R-ATP

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. 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.

If you are a graduate of the BGSU Aviation program and would like to request an audit for Restricted ATP purposes, please contact:

Catherine Smith
Chief Flight Instructor 
cesmith@bgsu.edu


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

*Courses are subject to change.

Course numberCourse titleSemester credits
AERT 2050Aviation Maintenance Management3
AERT 215Aviation Ground Operations3
AERT 2150Aviation Ground Operations3
AERT 220Private Pilot Ground School4
AERT 2200Private Pilot Ground School4
AERT 222Private Pilot Flight I2
AERT 2220Private Pilot Flight I2
AERT 223Private Pilot Flight II2
AERT 2230Private Pilot Flight II2
AERT 224ATC and the National Airspace System3
AERT 2240ATC and the National Airspace System3
AERT 240Air Transportation3
AERT 280Instrument Ground School3
AERT 2800Instrument Ground School3
AERT 281Basic Instrument Flight Instruction3
AERT 2810Basic Instrument Flight Instruction3
AERT 282Advanced Instrument Flight Instruction3
AERT 2820Advanced Instrument Flight Instruction3
AERT 3000Air Transportation3
AERT 306Multi-Engine Ground School1
AERT 3060Multi-Engine Ground School1
AERT 320Commercial Ground School3
AERT 3200Commercial Ground School3
AERT 3220Basic Commercial Flight Instruction1
AERT 323Advanced Commercial Flight Instruction2
AERT 3230Advanced Commercial Flight Instruction2
AERT 3240Basic Commercial Flight Instruction3
AERT 3250Advanced Commercial Flight Instruction2
AERT 330Digital Cockpit Instrumentation2
AERT 3300Digital Cockpit Instrumentation2
AERT 3480Airport Operations3
AERT 349Aviation Law3
AERT 3490Aviation Law3
AERT 352Aviation Safety3
AERT 3520Aviation Safety (Discontinued April 2020)3
AERT 3520Crew Resource Management3
AERT 354Aviation Management3
AERT 3540Aviation Management3
AERT 404Advanced Aerodynamics and Aircraft Performance3
AERT 4040Advance Aerodynamics and Aircraft Performance3
AERT 405Advanced Aircraft Systems3
AERT 4050Advanced Aircraft Systems3
AERT 407Multi-Engine Flight Instruction1
AERT 4070Multi-Engine Flight Instruction1
AERT 440Aviation Instructor Ground School2
AERT 4400Aviation Instructor Ground School2
AERT 443Flight Instructor - Airplane3
AERT 4420Flight Instructor - Airplane Multi-Engine3
AERT 4430Flight Instructor - Airplane3
AERT 4440Flight Instructor - Airplane Single Engine1
AERT 445Flight Instructor - Instrument1
AERT 4450Flight Instructor - Instrument1
AERT 4460Flight Instructor - Instrument1
AERT 447Flight Instructor - Multi-Engine1
AERT 4470Flight Instructor - Multi-Engine1
AERT 4600Safety Management Systems3
AERT 4680Business Aviation3
AERT 482Flight Proficiency1-3
AERT 4820Flight Proficiency1-3
AERT 490Problems in Aviation Studies1-3
AERT 4900Problems in Aviation Studies1-3
GEOG 125Weather and Climate3
GEOG 1250Weather and Climate3
GEOG 213Meteorology3
GEOG 2130Meteorology3
GEOG 303Severe Weather3
GEOG 3030Severe Weather3

Frequently Asked Questions

You may view the ruling FAR 61.159 and 61.160 on the FAA website.

B.S. in Technology, with a Specialization in 1) Flight Technology and Operations, or 2) Aviation Management and Operations, or 3) Aviation Engineering Technology.

B.S. in Aviation, with a Specialization in 1) Flight Technology and Operations, or 2) Aviation Management and Operations, or 3) Aviation Engineering Technology.

To be eligible for the R-ATP:

  • Graduate from one of the approved degree majors (see "What BGSU degrees are approved by the FAA?")
  • 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 satisfactorly completed the prescribed 60 credit hours of approved coursework, build your time to 1,000 hours with 200 Cross Country hours (as well as the other requirements of FAR 61.159)
  • If you have satisfactorly 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

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. If you have taken coursework or aviation training at an institution other than BGSU, this is highly encouraged.

After graduation from BGSU – you may request your transcript be evaluated for the eligibility determination towards R-ATP. If the FAA and BGSU criteria are met, you will be issued an official Certifying Statement.

Email Chief Flight Instructor, Catherine Smith, to apply. cesmith@bgsu.edu. You will need to provide an official transcript with this request.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 are you are current.

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

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; please contact Nontraditional and Military Student Services at 419 372-8136 or ntmss@bgsu.edu for further information.

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. You will need to provide the official transcripts from that Institution to the BGSU Certifying Official who will determine if those courses are listed and approved on the LOA for that Institution.

If you did not enroll and conduct your Private Pilot Certification at an Institution of Higher Education that holds an FAA Letter of Authorization for the R-ATP, these credit hours will not be utilized to reduce aeronautical experience for R-ATP purposes.

Updated: 10/17/2025 11:45AM