Airline Career Pilot Program

Proven, no-compromise airline pilot career solution with all the training, resources, and career support you need to become an airline pilot. Get the ATP Advantage, with structured training and career progression from zero experience to airline pilot job.

The Airline Career Pilot Program offers the industry-leading resources and flight training you need to become an airline pilot at a fixed cost in just nine months from zero time, seven months from credit for solo, and six months with credit for private pilot license. Train like the airlines do, with total immersion training. Each day you’ll have a combination of flight lessons, simulator sessions, and Elevate ground school that maximizes proficiency and accelerates your training.

Located at the Livermore Municipal Airport, ATP's Livermore, California flight school offers aviation students in Southwest California professional commercial pilot flight training and an airline-sponsored Career Track™ from zero experience to 1,500 hours.

ATP is proud to have the highest ratio of airline placements to students of any flight school, aviation college, or aviation academy in Livermore.

Aircraft. The world’s largest flight training fleet safely maintained by ATP's unparalleled nationwide maintenance department.

Time Frame. Fast track training – zero experience to airline pilot job in 2½ years, in most cases.

Proven Training. Airlines trust ATP trained pilots — proven by more graduates flying for airlines than from any other school.

Reputation. Professional airline-oriented training for over 40 years.

Cost. Fixed cost based on realistic flight times that exceed FAA Part 141 minimums — others quote a minimum cost.

Online Resources. Proprietary online training resources, including a comprehensive training library and interactive ground school webinar sessions.

Career Tracks™. ATP has Career Track™ to 38 airlines and corporate operators, backed by formal agreements and structured career progression.

Tuition Reimbursement. Airline-sponsored tuition reimbursement (if qualified) makes your goal more obtainable.

Nationally Awarded Instructors. The quality and professionalism of ATP instructors have been consistently recognized by AOPA and the National Association of Flight Instructors.

If you're a hard-working, ambitious, career-minded individual then ATP can put you on a path to a successful airline pilot career. Admission prerequisites are the same for both the Airline Career Pilot Program and the 100+ Hour Multi-Engine Program and depend on your starting point: Start from Zero Time, Credit for Solo, or Credit for Private Pilot. Take the first step by calling 904-595-7950 to speak with a friendly ATP Admissions Advisor.

Full time, total immersion training. Classes start every Monday at all Airline Career Pilot Program locations. Training requires up to 7 days per week, and you must be flexible: each day includes guided independent study, group study, and/or flight lessons with related briefings, and some days include simulator lessons and individual or group ground lessons.

During the first two weeks of the private pilot and instrument stages, you'll attend ATP Elevate Ground School sessions five days per week. You will likely be required to spend up to ten weeks away from your primary training center (for example, for checkrides, the flight instructor stage and Piper Seminole multi-engine training); ATP will coordinate transportation and housing as necessary.

Upcoming class start dates are every Monday, beginning October 19, 2026.

Fixed tuition by starting point at Livermore (LVK). Start from Zero Time $128,995 (9 months); Start with Credit for Solo $105,995 (7 months); Start with Credit for Private Pilot $95,995 (6 months) (includes the $5,000 training center premium at this location). Tuition includes all flight training, simulator training, ground school, training materials, and ATP Advantage benefits required to become an airline pilot.

Payment schedule (from zero time). $995 non-refundable payment to reserve class date, then four payments as you progress: at your class date, 1 month, 5 months and 7 months after your class date. ATP never asks for full payment up front; payment schedules are approximate and progress-based. The training center premium is billed according to ATP's multiple-disbursement payment schedule.

Not included. FAA examiners' fees and knowledge tests (approximately $12,000 from zero time or credit for solo; $10,500 with credit for private pilot), paid in cash to examiner and third-party provider; iPad, headset, flight bag and other pilot gear; third party iPad apps and subscriptions.

Fuel surcharge. Effective April 7, 2026, a fuel charge is in effect at all locations for students in the Airline Career Pilot Program, Career Track Discovery Program, Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI), Time Build, and CFI, CFII & Commercial Multi Program. Surcharges are calculated from the GASPRMREFGCW index: (index − $4.00) × 10 per single-engine flight hour and (index − $4.00) × 20 per multi-engine flight hour, applied only when the index exceeds $4.00.

ATP Advantage Guarantee. Should you choose to discontinue your training for any reason before your first milestone (about 20 hours of flight time), you will only pay for the flight time you logged at the discounted below market rate of $200 per flight hour (includes instruction, fuel, insurance, etc.), plus $995 enrollment fee.

Financing. ATP works with multiple lenders offering full financing for commercial pilot training, with loan payment deferment until you begin flying as an airline pilot. Loan amounts may include the cost of the program and living expenses incurred during training.

GI Bill® and tuition reimbursement. GI Bill® benefits can not be used to pay for the Airline Career Pilot Program, but may be used for reimbursement of FAA examiners' fees and knowledge tests. Horizon Air and PSA Airlines offer financial assistance to help you cover the cost of your flight training.

Federal student aid. Financial aid such as Stafford Loans and Pell Grants that can be requested through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) cannot be used to help cover the costs of flight training at ATP. ATP has partnered with Sallie Mae for private student loans covering the cost to attend ATP. For those seeking scholarships, tuition reimbursement is available through ATP’s airline Career Tracks™ partners.

Your first job after graduating will be flying as a flight instructor to gain additional experience and the flight time required by airlines. ATP is actively hiring graduates nationwide, allowing you to meet airline hiring minimums in about 18–24 months while taking advantage of airline-sponsored tuition reimbursement.

With 38 structured Career Tracks™, more airline pilots get their start at ATP than at any other flight school. On average, it takes 2½ years from program start to airline placement. ATP reports over 1,210 graduate airline placements in the last 12 months (as of October 2026), and 1 out of every 4 regional airline new-hire pilots is an ATP graduate.

Immediately after scheduling, you’ll gain access to ATP’s online training library and ground school support videos, as well as receive a training bundle with all the books and reference materials you need. During the program, your Training Support Specialist provides one-on-one assistance to ensure you stay on time and within budget.

Housing. ATP offers a shared (double occupancy), convenient housing option in an upscale, furnished apartment with WiFi and all utilities included. (Phone service is not provided.) Well-equipped business center facilities and recreation facilities are available at all ATP apartments. With no lease obligation, this option is perfect for students in the Airline Career Pilot Program. Housing is not available at this location. See other training centers that offer housing, or contact our Admissions Office at 904-595-7950 to discuss other options.