ATP Minimums Question...
 

I'm new to looking at getting the ATP license, and looking toward the regionals, did some searching here but couldn't really find the answer I'm looking for.

CFR 61.159 says you need 500 hours of cross country ((1) 500 hours of cross-country flight time). But in other articles I read, they say 200 hours of cross country to qualify. I assume CFR 61.159 is correct, but why the discrepancy in what hours are required?

Does it have to do with being and SIC for a regional as opposed to a captain?

Thanks for your help.

ATP Minimums Question...
 

200 hours are for the Restricted ATP


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There's a restricted ATP and then the old regular ATP. You need the regular old ATP to be a captain.

Thanks. That's another thing I've been trying to understand, the difference between 'restricted' and 'regular' ATP. As someone just building hours the 'normal' way, i.e., doing part 61, getting the ratings over time, etc, is that restricted or regular? If someone could explain that in a little detail it would be appreciated.

I did find this:

What is the difference between a restricted ATP and an unrestricted ATP?
An unrestricted ATP is required prior to operating as Pilot in Command under 14 CFR Part 121. Crewmembers may serve as Second in Command under 14 CFR Part 121 with a restricted ATP. A restricted ATP requires less flight hours than an unrestricted ATP and is attainable at 21 years of age versus 23 years of age for an unrestricted ATP.

So is this saying that I can apply to a regional with only 200 hours of cross country if I am going to be a FO/SIC?

Ok. Posted my second post above while you were posting this. So as asked above, if I'm looking to be hired as an FO/SIC, then I would need 1500 total hours and only 200 cross country?

This is correct. You'll get the rest of the 300 hours of cross country while flying at a regional and you'll be able to get the unrestricted ATP before you are captain.

Thanks for the info!

There are actually six different ways to get a ATP rating. This page lays them all out nicely:

https://captainslog.aero/2014/restricted-atp-minimums/

You'd know if you had the R-ATP. Basically, you need to graduate from an FAA approved Part-141 college program to get it. You can also get it by getting your ratings through military flight training.

There is actually one other way, and that is why I posted the link above. It sounds like the OP may actually fall into the 61.160(f) category, not sure though.