Program Overview

Introduction to the Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) Program

Bowling Green State University is authorized to certify graduates of the aviation program in meeting the academic eligibility requirements towards the FAA Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) certificate. This authority may allow for pilots with fewer than 1,500 hours of flight time to obtain a R-ATP certificate.

Eligibility Requirements

A Restricted ATP certificate allows a pilot to serve as a co-pilot at 1,000 hours with 60 credits of approved coursework or 1,250 hours with 30 credits of approved coursework until they obtain the necessary 1,500 hours.

Approved R-ATP Courses

The following courses apply toward the minimum number of credit hours:

• AERT 2050: Aviation Maintenance Management (3 semester credits)
• AERT 215: Aviation Ground Operations (3 semester credits)
• AERT 2150: Aviation Ground Operations (3 semester credits)
• AERT 220: Private Pilot Ground School (4 semester credits)
• AERT 2200: Private Pilot Ground School (4 semester credits)
• AERT 222: Private Pilot Flight I (2 semester credits)
• AERT 2220: Private Pilot Flight I (2 semester credits)
• AERT 223: Private Pilot Flight II (2 semester credits)
• AERT 2230: Private Pilot Flight II (2 semester credits)
• AERT 224: ATC and the National Airspace System (3 semester credits)
• AERT 2240: ATC and the National Airspace System (3 semester credits)
• AERT 240: Air Transportation (3 semester credits)
• AERT 280: Instrument Ground School (3 semester credits)
• AERT 2800: Instrument Ground School (3 semester credits)
• AERT 281: Basic Instrument Flight Instruction (3 semester credits)
• AERT 2810: Basic Instrument Flight Instruction (3 semester credits)
• AERT 282: Advanced Instrument Flight Instruction (3 semester credits)
• AERT 2820: Advanced Instrument Flight Instruction (3 semester credits)
• AERT 3000: Air Transportation (3 semester credits)
• AERT 306: Multi-Engine Ground School (1 semester credit)
• AERT 3060: Multi-Engine Ground School (1 semester credit)
• AERT 320: Commercial Ground School (3 semester credits)
• AERT 3200: Commercial Ground School (3 semester credits)
• AERT 3220: Basic Commercial Flight Instruction (1 semester credit)
• AERT 323: Advanced Commercial Flight Instruction (2 semester credits)
• AERT 3230: Advanced Commercial Flight Instruction (2 semester credits)
• AERT 3240: Basic Commercial Flight Instruction (3 semester credits)
• AERT 3250: Advanced Commercial Flight Instruction (2 semester credits)
• AERT 330: Digital Cockpit Instrumentation (2 semester credits)
• AERT 3300: Digital Cockpit Instrumentation (2 semester credits)
• AERT 3480: Airport Operations (3 semester credits)
• AERT 349: Aviation Law (3 semester credits)
• AERT 3490: Aviation Law (3 semester credits)
• AERT 352: Aviation Safety (3 semester credits)
• AERT 3520: Aviation Safety (Discontinued April 2020) (3 semester credits)
• AERT 3520: Crew Resource Management (3 semester credits)
• AERT 354: Aviation Management (3 semester credits)
• AERT 3540: Aviation Management (3 semester credits)
• AERT 404: Advanced Aerodynamics and Aircraft Performance (3 semester credits)
• AERT 4040: Advance Aerodynamics and Aircraft Performance (3 semester credits)
• AERT 405: Advanced Aircraft Systems (3 semester credits)
• AERT 4050: Advanced Aircraft Systems (3 semester credits)
• AERT 407: Multi-Engine Flight Instruction (1 semester credit)
• AERT 4070: Multi-Engine Flight Instruction (1 semester credit)
• AERT 440: Aviation Instructor Ground School (2 semester credits)
• AERT 4400: Aviation Instructor Ground School (2 semester credits)
• AERT 443: Flight Instructor - Airplane (3 semester credits)
• AERT 4420: Flight Instructor - Airplane Multi-Engine (3 semester credits)
• AERT 4430: Flight Instructor - Airplane (3 semester credits)
• AERT 4440: Flight Instructor - Airplane Single Engine (1 semester credit)
• AERT 445: Flight Instructor - Instrument (1 semester credit)
• AERT 4450: Flight Instructor - Instrument (1 semester credit)
• AERT 4460: Flight Instructor - Instrument (1 semester credit)
• AERT 447: Flight Instructor - Multi-Engine (1 semester credit)
• AERT 4470: Flight Instructor - Multi-Engine (1 semester credit)
• AERT 4600: Safety Management Systems (3 semester credits)
• AERT 4680: Business Aviation (3 semester credits)
• AERT 482: Flight Proficiency (1-3 semester credits)
• AERT 4820: Flight Proficiency (1-3 semester credits)
• AERT 490: Problems in Aviation Studies (1-3 semester credits)
• AERT 4900: Problems in Aviation Studies (1-3 semester credits)
• GEOG 125: Weather and Climate (3 semester credits)
• GEOG 1250: Weather and Climate (3 semester credits)
• GEOG 213: Meteorology (3 semester credits)
• GEOG 2130: Meteorology (3 semester credits)
• GEOG 303: Severe Weather (3 semester credits)
• GEOG 3030: Severe Weather (3 semester credits)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Restricted ATP (R-ATP) rules?

