C.F.R. » Title 14 » CHAPTER I—FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › SUBCHAPTER D—AIRMEN › PART 61—CERTIFICATION: PILOTS, FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS, AND GROUND INSTRUCTORS › Subpart G—Airline Transport Pilots

14 C.F.R. § 61.153

Eligibility requirements: General

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To be eligible for an airline transport pilot certificate, a person must:

(a) Meet the following age requirements:

(1) For an airline transport pilot certificate obtained under the aeronautical experience requirements of §§ 61.159, 61.161, or 61.163, be at least 23 years of age; or

(2) For an airline transport pilot certificate obtained under the aeronautical experience requirements of § 61.160, be at least 21 years of age.

(b) Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements due to medical reasons, then the Administrator may place such operating limitations on that applicant's pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft;

(c) Be of good moral character;

(d) Meet at least one of the following requirements:

(1) Holds a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating issued under this part;

(2) Meet the military experience requirements under § 61.73 of this part to qualify for a commercial pilot certificate, and an instrument rating if the person is a rated military pilot or former rated military pilot of an Armed Force of the United States; or

(3) Holds either a foreign airline transport pilot license with instrument privileges, or a foreign commercial pilot license with an instrument rating, that—

(i) Was issued by a contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation; and

(ii) Contains no geographical limitations.

(e) For an airline transport pilot certificate with an airplane category multiengine class rating or an airline transport pilot certificate obtained concurrently with a multiengine airplane type rating, receive a graduation certificate from an authorized training provider certifying completion of the airline transport pilot certification training program specified in § 61.156 before applying for the knowledge test required by paragraph (g) of this section;

(f) Meet the aeronautical experience requirements of this subpart that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought before applying for the practical test;

(g) Pass a knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas of § 61.155(c) of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought;

(h) Pass the practical test on the areas of operation listed in § 61.157(e) of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought; and

(i) Comply with the sections of this subpart that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.

[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40905, July 30, 1997; Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42559, Aug. 21, 2009; Amdt. 61-130, 78 FR 42374, July 15, 2013; Amdt. 61-149, 86 FR 62087, Nov. 9, 2021]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 2003–2025 · leading case: Michel A. Padilla v. Adm'r, Fed. Aviation Admin., 662 F. App'x 743 (11th Cir. 2016).
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Michel A. Padilla v. Adm'r, Fed. Aviation Admin., 662 F. App'x 743 (11th Cir. 2016). · cites it 2× “Specifically, it was determined that you certificated an airman who did not meet the eligibility requirements of 14 C.F.R. § 61.153 (b). 2 Section 61.153(b) requires that recipients of an airline transport pilot certificate “[b]e able to read, speak, write, and understand the…”
People of Michigan v. Montario Marquise Taylor (Mich. 2025). “A person generally cannot open a credit card until age 21 without a cosigner, 15 USC 1637(c)(8), 13 or obtain an airline pilot transport certificate under certain aeronautical experience requirements, 14 CFR 61.153(a)(1), until age 23. Additionally, federal firearm licensees are…”
People of Michigan v. Andrew Michael Czarnecki (Mich. 2025). “A person generally cannot open a credit card until age 21 without a cosigner, 15 USC 1637(c)(8), 13 or obtain an airline pilot transport certificate under certain aeronautical experience requirements, 14 CFR 61.153(a)(1), until age 23. Additionally, federal firearm licensees are…”
Robbins v. Blakey, 60 F. App'x 683 (9th Cir. 2003). “See 14 C.F.R. § 61.153 (c). We decline to reach this issue as NTSB precedent supports the revocation of all of Robbins’s airman certificates solely on the basis of his violation of § 43.”
— 14 C.F.R. § 61.153(a)(1) — 2 cases
People of Michigan v. Montario Marquise Taylor (Mich. 2025). “A person generally cannot open a credit card until age 21 without a cosigner, 15 USC 1637(c)(8), 13 or obtain an airline pilot transport certificate under certain aeronautical experience requirements, 14 CFR 61.153(a)(1), until age 23. Additionally, federal firearm licensees are…”
People of Michigan v. Andrew Michael Czarnecki (Mich. 2025). “A person generally cannot open a credit card until age 21 without a cosigner, 15 USC 1637(c)(8), 13 or obtain an airline pilot transport certificate under certain aeronautical experience requirements, 14 CFR 61.153(a)(1), until age 23. Additionally, federal firearm licensees are…”
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