The Truth about Part 141 vs Part 61 Flight Training Options
TLDR
The trust about Part 61 vs Part 141 flight training options is that both are separate sections of the federal aviation regulations that detail the requirements that need to be met in order to become a pilot. Both sections create pilots and a pilot who trained under either can become any type of pilot. The FAA created Part 141 in order to have more oversight and slightly more rigid requirements of flight schools in exchange for students requiring slightly less minimum hours during training.
For example, Part 141 requires a minimum of 35 hours to become a private pilot while Part 61 requires a minimum of 40 hours. However, even with this lower requirement, students often choose to train under Part 61 because it is much more flexible. Part 61 allows students to choose their own ground training, choose their own instructor, train in their own aircraft, and complete their training their own way as long as they meet the requirements. Students only get the benefit of the lower minimum hours if they complete the training in the minimum amount, which is rare. Most students finish private pilot training between 60 and 80 hours.
As a student pilot you can train under the Part 61 set of Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) or under the Part 141 set. No matter which you choose you will still learn the same necessary set of knowledge and skills. Many students immediately jump to choosing a Part 141 program because there are slightly less hours required in order to achieve a pilot certificate. For example, to become a private pilot under Part 141 only 35 total hours minimum are required but under Part 61 you need 40 hours. However, I caution ALL students to learn more about the differences before choosing a Part 141 program. Because those that do… generally end up going with a Part 61 program, and for good reason. So let’s discuss Part 61 vs. Part 141 pilot training:
Part 141 Pilot Training
One of the most significant differences to new student pilots is that only part 141 approved flight schools may issue a Visa to an international student. International students can only be trained by schools that are approved in part 141 from the FAA. The FAA keeps a keener eye on part 141 schools, likely after 9/11 occurred and reviews all aspects of the schools on a continuous basis. You can read more about how an international student can do flight training in the US here.
Part 141 schools also have to have their training course outline or TCO approved by the FAA. The TCO includes all rules, procedures and flight training material included in the syllabus of instruction for your training. An approved TCO is an extension of FAA regulations and therefore must always be followed for training at a Part 141 school.
Stage checks are required in Part 141 schools but not at Part 61 schools. This will add extra preparation flights as well as stage check flights. There are 3 stage checks for a Private Pilot License plus a check flight before your final FAA exam. This adds at the very least 4 flights to your training. Not to mention the stage checks are conducted with a different instructor and may take more than one flight if you mess up on any of the maneuvers. Then, if you do not pass the stage check, you are required go back to flying with your instructor to review what you missed until you are ready to try again.
A Part 141 school requires that you take their ground school lessons outlined in their TCO. Unfortunately, many Part 141 schools add many unnecessary ground lessons and requirements to make more money this way.
There are however positives to a Part 141 school. As mentioned above, a Part 141 program for Private Pilot requires a minimum of 35 total hours while Part 61 requires 40 total hours. This 5 hours can save you a bit of money IF AND ONLY IF you finish in the minimum amount of hours. The majority of student pilots in America DO NOT finish in the minimum amount of hours but instead take about 65 to 70 hours to finish their Private Pilot training. In order to complete the training in the minimum amount of hours you need to flight at least 3-4 days a week so that the training and skill building is consistent. The average student pilot simply does not have the time or money to fly this often.
BUT… if you have the time or money to fly 3-4 times per week or more and you are planning on continuing on with your pilot ratings to become a commercial pilot then a Part 141 is actually a great choice for you. In fact, for instrument and commercial pilot ratings a Part 141 program also requires less hours. There are schools dedicated to getting you through your ratings as quickly as possible. These schools are called accelerated flight training programs and they operate under Part 141. We will talk more about these programs in a future article.
Part 61 Pilot Training
Part 61 does not require an approved TCO. Because of this, there is flexibility given to the students following Part 61 training. This flexibility allows the student to make more cost-effective decisions, study what THEY believe is important to study, and train on the timeline of their choice. Under Part 61 student pilots can use an Online Ground School or even self-study. Students can also fly in a flying club or purchase their own aircraft as long as they have a certified flight instructor to train with. The flexibility in choosing your training can save students a lot of money in the long run.
Part 61 schools do not require stage checks. There is little FAA oversight. An instructor that owns a plane and stores it in his/her barn can complete their training under Part 61 as long as you meet the applicable requirements and pass the required exams to receive your license.
One downside of a Part 61 is that many times instructors can be too loose with their instruction when not following a TCO. This often leads to skipping over material and not being diligent enough in flight training. Therefore, it is up to Part 61 students to do their homework on what is required and what their instructor needs to teach them. There are more responsibilities added to a student pilot in a Part 61 program.
The Modern Student Pilot
Before we give you our recommendation for Part 61 or Part 141 I want to talk about today’s student pilots. In today’s world with high costs of living and rising inflation it is rare for someone to have an extra $20,000, $50,000 or $100,000 lying around for a Private, IFR or Commercial pilot journey.
If you have the money, power to you! But if you are like I was during my pilot training you are going to need to keep a full time job to not only keep a roof over your head but also make enough to fund your pilot training.