The R-ATP rules are outlined in FAR 61.159 and 61.160.

What BGSU degrees are approved by the FAA?

The following degrees are approved by the FAA:

• B.S. in Technology, with a Specialization in:
  • Flight Technology and Operations
  • Aviation Management and Operations
  • Aviation Engineering Technology
• B.S. in Aviation, with a Specialization in:
  • Flight Technology and Operations
  • Aviation Management and Operations
  • Aviation Engineering Technology

How do I become eligible for R-ATP?

To be eligible for the R-ATP:

• Graduate from one of the approved degree majors
• Complete Instrument flight and ground training under Part 141 at BGSU
• Complete Commercial flight and ground training under Part 141 at BGSU
• Take ATP Knowledge Exam at an authorized FAA Testing Center
• If you have satisfactorily completed the prescribed 60 credit hours of approved coursework, build your time to 1,000 hours with 200 Cross Country hours
• If you have satisfactorily completed between 30 and 60 of the prescribed credit hours of approved coursework, build your time to 1,250 hours with 200 Cross Country hours
• Take the Practical Exam for the R-ATP certificate

How do I determine if I am eligible for reduction in aeronautical experience towards the R-ATP certificate?

Prior to graduation from BGSU, you may request a preliminary audit for the purpose of determining what level will be eligible for reduction to for the purpose of R-ATP certification once you graduate.

How will this affect me in getting a job in aviation after I graduate?

If you graduate from an FAA-approved degree program at BGSU, you may be eligible to receive your R-ATP at 1,000 or 1,250 hours versus an unrestricted ATP at 1,500 hours. You also will be eligible for hiring by a Part 121 carrier between 250 and 500 hours sooner.

How many credit hours and flight hours do I need for R-ATP?

If you graduate from an approved major and you complete 60 credits of approved courses, then you are eligible for the ATP-R at 1,000 hours. If you have completed between 30-59 approved credits, then you will need 1,250 hours.

What are the benefits of having R-ATP?

The initial legislation required a 1,500-hour ATP. This FAA rule lowers that requirement by up to 500 hours, resulting in BGSU students being eligible for hiring by an airline sooner.

What is the difference between R-ATP and an ATP with full privileges?

With the R-ATP, you will not be authorized to act as PIC at a U.S. Part 121 air carrier. However, the knowledge and skill requirements are the same for both.

How long does R-ATP last?

Once you meet the requirements under FAR 61.159 (1500 hours), the ATP will no longer be restricted and will be valid indefinitely as long as you are current.

If I did my Instrument training somewhere other than BGSU, do I still qualify?

No, both Instrument and Commercial ground schools and flight must be completed at BGSU.

Am I eligible to use the GI Bill and VA Educational Benefits?

The Aviation Flight Technology program and courses do not qualify for GI Bill or VA education benefits. However, many students are eligible for other military education benefits.

If I did not complete my Private Pilot Certificate enrollment and training at BGSU, will that be counted towards my eligibility for R-ATP purposes?

It depends. If you conducted the training in association with an Institution of Higher Education that holds an FAA Letter of Authorization for the R-ATP, you may be able to receive credit towards the eligibility requirements.