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ATR 72-600 Type Rating: The Complete Guide for Indian CPL Pilots (2026)

You cleared your CPL. You have your hours logged. Now comes the step that actually gets you into an airline cockpit. Your type rating.

For many Indian pilots, the ATR 72-600 type rating is the first commercial aircraft endorsement they pursue.

It opens doors to IndiGo’s regional operations and a strong footing in India’s fast-growing aviation sector.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know — eligibility, training structure, cost, and what comes after.

ATR 72-600 Type Rating
ATR 72-600 Type Rating

What Is the ATR 72-600 and Why Does It Matter for Your Career?

The ATR 72-600 is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft built by ATR (Avions de Transport Régional), a Franco-Italian manufacturer. With a capacity of up to 78 passengers, it is one of the most widely operated regional aircraft globally and in India.

IndiGo, India’s largest airline by fleet size and market share, operates a growing fleet of ATR 72-600 aircraft alongside its Airbus A320 family, making the ATR 72-600 type rating a direct gateway to one of India’s biggest employers of pilots.

A type rating is not just another certificate. It is a mandatory DGCA certification that qualifies you to fly a specific aircraft type under multi-crew and airline SOP conditions. Without a valid type rating, even a fresh CPL holder cannot be hired as a First Officer by any major Indian airline.

📘 Want a broader picture?
Read: Pre-Type Rating Course: What It Is, Who Needs It & How to Prepare

ATR 72-600 Type Rating Eligibility: What You Need Before You Enroll

Before you begin your ATR 72-600 type rating, you must meet these DGCA prerequisites:

  • Valid DGCA CPL(A) or ATPL(A) with an Instrument Rating (IR)
  • Minimum 200 total flight hours (with at least 100 hours as Pilot in Command)
  • Multi-Engine Rating (ME) — the ATR 72-600 is a twin-engine aircraft
  • Valid Class 1 DGCA Medical Certificate
  • RTR(A) licence issued by the WPC Wing, Ministry of Communications
  • FRTO (Flight Radio Telephony Operator’s Licence)
  • MCC (Multi-Crew Cooperation) certificate — completed before or as part of type rating
  • ICAO English Language Proficiency Level 4 minimum

The ATR 72-600 type rating programme for Indian CPL holders must comply with DGCA India requirements, and approved training organisations (ATOs) abroad structure their courses specifically to align with DGCA standards so that the rating is valid for Indian airline operations.

If you are yet to clear your DGCA ground theory exams or haven’t completed your MCC, those are the milestones to focus on first. FMS Aviation Academy can guide you through every stage, from DGCA exam preparation to airline readiness.

📘 Not sure where you stand?
Read: How to Become a Pilot in India — Step-by-Step Guide

ATR 72-600 Type Rating Syllabus: What the Course Covers

The ATR 72-600 type rating follows a structured, three-phase curriculum.

Phase 1: Ground School and Computer-Based Training (CBT)

Theoretical knowledge instruction typically consists of approximately 116 programmed academic training hours across 16 training days. It includes computer-based training (CBT), mock-up of a flight deck, classroom instruction, practical training and examinations, limitations, mass and balance calculations, Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) performance tables, and operational procedures training.

Ground school covers:

  • ATR 72-600 aircraft systems (fuel, hydraulics, pressurisation, avionics, electrical)
  • Performance — take-off, landing, climb, cruise data
  • Weight and balance calculations
  • Emergency and abnormal procedures
  • Crew resource management (CRM) and multi-crew cooperation
  • PBN (Performance-Based Navigation) and UPRT (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training)

Phase 2: Full Flight Simulator (FFS) Training

This is the heart of the type rating. You train on a Level D Full Flight Simulator, the highest fidelity sim available, which replicates ATR 72-600 systems, handling, and weather conditions in real time.

The simulator portion typically involves 44 hours of Full Flight Simulator time, including LOFT (Line-Oriented Flight Training) and skills tests.

Simulator sessions cover:

  • Normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures
  • Engine failures, rejected take-offs, and instrument approaches
  • LOFT scenarios that mirror real airline operations
  • Licence Skill Test (LST) conducted by a certified Type Rating Examiner (TRE)

Phase 3: Line Training and Type Rating Issuance

Upon successful completion of ground school and simulator training, the ATO submits training records to the competent authority and the ATR 72-600 type rating is officially endorsed on the pilot’s licence. For Indian pilots, this is endorsed as per DGCA CAR requirements.

