ATP Subpart Applicability

FAR 61.151 ATP Subpart Applicability

FAR 61.151 sets the scope of Subpart G, covering Airline Transport Pilot certificate requirements, when ATPs are required, and operating rules.

In Plain English

FAR 61.151 is the opening section of Subpart G of Part 61 — the subpart that governs Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificates and ratings. It doesn't impose a specific operational requirement on you as a pilot; instead, it tells you what the rest of the subpart is about and where to look.

Specifically, this subpart prescribes:

  • The requirements for issuance of ATP certificates and ratings (eligibility, aeronautical experience, knowledge, and skill standards).
  • The conditions under which an ATP certificate or rating is necessary (for example, when acting as PIC in certain Part 121 or Part 135 operations).
  • The general operating rules that apply to people who hold an ATP certificate or rating.

Why it matters operationally: As you progress toward airline or high-end charter flying, Subpart G is the rulebook that defines how you qualify for the ATP, when you must hold one, and how you must operate once you do. Section 61.151 simply frames that scope so you know which subpart to reference.

Regulation Text
14 CFR § 61.151
§ 61.151 Applicability. This subpart prescribes the requirements for the issuance of airline transport pilot certificates and ratings, the conditions under which those certificates and ratings are necessary, and the general operating rules for persons who hold those certificates and ratings.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What does Subpart G of Part 61 cover, and where is its scope defined?
Per FAR 61.151, Subpart G prescribes the requirements for issuing ATP certificates and ratings, the conditions under which they are necessary, and the general operating rules for ATP certificate holders.
Q2If you want to know when an ATP certificate is required, which regulation tells you that subpart applies?
FAR 61.151 is the applicability section that establishes Subpart G as the source for when an ATP certificate or rating is necessary.
Q3Does FAR 61.151 itself list the eligibility requirements for an ATP certificate?
No. FAR 61.151 only states that Subpart G prescribes those issuance requirements, conditions, and operating rules — the specific eligibility standards are found in the other sections of the subpart.
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FAR 61.151 — ATP Certificate Subpart Applicability