one specific airliner type.
Build your hours. Flight time towards the 1,500 hours.
Airline transport license. Issued once you meet the hours and the other requirements.

02 After your license

The multi-crew course

EASA

The MCC trains you to work as one of two pilots. It has at least 25 hours of theory and 20 hours of practical training, or 15 hours in an integrated ATP course. Before your first type rating course on a multi-pilot airplane you need the MCC certificate and at least 70 hours as pilot in command.
CASA

An approved MCC course is required for the Australian airline transport license.
FAA

Before the knowledge test for the airline transport certificate on multi-engine airplanes, you complete the ATP Certification Training Program: at least 30 hours in the classroom and 10 hours in a simulator, 6 of them in a full flight simulator.

03 After your license

Type ratings

Every airliner type needs its own type rating, for example the A320 or the 737 families. Under the FAA, every airplane over 12,500 pounds and every jet needs one. A type rating is a course of its own, with theory, simulator training and a skill test.

Before you pay for a type rating yourself, talk to an advisor about whether it fits your plans.

04 After your license

The 1,500 hours

The airline transport license for airplanes in the four systems.
System	Minimum flight time	Minimum age	Good to know
EASA (Europe)	1,500 hours	21	Many pilots finish training with all ATPL theory exams passed
FAA (USA)	1,500 hours; a restricted ATP from 750 hours (military), 1,000 hours (bachelor's degree with an aviation major) or 1,250 hours (associate degree with an aviation major)	23, or 21 for a restricted ATP	ATP Certification Training Program before the knowledge test
CASA (Australia)	1,500 hours	21	Approved MCC course required
CAA NZ (New Zealand)	1,500 hours	21

Under EASA, many pilots finish training with a commercial license and all ATPL theory exams passed. This is often called a "frozen ATPL": the airline transport license is issued once the hours and the other requirements are met.

05 After your license

Building hours as an instructor

One way to build hours is to teach.

FAA flight instructor (CFI).

You need to be at least 18 and hold a commercial pilot certificate, and for airplanes an instrument rating.
EASA flight instructor (FI).

An extra rating with its own course and prerequisites. Ask the school what it requires before you enroll.

06 After your license

Programs that already include it

Some of our partner programs already include an instructor rating or a multi-crew course.

07 After your license

Careful with promises

Be careful with offers that promise a job, an interview or a seat after a paid course. Ask who makes the promise, whether it is in writing, and what happens if it does not work out.

Meet Avi & Friends: why there are no shortcuts to the cockpit

08 7 questions

Questions after the license

What is a frozen ATPL?

A commercial license with all ATPL theory exams passed. The airline transport license itself is issued once you have 1,500 hours and meet the other requirements.

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Do I need an MCC course after my CPL?

Under EASA, yes, before your first type rating course on a multi-pilot airplane. In Australia, an approved MCC course is required for the airline transport license.

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What is a restricted ATP?

An FAA airline transport certificate with fewer hours for some applicants: 750 hours for military pilots, 1,000 hours with a bachelor's degree with an aviation major, and 1,250 hours with an associate degree with an aviation major. The minimum age is 21.

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Is a type rating part of my training?

Only if your program says so. The list above shows what our partner programs include.

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Can I become a flight instructor right after my license?

Under the FAA, yes, once you hold a commercial pilot certificate, an instrument rating for airplanes and pass the instructor tests. Under EASA, the FI rating has its own prerequisites; ask your school.

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