Coe College approved for pilot certification with shortened training requirement

With a new certification now open to Coe College’s aviation program, students can cut out as much as a third of their training hours and help their careers take off earlier.

The Cedar Rapids private college announced in a news release Wednesday its aviation management and flight operations concentration is now authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to award eligible program graduates with a Restricted-Airline Transport Pilot certificate, which requires fewer hours of flight training.

“This approval is a game-changer for our students,” said Coe College Provost Angela Ziskowski in the release. “By meeting the FAA’s rigorous academic and flight training standards, Coe is now one of a select group of institutions with an FAA-authorized R-ATP pathway.”

Students will qualify for the certificate if they have 1,000 flight hours, the release stated, decreased from the 1,500 hours required for an unrestricted airline transport pilot certificate. Other requirements for the restricted certificate include being at least 21 years old, having a four-year Coe College degree, taking at least 60 credit hours in aviation-related coursework approved by the FAA and passing the organization’s written and practical exams.

Those who want to earn unrestricted certification must be 23 years old, the release stated, meaning students with the restricted certificate can start their flying careers as much as two years earlier.

Pam Carstens, Coe College professor of business administration and economics, said in the release that pilots with a restricted license are often hired at regional airlines and certain cargo carriers.

“R-ATP pilots are sometimes hired as second-in-command pilots or sometimes into training programs to build more hours before assuming a piloting role,” Carstens said in the release. “Either way, the R-ATP allows students to enter the job market and start gaining airline experience more quickly. This can lead to an earlier start on seniority, which is critical for long-term career advancement in the aviation industry.”