Originally Posted by
Kstoves
I agree with getting an extra 500 hours not being a huge deal.
My concern would be that a 17 year old kid starting flight training could be shooting himself in the foot by delaying his ATP two years. Having 1500 hours at age 21 won’t help if you need to wait until 23 to take your test.
It sounds like getting a PPL at that age should be fine, but some thought should be given to the pros vs cons of doing training in excess of that.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you can get an R-ATP at age 21 with 1500 hours (and 200 vice 500 XC). No 141 or avaition university required.
61.153(a)(2) For an airline transport pilot certificate obtained under the aeronautical experience requirements of §61.160, be at least 21 years of age.
The relevant paragraph of 61.153 is...
(f) A person who has 1,500 hours total time as a pilot, 200 hours of cross-country flight time, and otherwise meets the aeronautical experience requirements of §61.159 may apply for an airline transport pilot certificate under this section.