So I tried to schedule the ATP written the other day and they said I have to be 21. Someone please show me exactly where in the regs this is listed? I understand that you must be 23 to hold an ATP, and since the written is generally good for two years unless I become employed at a 121 or 135 carrier, so that reasoning might lead some to believe that one must be 21 to take the written. Any thoughts? This is rediculous.

Well, I don't know where in the regs this is listed, but I'm looking at the ATP Gleim and it's written on page 11.

Yeah I know the Gelm says that, I just can't seem to find it in the regs. Oh well. Looks like I gotta wait a few more months on that one then.

§ 61.153 Eligibility requirements: General.
To be eligible for an airline transport pilot certificate, a person must:
(a) Be at least 23 years of age;


This says to be eligible for the *certificate* I don't know why you couldn't take the written portion. People do pre-solo flight training before their 16th bday all the time even though the regs say you can't solo until 16 so why would this be different?

61.35(a)(2)(iii) Date of birth, which shows the applicant meets or will meet the age requirements of this part for the certificate sought before the expiration date of the airman knowledge test report.

Yeah well it experies in 2 year so if you arent 21 then whats the point you wont even be 23 when it does so its pointless

Pay attention SAAB...you're at a 121 carrier...you should know this. If you're employed at a 121 or 135 carrier, an expired ATP written can be used for the practical. So if Pinnacle has a requirement for the ATP written at the time of the interview, and I have an interview before my 21st birthday, I'd like to be able to take the written. Hence why I asked. And no I'm not just saying that hypothetically.

GliderCFI,

To my knowledge, there are no age requirements dictated by the FAA to take the ATP written. There may be some grey area/confusion over the age 23 issue (as previously stated), however I can't find ANY requirements to be any age in order to pay the $80 and take the test.

You might print out the following FAA document to show when you schedule the test, particularly page 6. This comes straight off the FAA website and out of the examiners/inspectors manual:

http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/e...5/5_002_01.pdf

Go somwhere else to take the written. They are just giving you crap about it. My atp written is 4 years old, i had to take it for a class when i was a junior in college. but i saved it, took it to pinnacle for my interview, put it back in its case, and will take it back when i upgrade and then they get to keep it. As long as you work at a 121 carrier your atp written never expires. Just call around to some local fbo's or flight schools and ask them. I have never heard of someone not being able to take a test before.

Air support is right... once you get to a 121 its good for life. But what happens if you become a 121 FO take the written (as i just did) and then get hired by Continental or Delta without ever upgrading? Will it transfer or will you have to retake the written if you're outside the 2 year period when you change carriers?