Getting to a restricted ATP for airline hiring or a normal ATP. Best path
I already have my degree and a private pilots license.
I have 3 options…
1) Keep working towards my CFI at a local flight school, paying out of pocket and then instructing until I have 1500 hours.
2) There's a 2 year state college 2 hours north that offers a AS degree in aviation that is accredited for the restricted ATP. I could do the remaining aviation course work via distance, but would have to drive up once a week for the flying. I could get a restricted ATP at 1250 having done this program.
3) There's an in-town for profit college that offers a 4yr accredited aviaton degree. Once I hit 1000 hours, I could earn a restricted ATP after completing that program and instructing. The program is well over $100k though.
What's my best path you think? I feel like the cheapest would be to just earn my ratings through a local flight school and then instructing until I reach 1500 hours. Thoughts?
Since you already have your PPL, you are probably ineligible for the restricted ATPL because the rules require you to be enrolled in a Part 141 flight training program from start to finish, including the private, instrument, multiengine and commercial pilot training. If you did not complete your PPL under a Part 141 program, you'd have to do it all over again from scratch under Part 141, and at full cost. Financially that wouldn't be very sensible, so you're going to have to go all the way to 1500 hours in order to qualify for the ATPL. Even if you got your PPL at a Part 141 qualified school, your training may have been conducted under Part 61, in which case you still wouldn't qualify for the Restricted ATPL program. Therefore, keep working toward your CFI at your local flight school unless you've been under Part 141 the whole way so far.
p.s. One thing ANY pilot is required to know is how and where to look up the regulations pertinent to the certificates and ratings they hold or seek. It appears that you've dropped the ball on investigating the Restricted ATPL eligibility requirements.
If you're willing to wait for the next 10-15 years, then it's a good thing to build all your time as a CFI. Of course, an airline won't even look at your resume if the only airplanes you have in your logbook are single piston engine Pipers and Cessnas. You need multi-engine and turbine time, and you're not going to get that from playing CFI at your local airport.
I would say ask your flight school and don't rely on the answers you get on here, additionally ask a real commercial pilot
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