Regulation Text
(a) Privileges. (1) A person who holds an airline transport pilot certificate is entitled to the same privileges as a person who holds a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating.
(2) A person who holds an airline transport pilot certificate and has met the aeronautical experience requirements of § 61.159, 61.161, or 61.163, and the age requirements of § 61.153(a)(1) may instruct—
(i) Other pilots in air transportation service in aircraft of the category, class, and type, as applicable, for which the airline transport pilot is rated and endorse the logbook or other training record of the person to whom training has been given;
(ii) In flight simulators, and flight training devices representing the aircraft referenced in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section, when instructing under the provisions of this section and endorse the logbook or other training record of the person to whom training has been given;
(iii) Only as provided in this section, except that an airline transport pilot who also holds a flight instructor certificate can exercise the instructor privileges under subpart H of this part for which he or she is rated; and
(iv) In an aircraft, only if the aircraft has functioning dual controls, when instructing under the provisions of this section.
(3) Excluding briefings and debriefings, an airline transport pilot may not instruct in aircraft, flight simulators, and flight training devices under this section—
(i) For more than 8 hours in any 24-consecutive-hour period; or
(ii) For more than 36 hours in any 7-consecutive-day period.
(4) An airline transport pilot may not instruct in Category II or Category III operations unless he or she has been trained and successfully tested under Category II or Category III operations, as applicable.
(b) Limitations. A person who holds an airline transport pilot certificate and has not satisfied the age requirement of § 61.153(a)(1) and the aeronautical experience requirements of § 61.159 may not:
(1) Act as pilot in command in operations conducted under part 121, § 91.1053(a)(2)(i), or § 135.243(a)(1) of this chapter, or
(2) Serve as second in command in flag or supplemental operations in part 121 of this chapter requiring three or more pilots.
Research Notes
Regulatory Cross-References
§ 61.167 provides a military competency pathway to the ATP certificate. Military pilots or former military pilots who have logged at least 750 hours of military flight time may take the ATP practical test without completing all the aeronautical experience requirements of § 61.159. The examiner evaluates their military experience as equivalent to or exceeding the civilian training pathway.
Military Competency Examination
Under the military competency pathway, the applicant takes an abbreviated practical test that focuses on FAA-specific differences (civilian ATC phraseology, civilian airspace, FAA regulations vs. military flight regulations). The full ATP practical test tasks are waived for tasks the applicant can demonstrate competence in based on military experience.
Records Verification
Military pilots must have their service records verified by the appropriate military branch before presenting for the ATP military competency examination. The FAA's Civil Aviation Registry in Oklahoma City manages this process. Processing time varies and can take several months — begin verification well before the target checkride date.
Key Authorities
Amendment History
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AOA Notes
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CFI Commentary
Highlighted phrases in the regulation text above link to instructor notes at the bottom of this page. Look for the amber or blue highlights — each one flags a gotcha or a pro tip worth knowing.