jasongreen

I was wondering if someone could help me understand what is the difference. I know that one has ground school and the other one doesn't. The school that I am taking my flight training at doesn't have a ground school, which one is that? I know that some have different restrictions on getting your commercial certificate (Some need 190 hours, others 250 hours.) I was also wondering what you have to go through flight time wise to get your commercial. I know the requirements, but what is the training?

de727ups

61 can have ground school or not, it's just not a formal requirement like it is under 141. Personally, I'd rather skip formal ground school and read a book/do a CD course, but that's just me.

141 allows for a commercial at 190 hours but you have to follow a strict, inflexible, and often times expensive, course of instruction. Part 61 is 250 hours but 50 could be instruction in a FAA approved ground trainer. The difference in training is minimal. In the end, you get the same piece of paper (it's actually plastic now).

Ewfflyer

To add to that, a 141 school will advertise itself as one. Most of the large college and "Pilot Factory" programs are 141. As far as the outright experience, you can get benefits from both that the other will not offer, main thing being flexibility with the part 61, but the structure of 141 is sometimes needed for people needing that drive/motivation factor.

Iflyfr8

Unless you are planing on getting a 4 year degree with your certificates, there is little or no need to attend a 141 school. I have attended both and I have worked at both. Yes there is reduction in total time if you are attending a 141 school (towards your commercial), but you are probably going to pay for all your flight time up to about 250 hours anyway. You would have to look at the total cost. And some FBO schools do both and can help you make a choice.

What it boils down to is the school it self. You need to find one that will help you and look after you. Are you going to get what are setting out to do in the time frame you would like it done. How much is it going to cost you? This is the hard part and takes a little research.

Most of your studying is going to be like most other education programs. A lot of it is dependent on your level of involvement. Do you need structure in order to learn or are you good at getting it done on your own?

GL,

Photon

part 61 schools still do the IR part 141 I hope? Looking at the FARs you would need 50h cross country otherwise?

rickair7777

I have trained, worked at, and managed both 61 and 141 operations.

Only a part 141 certified school can conduct 141 training. Most smaller schools don't bother with 141, the only real advantage is that education benefits for US military veterans require the use of a 141 school for flight training. 141 certification involves jumping through some hoops, recurrecnt inspection, and LOTS of paperwork. 141 schools usually charge more, so you may as well do 61 and get more logged flight hours for your money.


In part 61 training, you normally accomplish the 50 hours x-country as time building for your commercial, so it's not an "extra" 50 hours. In 61 you don't need to do ratings or time building in any particular order...you just need to meet the published requirements on the day you take your checkride.

I would only do 141 if I had a VERY good reason to do so (GI benefits, etc).

Photon

On a time basis, do you find that taking the 141 route makes the education go faster or slower?

snippercr

I've had the opportunity to train both part 61 and part 141. I got my private and instrument at an FBO under part 61 and I am training at a part 141 school (University of Illinois) for my commercial - although technically I am getting my commercial under part 61, its being conducted as if I am part 141: IE, specific ground school, very strict lessons and schedule.

Having said that, I prefer part 61 over part 141 for various reasons. My private and instrument all the book work I basically taught myself. Read the books, watched some DVDs and any questions I took to my flight instructor. I passed both checkrides with no problems and the writtens I scored over 90% each time.

The main reason I am at a 141 school is for a degree and the equipment. My part 61 school the airplanes were older than me and almost every piece of equipment was INOP. Its a bit more expensive here but the aircraft are amazing. They have a top notch mech program that keeps the aircraft fully operational all the time.

Another main reason I do not like part 141 is how strict they are about various things. Part 61 I need to do an IFR X-country, I go to airport. Get an Airplane and its off we go. I take my own responsibility to plan and do what ever I think is necessary for a safe and in-regulation flight. If I wanted to fly in IFR or even LIFR weather I could. I have no problem shooting approaches to minimums - provided other factors are considered (Winds, time of day, type of approach).

Here, in order to do IFR Xcountry, not only are you limited to select locations but the PROCESS to actually get wheels up is crazy! First you have to plan the route which is straight forward. You then need to get it review and checked by your instructor. They then have to sign your institute logbook authorizing that flight. Then you have to show up day/night of flight to get your weather mins signed off by the duty pilot who "Supervises" you. Then you need to get signed off by dispatch. Oh did I mention weather minimums? Day time the weather mins are 2000 feet ceilings and 3 mile visibility and night is 3000 feet ceilings and 5 miles visibility. Plus if there are thunderstorms in the area forecast you are not allowed to go. Even if the storms are in southern state, moving south and you are in northern state going north.

Just so it seems like I am not entirely anti-141, I do feel the checkrides and orals are a bit more in depth and intense than any of my 61s have been (I have to take a "proficiency exam" over the summer which was the equivalent of their instrument checkride/oral and it was a bit more intense, although i still passed).

So that is my take on 141 vs 61.

soldierboy

What about these small aviation schools that only have a couple different types of planes and not a well-known school. Do employers care where you get your certificates or is it all the same?

freezingflyboy

No body really cares. As has been said its all the same certificate whether your training came from Mom and Pop FBO out at Podunk County Field in an ancient 150 with peeling paint or if you went to a fancy school with brand new airplanes, glass cockpits and instructors with neato epaulets (those shoulder thingies airline pilots wear). Sure it might be cool to list a bunch of different aircraft types flown but truthfully, with very few exceptions one piston single is about the same as another piston single. What you really need to be concerned with is does the school have enough aircraft and instructors to accommodate your training at the pace you'd like to pursue it.