7/12/13 AC 61-139
9. ACADEMIC AREAS. A graduate from a degree program with an aviation major who meets
the requirements of § 61.160(b), (c), or (d) is eligible to apply for a restricted privileges
ATP Certificate. Section 61.160(b), (c), or (d) requires that a graduate complete a specific
number of credit hours in aviation coursework that has been recognized by the FAA as
coursework designed to improve and enhance the knowledge and skills of a person seeking a
career as a professional pilot.
a. Aviation and Aviation-Related Courses and Subject Areas. To assist institutions of
higher education in determining whether a course meets the requirements, the FAA has identified
several aviation and aviation-related courses and subject areas that are essential to prepare a
student for a career as a professional pilot. The institution of higher education should offer, at a
minimum, coursework in the academic areas listed in this section. The institution of higher
education will then be responsible for certifying that a graduate has successfully completed the
coursework and he or she meets the requirements of the appropriate paragraph of § 61.160. The
following list includes key academic subject areas in aviation that a graduate should have
completed as part of their degree program with an aviation major:
(1) Ground and Flight Training for Certificates and Ratings.
(a) Courses listed within this academic area should be designed to develop the
knowledge and skills necessary to safely and proficiently exercise the privileges and
responsibilities of an FAA certificate and/or rating.
(b) General areas that should be discussed in ground and flight training include the
aeronautical knowledge areas identified for the specific certificate or rating sought. Those areas
may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Instructor-led discussions concerning aeronautical decision-making (ADM),
crew resource management (CRM), aerodynamics, airworthiness, aeromedical
factors, night and high altitude operations, weather hazards and reports,
airport operations, flight planning, weight and balance (W&B), aircraft
performance and limitations, aircraft systems and abnormal/emergency
procedures. Additionally, the courses should include scenario based training
to simulate more closely the actual flight conditions known to cause most fatal
General Aviation (GA) accidents.
• An introduction and overview to the 14 CFR sections governing the
applicable parts and subparts to the certificate or rating being instructed.
(c) General topics that can be considered under this academic area should result in
the student being administered an FAA knowledge test or practical test for a certificate or rating.
NOTE: To be eligible for a restricted privileges ATP Certificate under
§ 61.160(b), (c), or (d), a student is required to complete the ground and
flight training for a commercial pilot certificate (airplane category) and
airplane instrument rating as part of an aviation degree program in
accordance with § 61.160(b)(3) or (c)(3).
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