The short answer

The restriction lifts on §61.159, which asks for 500 hours of cross-country. Every R-ATP is issued against the reduced 200-hour allowance in §61.160(e), so a 1,500-hour logbook can be 300 cross-country hours short and look finished. Add age 23 (§61.160(g) → §61.153(a)(1)) and that is the whole test.

Why 1,500 hours does not do it

Two different numbers get called “the ATP minimum” and they are not the same requirement. §61.160 is what let you hold the certificate early, at 750, 1,000, 1,250 or 1,500 hours. §61.159 is the full airplane ATP aeronautical experience, and it is what §61.160(g) names as the condition for taking the restriction off.

§61.159(a) is the full airplane ATP experience requirement: 1,500 hours total time including at least 500 hours cross-country, 100 hours night, 50 hours in the class of airplane for the rating sought, 75 hours instrument (actual or simulated), and 250 hours pilot in command (or SIC performing PIC duties) of which 100 are cross-country and 25 are night.

Read those two lists against each other and the trap is obvious: §61.160(e) issued your certificate against 200 hours of cross-country, and §61.159 wants 500. Total time catches up on its own; cross-country time does not, especially on short domestic segments.

And there is a 1,500-hour R-ATP — §61.160(f)

This surprises people. §61.160(f) is a pathway in its own right: 1,500 hours total time with 200 hours of cross-country, otherwise meeting §61.159. It exists precisely because cross-country time is the line that lags, and it means a pilot can be issued a restricted ATP at exactly 1,500 hours. If that is you, your certificate is correct and your remaining work is the cross-country column, not the total.

What the restriction actually costs you

Under §61.167(b) the restriction means no acting as pilot in command in part 121 operations, in §91.1053(a)(2)(i) fractional operations, or in §135.243(a)(1) operations — and no serving as second in command in part 121 flag or supplemental operations requiring three or more pilots. Everything else an ATP can do, an R-ATP holder can do, which is why it is the standard first-officer certificate at the regionals.

So when does it come off?

The restriction comes off under §61.160(g), which says the pilot is entitled to the certificate without the limitation on presenting satisfactory evidence of having met the §61.159 aeronautical experience requirements and the age requirement of §61.153(a)(1) — 23. It is an administrative action: no checkride, no flight, no sim.

How to read your own logbook tonight

Before you book anything, total four columns and compare them to the list above: cross-country, night, instrument, and PIC. If one is short, you have your answer and your date — and no examiner, this one included, can change it. If all four clear and you are 23, the appointment is 20 minutes.

If you are not sure a particular entry counts as cross-country for §61.159 purposes, send the logbook through your document page and it is reviewed before the appointment, at no charge if it turns out you are not ready.

How the appointment runs

  1. Identity verification (valid, unexpired photo ID)
  2. Certificate and logbook review against §61.159(a), line by line
  3. IACRA application signed live
  4. Temporary certificate without the restriction issued on the call

About 20 minutes, from anywhere with a stable connection. 24-hour advance notice is required for FAA DMS oversight entry.

Pricing — $200 flat

No travel fees, no rescheduling fees, and no charge if you are determined not eligible during the appointment. Details → Pricing

Related

R-ATP to Unrestricted ATP

The hub page: every pathway, the restriction, and how the appointment runs.

R-ATP at 750 Hours (Military)

The §61.160(a) pathway and what changes at the removal.

ICAO PIC Limitation Removal

The second line some ATP certificates carry. Same appointment, no extra charge.

Four columns clear and 23? That is the whole test.

Submit the contact form and your document page opens with the list — scan with your phone or upload PDFs. $200 flat.

Schedule your ATP restriction removal →

Frequently asked

I have 1,500 hours. Why is my ATP still restricted?
Because the condition in 61.160(g) is 61.159, not a total-time number. 61.159(a) requires 500 hours of cross-country time and your certificate was issued against the 200-hour allowance in 61.160(e). Pilots flying short segments routinely reach 1,500 total hours with 250 to 400 hours of cross-country. Total your cross-country column and compare it to 500.
Is there really a 1,500-hour restricted ATP?
Yes. 61.160(f) is its own pathway: 1,500 hours total time with 200 hours of cross-country, otherwise meeting 61.159. It exists because cross-country time is the line that lags, so a pilot can hold a restricted ATP at exactly 1,500 hours and be entirely correct.
Does the restriction expire or come off automatically?
Neither. It stays on the certificate until an examiner processes the removal in IACRA against evidence that you meet 61.159 and are 23. Nothing happens on its own, and there is no date at which it lapses.
Which hours do I actually need to finish?
61.159(a) in full: 1,500 total, 500 cross-country, 100 night, 50 in the class of airplane for the rating, 75 instrument, and 250 pilot in command or SIC performing PIC duties including 100 cross-country and 25 night. Cross-country is the one that decides most people’s date.
Do I need another checkride to remove it?
No. It is an administrative action on the evidence. Daytona DPE processes it on a 20-minute video call for $200 flat, with the unrestricted temporary certificate issued on the call and no charge if you are found not eligible.