Is it really true that you have to have a PPL license in the USA to get a CPL/ATPL license?

Question

I mean, here in Germany, a guy who wants to become a professional pilot goes to a flight school, makes there it's CPL followed by the ATPL, and then can go to the airlines and fly commercial there. You never need a PPL at first.

Answer 1

No, i don't have a private but I have an ATP, fly for a major airline. I could skip mine because of the prt 141 flightschool regs.

Answer 2

Keep in mind in the US we have a whole group of people who fly for fun. therefore we need a license that will allow that with min qualifications. In the US you can go anywhere with a PPL and if you want you dont even need have to have a radio to do a coast to coast flight.

Answer 3

In the US, no, not true that it is required.

Before you can get the Commercial Pilots Certificate, you must have logged 250 hours (part 61) a little less part 141.

some will elect to get the private first (40 hours)as a cheaper means of building necessary experience .

Then go on as a Commercial Pilot getting paid ,building the required hours to become an ATP

opps..

by required, I was thinking from the point of view of the flight school, not regulatory. hope I was not too confusing.

Coffeebuzz has given you the correct regulation on the matter..

so the answer is yes.

hotrod....

Appendix D to Part 141—Commercial Pilot Certification Course

1. Applicability. This appendix prescribes the minimum curriculum for a commercial pilot certification course required under this part, for the following ratings:

(a) Airplane single-engine.

(b) Airplane multiengine.

(c) Rotorcraft helicopter.

(d) Rotorcraft gyroplane.

(e) Powered-lift.

(f) Glider.

(g) Lighter-than-air airship.

(h) Lighter-than-air balloon.

2. Eligibility for enrollment. A person must hold the following prior to enrolling in the flight portion of the commercial pilot certification course:

(a) At least a private pilot certificate; and

(b) If the course is for a rating in an airplane or a powered-lift category, then the person must:

(1) Hold an instrument rating in the aircraft that is appropriate to the aircraft category rating for which the course applies; or

<snip>

Appendix E to Part 141—Airline Transport Pilot Certification Course

1. Applicability. This appendix prescribes the minimum curriculum for an airline transport pilot certification course under this part, for the following ratings:

(a) Airplane single-engine.

(b) Airplane multiengine.

(c) Rotorcraft helicopter.

(d) Powered-lift.

2. Eligibility for enrollment. Prior to enrolling in the flight portion of the airline transport pilot certification course, a person must:

(a) Meet the aeronautical experience requirements prescribed in subpart G of part 61 of this chapter for an airline transport pilot certificate that is appropriate to the aircraft category and class rating for which the course applies;

(b) Hold at least a commercial pilot certificate and an instrument rating;

(c) Meet the military experience requirements under §61.73 of this chapter to qualify for a commercial pilot certificate and an instrument rating, if the person is a rated military pilot or former rated military pilot of an Armed Force of the United States; or

Answer 4

Yes, it's true.  From the Federal Aviation Regulations:

<start paste>

§ 61.123   Eligibility requirements: General.

To be eligible for a commercial pilot certificate, a person must:

<snip>

(h) Hold at least a private pilot certificate issued under this part or meet the requirements of §61.73

<end paste>

61.73 refers to prior military experience.