Delta Professional Services (DPS), a leader in providing premier flight training and aviation standards, is celebrating 10 years of the FAA-mandated Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP). Since launching in 2016 at the Delta Aircrew Training Center, the program has prepared thousands of aspiring commercial pilots for the next step in their aviation careers.

The program has steadily grown by focusing on a high-quality, practical training environment. By offering immersive training on the Delta Air Lines campus in Atlanta, students gain access to full-motion simulators, real-world airline insights, and world-class instructors with years of industry experience. This focus on quality is reflected in the program’s Net Promoter Score of 97.4%, indicating high satisfaction among graduates.

Over the last decade, the program has scaled to train more than 1,500 students annually, expanding its footprint from Atlanta to include an additional training location in Phoenix, Arizona.

DPS President Marc Lippens praised the ATP-CTP program as a “cornerstone of our company’s growth strategy,” noting that it has evolved into “an elite program that continues to set the bar in commercial aviation training, offering the industry’s only full-immersion experience on a major air carrier campus. My sincere congratulations and thanks to all who contribute to the success of this program.”

While the program originally drew many students from military backgrounds, it has increasingly expanded its reach into the private sector. The core appeal remains the opportunity to train in an environment that closely mirrors active mainline operations.

“The core purpose of our ATP-CTP program is to bridge the gap for pilots transitioning from military and private backgrounds into Part 121 commercial operations,” said Captain Robert Skinner, FRAeS, Senior Vice President of DPS. “It stands as one of our premier training products, specifically engineered to deliver the precise skills, discipline, and real-world operational readiness aviators need for success at the major airline level.”

For many students, the value extends beyond the curriculum to the professional network built during the course. Chester Peyton, a DPS ATP-CTP graduate who now flies for Delta Air Lines, shared his experience:

“The interactions I had with Delta Professional Services and Delta employees allowed me to hear firsthand from those who choose to be at Delta. The biggest value for me came from conversations with others in my class, guest speakers, and DPS instructors who are current or former Delta pilots. For me, the ATP-CTP was more than just a fulfillment of an FAA requirement; it helped me think more clearly about the future of my aviation career.”

As the aviation industry continues to evolve, the program remains focused on its original mission. ATP-CTP Program Manager LaTasha Ricks shares that the program will continue to serve as a pipeline for future pilots, “connecting students to the aviation industry and preparing them to meet the demands of a highly technical, safety-driven, and rapidly evolving field.”

With a decade of training complete, DPS looks forward to welcoming the next generation of pilots through its doors.

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