Welcome back to flying,

If you haven't taken it by now, your down, but not out. Yes there are all these new rules regarding the ATP, however. It only applies to Multiengine ATP rating. If you get a single engine ATP, it does not apply and then you simply add on the Multiengine at a later date.

I basically decided on the same, although I'm a bit older. My last attemp was a few years ago, I got hired by American Eagle and was waiting for a class date, a few weeks later I got the email that all classes have been cancelled and they started the layoff process, a friend of mine, only a month to go, was let go. After that, I decided to forgo the airline business.

Read 61.165(c). To add the ME on to an existing ATP, you'll still have to complete the CTP.

Yes you are correct, however, like the reg says, if you have been working in 121 or 135 all you need is your company training records. Currently 121 and 135 operators only want you to have your written done, once you complete their training program, you'll qualify under the regs.

That's why this reg makes no sense and all it does is put a lot of people out of work, mostly those with under 1500 hrs.

I further reviewed the reg and it only address type rating for the add on, it does not address class rating, multiengine is a class rating and not a type rating. Once you complete your training program with your company, you'll get the type rating.

So as I see it, nothing really changed, you can still take the written, as long as you go for a single engine "class rating".

The FAA created two new ATP writtens, a SE and ME written. So yes, you can walk in, take the SE written and pass a checkride and get the SE ATP. However, to "simply" adding the multi class rating later requires you to complete a CTP, pass the ME ATP written, complete whatever training you need and then pass the checkride.

61.165(c) Airplane category rating with a multiengine class rating. A person applying for an airline transport certificate with an airplane category and multiengine class rating who holds an airline transport certificate with another aircraft category rating must:

(1) Meet the eligibility requirements of §61.153 of this part;

(2) After July 31, 2014, successfully complete the airline transport pilot certification training program specified in §61.156;

(3) Pass a knowledge test for an airplane category multiengine class rating or type rating on the aeronautical knowledge areas of §61.155(c);

Looks like Sporty's is now approved to be the third place to be able to get you an ATP written. Cost $4500.

News for September 26th, 2014 | Airline Pilot Info

I'm surprised at the cost. Articles I've read on the subject were previously quoting $10,000 or more for classroom and sim time.

Aviator College is attempting to put together an ATP CTP course as evidenced by their recruiting efforts.

There are type ratings that close less than $10,000.

Those $10,000 - $15,000 price tags were thrown about by people without a clue or by people who have to say the sky is falling. As Beech90 said, you can get a B-737 for $8000.

I went through the Sporty's program and they have partnered with ABX Air to use their simulators, go through ground school, etc. So basically, one who enrolls in the program goes to Wilmington, OH for a week for ground school/sim training and for $4500 you're done.

Sporty?s ATP program approved - AOPA