Originally Posted by galaxy flyer
Flyboyike
Not necessarily true, at least in years past, the FAA would issue you the ATPL before your 23rd birthday, you just could not excercise the privileges until the 23rd birthday. That was many years ago, not sure about the present.
GF
You're close. What they do now is (upon succesful completion of the ATP checkride) issue what they call an LAC (Letter of Aeronautical Competency), which essentially says that but for the age thing, you'd be an ATP. The minute the person turns 23 they go to their local FSDO, show the letter and get their temporary certificate, the permanent to follow in a few weeks.