Posted by Katie A. on Feb 28th 2022
Choosing a flight school can be very daunting. Choosing the type of flight school shouldn’t be hard. There are questions to ask yourself before starting flight training.
- Are you going to train full time or do you have a day job?
- Are you doing this for fun or as a career?
- Are you looking for a larger school or a smaller school?
- Do you excel at an accelerated pace?
Some of these questions are the difference between a Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 61 and Part 141 school.
Part 61 schools are very flexible.
Most of their instructors and students are only part time. This would be very beneficial to someone that has a regular job and cannot commit to flight training full time. If the instructor is available full time then of course the student can take advantage, but this type of school works best for students who do not have the time to spare for a full-time program. One benefit of this type of school is that the flight training can be customized. You are not restricted to a set schedule. You still have the same requirements as any other flight school but the instructor and student can decide what they would like to do for each lesson and spend more time on subjects the student is struggling with. Another benefit is that the student normally has their pick of instructors.
A more structured program will assign a student to an instructor. If the instructor and the student do not get along so well, it could be a lengthy process to switch, not to mention repeating lessons. These types of schools are typically smaller and can be found at almost every airport. The downside of using a Part 61 school is that it is up to the student to manage their own progress. The instructor is not restricted to any sort of timeline so it is up to the student to study on their own and stay current. Depending on the student’s level of motivation, it could be a less expensive option at face value.
Part 141 schools are regulated.
This means that they are subject to audits by the FAA. These types of schools are typically accelerated and generate a lot of pilots per term. They are perfect for students who are looking for a more structured and rigid program to complete their flight training in less time. Students of Part 141 programs generally are full time students. Those who graduate from a Part 141 program with their commercial rating and complete at least 60 hours of coursework are eligible to receive a Restricted ATP certificate. This allows the pilot to get an Air Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate in only 1,000 hours as opposed to 1,500. We will talk more about this in a later blog. This would be the biggest benefit to graduating from a Part 141 school, because it could mean you get to the airlines faster if you so choose.
This type of program is perfect for those students who are looking at aviation as a career, instead of just recreationally. Part 141 schools are fast-paced and you are expected to finish in the allotted time frame. These schools offer higher costs upfront but will save you money over time because you are completing your ratings quickly and efficiently. The pilots generally do very well in this type of course because they are flying, studying, and practicing every day. These schools are generally bigger in nature and are not found at every airport. Students may have to travel outside their local area to find this type of program.
There are pros and cons to each type of school. A program that works well for you may not work well for your best friend. It all depends on the learning style you relate to best and the time you can dedicate towards your ratings. One type is not necessarily better or faster than the other. It is all up to the student.