Some ATOs also include limited base training, actual flights on the ATR 72-600 aircraft, especially for pilots without prior complex aircraft experience.

How Long Does the ATR 72-600 Type Rating Take?

The ATR 72-600 initial type rating as per DGCA India requirements lasts approximately 40 days, including rest days. For EASA-compliant programmes (which many Indian pilots pursue abroad), the duration is approximately 38 days.

Most approved ATOs structure the programme as a continuous 5–6 week course with no gaps between phases, ensuring knowledge retention from ground school to simulator.

ATR 72-600 Type Rating Cost in India: What to Budget

The ATR 72-600 type rating cost for Indian pilots (DGCA-compliant) generally ranges between:

₹12,00,000 – ₹18,00,000 (approximately USD 14,000–22,000)

This typically includes:

  • Ground school / CBT access
  • Full Flight Simulator hours (40–44 hours)
  • Examiner fees for Licence Skill Test
  • Course materials and AFM access

Costs that are usually separate:

  • Return flights to training location
  • Accommodation and living expenses (5–6 weeks)
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • DGCA endorsement and documentation fees

Budget carefully. The total out-of-pocket cost including travel and accommodation can add ₹3–5 lakh above the course fee.

📘 Understand the full financial picture: Cost of Becoming a Pilot in India 2026

ATR 72-600 vs. Boeing 737 vs. Airbus A320: Which Type Rating Should You Choose?

This is the most common question among fresh CPL holders. Here’s a straightforward comparison:

FactorATR 72-600Boeing 737Airbus A320
Aircraft typeTwin-engine turbopropNarrow-body jetNarrow-body jet
Primary marketRegional / domesticDomestic + internationalDomestic + international
Type rating cost (India)₹12–18 lakh₹18–28 lakh₹18–28 lakh
Key Indian operatorIndiGo (regional)SpiceJet, Air IndiaIndiGo, Air India, Akasa
Entry for low-hours pilotsMore accessibleRequires more experienceRequires more experience

The ATR is ideal for pilots starting in regional airlines — it offers hands-on operational experience, often in challenging weather and at demanding airports — making it an excellent foundation for a long airline career.

For most Indian CPL holders with 200–500 total hours, the ATR 72-600 type rating is the most accessible and strategically sound first step. Jet type ratings can follow once you have airline hours on your licence.

📘 Also explore:
Boeing 737 Type Rating — Complete Guide for Indian Pilots

Pre-Type Rating Preparation: How to Get Ready

A type rating is expensive and time-limited. You cannot afford to arrive unprepared. Most candidates invest 4–8 weeks in pre-type rating preparation before the course begins.

What to prepare:

  • ATR 72-600 aircraft systems — study the major systems thoroughly before day one
  • Performance and mass & balance calculations — these appear in the written exam
  • Normal and emergency procedures — memorise checklists and flows
  • Instrument procedures — brush up on IFR approaches, holds, and departures
  • CRM principles — especially crew communication in multi-pilot environments

FMS Aviation Academy’s Pre-Type Rating Course is specifically designed for this preparation window. It covers systems, procedures, performance, and simulator preparation. Arrive at your ATO confident and exam-ready from day one.

🎯 Explore FMS’s Pre-Type Rating Course

Join FMS Aviation Academy

  • 4 Ground School Locations: Ahmedabad, Surat, Delhi (Upcoming in Dehradun)

  • AI-Powered Learning Platform: India’s first smart DGCA preparation system

  • Expert Instruction: Learn directly from a Senior Airline Captain

  • One-on-One Counselling & Mentorship at every stage

  • Career-Focused Training: From DGCA exams to cadet programmes & airline selection

  • Trusted Track Record: 300+ students trained successfully across India

  • 5+ Partner Flying Schools for seamless flight training pathways

  • 10+ Years of Aviation Training Experience

  • Concept-Based Learning: Real understanding over rote memorization

  • Transparent Guidance: No misleading approvals or inflated claims

Ready to take your career to the next level?
Speak with FMS Aviation Academy’s pilot career advisors today.
📞 Contact FMS Aviation Academy

FAQs: ATR 72-600 Type Rating

Author

Picture of Devyani Gusain

Devyani Gusain

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