Compare FAA Certification Allowances

Overall Information:

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​Notes: 

1. Minimum training or experience requirements for cross country, night, solo, takeoffs and landings, and the 3 hours of training with an authorized instructor in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test must be accomplished in an aircraft. Private Pilot Airplane applicants must also accomplish the minimum requirement for 3 hours of control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to instruments specified in §61.109 in an airplane. Additionally, no portion of the practical test or type specific training credit can be conducted in an BATD.
2. This chart excludes training center allowances under 14 CFR part 142.  
3. The hours specified in the chart for 14 CFR part 141 pilot schools have been converted from percentages relative to the minimum experience requirements specified in the regulations.
4. Some ATD allowances are provided as part of the required letter of authorization (LOA). See 14 CFR section 61.4 (c).

Part 141 Appendix C
FFS:

• No more than 50% of course requirement

FTD:

• No more than 40% of course requirement

ATD:

• No more than 10% of course requirement
• Authorized Instructor Required (not for instrument currency)

Part 61 Instrument Rating
FFS and FTD:

• 30 hours under Part 142 or 20 hours if not under Part 142 (14 CFR 16.65(h))
• Authorized Instructor Required (not for instrument currency)

ATD:

• Instrument Rating (14 CFR 61.65(i)) - 10 hours Maximum. 
• Authorized Instructor Required (not for instrument currency)

Commercial Certificate
FFS and FTD:

• Airplane 100 hours if under Part 142 or 50 hours if NOT under Part 142
• Helicopter 50 hours if under Part 142 or 25 hours if NOT under Part 142

• Authorized Instructor Required (not for instrument currency)

ATD:

• Check LOA, QAG

Part 141 Appendix D
FFS:

• No more than 30% of course requirement

FTD:

• No more than 20% of course requirement

Combination:

• No more than 30% of Course requirement

ATD:

• Check LOA

ATP Certificate (Airplane)
FFS and FTD:

• Of the 75 hours of instrument, not more than 25 hours or 50 hours under Part 142
• Of the 1,500 hours not more than 100 hours if obtained training under Part 121, 135, 141, or 142.

ATD:

• Check LOA

ATP Certificate (Helicopter)
FFS and FTD:

• Of the 75 hours of instrument, not more than 25 hours or 50 hours under Part 142

ATD:

• Check LOA

Part 141 Appendix E
FFS:

• No more than 50% of course requirement

FTD:

• No more than 25% of course requirement

Combination:

• No more than 50% of course requirement

ATD:

• Check LOA