FAA Pilot Qualification Standards

[UncleRuss]

Greetings flying folk.

I continue delving into the mountain of information there is here ( thanks to you all) in order to try and find the right US flight school for my just turned 17 year old niece from Colombia to go to, and go from zero to hero, to then begin her career.

But, I just found an FAA ruling from 2013 (see below).

As I understand it (and please correct me if I am wrong), my niece could start to learn now at 17, study well at a flight school, and get her MEI, then could accrue the required 1500 hours as an Instructor, doing so by, let's say, 19 years old. BUT then still have to wait till she's 21 to get her FAA ATP cert. Or else do a 2 year degree with aviation major in between ? Kind of slows her down and kills the advantage she has of being young and smart.

Does anyone think that it would it be better then that she returns to Colombia and perhaps flies for say Avianca, till she's old enough to get her FAA ATP at 21 ?

I think the rules on age here in So.America are (as yet) more relaxed. And I also read that most US airlines don't care what degree someone has. Yet it seems like the FAA does !

Appreciate your wisdom/comments and opinions on the matter. Thanks !


The info I found ...

https://www.faa.gov/news/press_relea...m?newsId=14838

Basically it says that to fly as "a second in command he/she must hold an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate which requires that a pilot be 23 years of age and have 1,500 hours total time as a pilot. Pilots with fewer than 1,500 flight hours may qualify for a restricted privileges ATP cert at 21 y.o. if they are (1) a military-trained pilot, or (2) have a bachelor's degree with an aviation major, or (3) have an associate's degree with an aviation major. The restricted privileges ATP Certificate will also be available to pilots with 1,500 flight hours who are at least 21."

So working in the USA would be out.

[B2N2]

Correct me if I'm wrong but 17 plus a 4 year degree equals 21.
Plenty of universities where she can learn and fly at the same time.

[Transsonic2000]

So working in the USA would be out

In terms of being hired by a US airline one must have the legal right to live and work in the States. For a none US citizen this basically means having the Green-card! And in light of the new Trump administration I guess this will be increasingly difficult.

my niece could start to learn now at 17, study well at a flight school, and get her MEI, then could accrue the required 1500 hours as an Instructor, doing so by, let's say, 19 years old. BUT then still have to wait till she's 21 to get her FAA ATP cert.

I believe the maximum visa time limit for flight training (including work permit as an instructor) is 24 month - but that might have changed meanwhile. Besides, the 1500hr requirement doesn't mean total time, 500hr must be cross-country time (> 50 NM one way distance according to FAA rules) and that's the tough part, since as a CFI you don't get that much cross-country time. There are quite some CFIs out there who heave well beyond 1500hr but still don't qualify for the ATP, since they are lacking the 500hr x/c time. See link below - Part 61.159 (a) (1) Aeronautical Experience:

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-id...se14.2.61_1159


PS.: this ATP requirement, to be hired as a FO (First Officer) by an airline is a US/FAA specific requirement. In other countries, usually a CPL/IR is sufficient to get a job as a pilot.

[B2N2]

Going to a 'real' University with an Aviation programme will get you an F1 visa which should be good for the duration of your studies.
Including working as an instructor at the same University.

[raysalmon]

Actually he is correct on the age thing. At my last employer, we issued several restricted ATPs on the basis of age alone. It is done under 61.160(f).

[Transsonic2000]

Thanks for pointing that out. Looks like some kind of pilot "shortage" is looming for US Reginoals since the introduction of the new ATP "requirements" in Aug 2014. Curious what the future will bring.

[crablab]

Oh yeah but this has been pointed out numerous times by the airline industry and it has all fallen on deaf ears!