Restricted Air Transport Pilot (R-ATP) Certificate | School of Aviation | SIU

The Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with Restricted Privileges (R-ATP) is a pilot certificate required by the FAA for a pilot to act as a First Officer (Second-in-command) pilot at a Part 121 airline. Specific details can be found in Federal Aviation Regulations 61.159 and 61.160.

SIU graduates may qualify for a 1,000- or 1,250-flight hour R-ATP, reducing their time to a Part 121 carrier by 500 or 250 total flight hours.

Yes, SIU is an FAA authorized institution that may issue an R-ATP Certifying Statement.

An R-ATP Certifying Statement is the document used to prove someone graduated from an R-ATP authorized institution and qualifies for a reduced flight hours R-ATP Pilot Certificate under FAR 61.160. The Certifying Statement is a physical document presented to the examiner at the R-ATP checkride.

To qualify for a R-ATP Certifying Statement from SIU, students must:

1. Complete their instrument and commercial pilot training at SIU (AF 203, 204, 206A, 206B, and 207A flight courses),
2. Graduate with the SIU Aviation Management (AVM) or Aviation Technologies (AVT)* bachelor’s degree, and
3. Successfully complete 60** college credit hours from the R-ATP approved courses list.

* A graduate completing only the Aviation Flight (AF) associate degree may qualify for the 1,250-flight hour R-ATP Certifying Statement

** An AVM or AVT graduate who earned less than 60, but at least 30, college credit hours from the R-ATP approved courses list may qualify for the 1,250-flight hour R-ATP Certifying Statement.

B.S. in Aviation Management (AVM)

B.S. in Aviation Technologies (AVT)

Check out our list of approved courses to see which ones will help you qualify for the R-ATP.

If you completed coursework at another FAA R-ATP authorized institution, you may be able to receive some credit for prior coursework.

Insert form here when available!

Send an email to bryanth@siu.edu with the following information:

• FAA Certificate Number
• SIU Dawg Tag Number
• Mailing address you would like the certificate mailed to

You may apply as soon as you graduate with the AF, AVM, or AVT degree. You do not need to meet the hour requirements of the R-ATP to apply for your Certifying Statement.

You should apply within 3 years of graduation.

While each request for a R-ATP Certifying Statement is reviewed on an individual basis, SIU generally only issues the Certifying Statement to students who have graduated in the previous 3 years.

Upon receiving a completed R-ATP application, a School of Aviation representative will audit the applicant’s training records to ensure FAR Part 141 compliance. If the applicant qualifies, a Certifying Statement will be created and signed by the Director of the School of Aviation and mailed to the applicant.

You must complete your Instrument (AF 206A/206B) and Commercial (AF 203/204/207A) pilot training at SIU.

Email Bryan Harrison at bryanth@siu.edu.