| When it comes to flight schools, there are only two | | | | One of the advantages of a part 141 school is the |
| categories they fall under. Part 141 and part 61. Both | | | | reduced number of hours you need before taking |
| of these types of schools reference a different | | | | your practical exam. A part 141 school requires 35 |
| section to the FAA regulations that govern them. | | | | hours, while a part 61 requires 40 hours of flight time. |
| Part 61 schools seem to be the most common and | | | | In reality, it takes the average student pilot over 50 |
| are the route most recreational pilots take to get | | | | hours or more before they're ready for your |
| their license. You'll still have to prove your proficiency | | | | checkride. |
| during the written and practical exam and your | | | | Which school is better? There are too many variables |
| instructor will still teach you everything you need to | | | | to fairly answer that question. What type of aircraft |
| know. The difference lies in part 61 of the FAR/AIM | | | | does the school have? What's your Certified Flight |
| or Federal Aviation Regulations/Aeronautical | | | | Instructors goals? Are they just trying to build hours |
| Information Manual. | | | | before heading off to a better job? All these and |
| Part 61 of the FAR/AIM states what a student must | | | | more need to be answered when you're looking at |
| do before taking their checkride or practical exam, | | | | where to get your flight training. |
| but it doesn't specifically set out a curriculum that | | | | The bottom line is, you'll get as much out of your |
| must be followed. Whatever way your instructor | | | | instruction as you put into it. There are plenty of |
| wants to teach these skills to you, is up to them. | | | | outstanding pilots who come out of mediocre schools |
| You just have to know them before you get your | | | | and plenty of mediocre pilots who come out of |
| pilots certificate. It can sometimes lead to more | | | | outstanding aircraft schools. You're the only one who |
| hours than you needed and extra money being | | | | will determine what kind of pilot you are. |
| spent. But, it also gives a good quality instructor the | | | | As you move on to your more advanced ratings, |
| latitude to teach his or her own way. | | | | you may find it's advantageous to follow the part 141 |
| With a part 141 school, the FAA has a strict set of | | | | route with the reduced flight hours requirement. For |
| guidelines that must be followed in the teaching | | | | example, if you move on to your instrument flight |
| process. These are so specific they even lay out | | | | training, you'll save yourself a good amount of money |
| how many instructors must be on hand per student. | | | | and time because you don't need to have the 50 |
| Again, you'll still learn everything you need to know | | | | hours of time as pilot-in-command. If your average |
| to be a good pilot, but you'll have a very direct and | | | | aircraft rental is $100 per hour, that will instantly save |
| well defined route you'll take to get there. The FAA | | | | you $5000 in your training. Some of that savings is |
| also lays out specific progress checks along the way | | | | compensated for by a slightly higher fee charged by |
| to make sure you don't move forward in your | | | | most part 141 flight schools. |
| training before you're ready. | | | | |