What does ATP require for students before they can complete a solo?

To complete a solo flight under ATP's training program, students are required to have completed ground school. This requirement ensures that students have a fundamental understanding of aviation concepts, regulations, weather, navigation, and aircraft systems, which is crucial for safe and effective decision-making in a solo flight scenario. Ground school provides the theoretical knowledge that supports the practical skills learned during flight training, thereby enhancing the student's overall competency and readiness to operate an aircraft solo.

While other factors, such as flight hours and medical certification, are indeed important in the flight training process, the specific requirement for solo flight emphasizes the completion of ground school as a critical step in ensuring that students possess a solid foundational knowledge before they take on the responsibility of flying alone.