R-ATP to unrestricted ATP is an administrative action under 14 CFR 61.159. Once you meet age 23 and 1,500 hours (with the §61.159(a) category subminimums), the limitation is removed via a 20–30 minute video meeting. $200 flat. No checkride.
What "R-ATP to unrestricted ATP" actually means
A Restricted ATP is the certificate issued when a pilot meets lower-than-standard total time minimums under §61.160 — typically 1,000 or 1,250 hours, granted to military and graduates of approved aviation programs. The restriction lifts to a full unrestricted ATP under §61.159 once:
- Total flight time reaches the standard 1,500 hours
- Age reaches 23
Once both are met, the limitation removal is an administrative action — no additional practical test is required. The DPE verifies your hours, confirms age 23, processes the IACRA, and issues the unrestricted ATP same-appointment.
What is a restricted ATP (R-ATP)? The §61.160 minimums
A restricted ATP is a full airline transport pilot certificate earned at reduced minimums under 14 CFR §61.160 — the rule that lets military pilots and aviation-degree graduates fly for an airline before 1,500 hours. The reduced totals:
- 750 hours — U.S. military pilots (§61.160(a))
- 1,000 hours — bachelor's degree with an aviation major + 60 approved aviation credits from a §61.169-authorized institution (§61.160(b))
- 1,250 hours — associate's degree with an aviation major + 30 approved credits, or a bachelor's graduate with 30–59 credits (§61.160(c), (d))
- 1,500 hours — anyone, with only 200 hours cross-country instead of the standard 500 (§61.160(f))
Every §61.160 path also gets the reduced 200-hour cross-country allowance (§61.160(e)). The certificate itself carries the line "RESTRICTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH 14 CFR 61.167", and §61.167(b) spells out what that costs you: no acting as pilot in command in part 121, §91.1053(a)(2)(i) fractional, or §135.243(a)(1) operations, and no serving as SIC 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's the standard first officer certificate at the regionals.
The restriction comes off when you meet the full §61.159 experience and turn 23 (§61.160(g)) — which is the administrative action described above, and the rest of this page.
Eligibility checklist — confirm before booking
You're ready to remove the R-ATP limitation when:
- ☑ Age is 23 or older
- ☑ Total flight time is 1,500 hours or more (per the categories accepted under §61.159(a))
- ☑ You meet all the underlying aeronautical experience requirements of §61.159(a)(1)–(5), including:
- 500 hours of cross-country flight time
- 100 hours of night flight time
- 75 hours of instrument flight time
- 250 hours of pilot-in-command time
- Other applicable subcategories per the regulation
If you're unsure whether your hours qualify, the appointment IS the verification step. Submit the contact form; the intake email walks through what documentation you'll need.
How the appointment runs
The video appointment is typically 20–30 minutes and consists of:
- Identity verification
- Logbook review — we confirm your hours meet §61.159 by category
- IACRA application sign-off
- Issuance of temporary unrestricted ATP certificate
The temporary certificate is valid immediately. The permanent plastic certificate is mailed by the FAA in 4–6 weeks.
What you'll need
After contact form submission, you'll receive an R-ATP to ATP document checklist:
- Government photo ID
- Current Restricted ATP certificate
- Logbook documentation showing total time, hours by category (PIC, XC, night, instrument), and any other categories §61.159 requires
- Started IACRA application
- Knowledge of your FTN
Timing
Total turnaround from inquiry to issued temporary unrestricted ATP is typically 3 to 7 business days, most of which is the time you take to gather logbook documentation. The video appointment itself is 20–30 minutes. A minimum of 24 hours advance notice is required for the FAA DMS oversight entry.
Pricing — $200 flat
Same as every Daytona DPE service. Paid by credit card, Venmo, or Zelle at the appointment after the certificate is issued. No charge if you're determined not yet eligible during the call.
More on pricing → View pricing details
Also carrying the ICAO PIC-experience limitation? Same appointment.
Some ATP certificates carry a second line: "HOLDER DOES NOT MEET THE PILOT IN COMMAND AERONAUTICAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS OF ICAO." It shows up when qualifying PIC time was logged as SIC-performing-PIC-duties under §61.159(c) or through certain military and Part 121 paths. Domestically it's mostly cosmetic — internationally it can block validations and foreign operator paperwork.
Removal is administrative, exactly like the R-ATP conversion: show satisfactory evidence you now meet the §61.159/§61.161 experience requirements without the exception, and the limitation comes off — no checkride. Daytona DPE processes it by video, and if you're clearing both the R-ATP restriction and the ICAO line, both are handled in the same $200 appointment. Mention the ICAO limitation in the contact form so the checklist covers it.
Related considerations
- Just hit 1,500 and applying for an airline? The R-ATP removal is independent of your medical class. Airlines often want to see the unrestricted ATP on file before final-interview offers — book this as soon as you cross the threshold.
- Have an SIC type rating? Check §61.159 to confirm the SIC time is loggable for the categories that need it. If you're unsure, mention it in the contact form.
Free resources
Related services
Hit 1,500 hours and ready to upgrade?
Submit the contact form. You'll have a document checklist within 24 hours, and most pilots are issued an unrestricted ATP within a week.
Schedule R-ATP to ATP upgrade →