This is why I named our company “Part Time Pilot” and this is why we focus on finding efficient and effective ways to save students both time and money. Pilot training is already difficult and the flight training industry is NOT helping. I saw an opportunity to be a flight training company that took the side of the student and provided a mentorship role throughout the process.
As we have grown and continue to grow we are adding more and more ways to make flight training more attainable for the modern student pilot… scholarships, audio lessons, an app (coming soon) and short and succinct written and video lessons that get straight to the point!
So even if our paths never cross again and you never use a Part Time Pilot training program I want you to be knowledgeable about the flight training industry. I don’t want to see you get taken advantage of for your money like I was. I want you to make it! And that is why we give out so much free and valuable content. If you ever have a question, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask!
So what is better Part 61 vs. Part 141?
One is not better than the other… it depends on your situation. I would say if you know you want to become a commercial pilot, if you have the money and if you are ready to study and flight train on a full time basis (5-6 days a week) then a Part 141 accelerated program is for you.
If you are like most of us and need to keep a job in order to finance your flight training then you probably wont have the time to train 5-6 days a week. In this case I highly recommend a Part 61 route for the flexibility.
No matter what route you choose it is important to note that both Part 61 and Part 141 will require you to learn the same skills and knowledge needed to be a pilot. Both Part 61 and Part 141 require you to pass the same Written Exam and the same Practical Checkride exam. The only differences are in how you get from A to B.
Furthermore, every school that is Part 141 certified can also accept Part 61 students. Unfortunately, many of them say that they cannot. This is not true, they just want students to be required to follow their curriculum because it makes things consistent for them and makes them more money (more requirements you must meet). With that said, I recommend any student first go through a ground school to get the required knowledge out the of the way first. Then, once you are done with ground school you will be more prepared for flight training.
The number 1 way to ensure your success in becoming a pilot is by properly managing your time & money
And the easiest way to properly manage your time & money is by doing ground school before it’s too late and ACTUALLY understanding the material
5 years ago I saw NO ONE mentoring unsuspecting students on the traps in flight training that was costing them $1000s
This is why I created the Part Time Pilot Online Ground Schools
The ground schools were created with these ideas at the heart of our mission statement:
- Mentoring students from start to finish
- Providing content that saves time & money & provides a deep understanding
How does Part Time Pilot compare to other Online Ground Schools?
I went to the website of each of the Top10 Online Ground Schools and gathered ALL the relevant info a student pilot like you needs to make an informed decision.
Things like cost, student ratings, lifetime access or not, types of lessons, bonuses included, scholarships included, support available and more.
Then, I lined them all up and compared them all in a single table so that student pilots could make the best, most informed decision on their training.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about the topic of the costs of flight training.
What are the Eligibility Requirements to become a Pilot?
In order to be eligible to become a private pilot, someone must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 16 years old when they fly solo
- Be at least 17 years when they receive their Private Pilot certificate
- Be able to read, speak, write and understand English
- Obtain at least a 3rd Class FAA Medical Certificate
- Hold a US Student Pilot Certificate
How to become a Private Pilot?
In order to become a Private Pilot, someone must first meet the eligibility requirements of:
- Be at least 16 years old when they fly solo
- Be at least 17 years when they receive their Private Pilot certificate
- Be able to read, speak, write and understand English
- Obtain at least a 3rd Class FAA Medical Certificate
- Hold a US Student Pilot Certificate
Then, they must meet the minimum hour requirements according to their type of training:
- 40 total hours minimum plus sub-requirements listed above in this article for Part 61 students
- 35 total hours minimum plus sub-requirements listed above in this article
Then, this person must receive endorsements for both the FAA knowledge exam and FAA practical checkride from the certified instructor who performed their training stating that they are ready for the specific exam.
Then, this person must pass the FAA knowledge exam with a 70% or higher prior to passing the FAA practical checkride oral and flight exam.
How Long does it take to become a Private Pilot?
This varies depending upon several factors but mostly on how often you perform flight training lessons and how quickly you progress through the lessons in the eyes of your flight instructor.
The FAA minimum number of hours to become a Private Pilot is 40 hours for Part 61 or 35 hours for Part 141. However, there are several underlying requirements such as solo flight hours, night flight hours, cross-country flight hours, simulated instrument flight hours, ground training and more. Even if you meet all minimum hour requirements, your flight instructor still needs to endorse you for your final checkride exam to become a pilot. In order for your instructor to endorse you, they must deem you proficient in all areas required by the FAA in the Airmen Certificate Standards (ACS) document.
Students that are able to progress and gain proficiency quickly while flying full-time (every day or every other day) can finish near the minimum hour requirement (35 to 50 hours) in about 2-3 months. These students also perform their ground training and have a good understanding of the knowledge prior to starting flight lessons.
Students that aren’t able to fly full-time but on the weekends or off-days from work are more likely to finish in 50-70 hours and in about 4-6 months.
And students that have gaps in their training lasting multiple weeks or that aren’t able to fly each week are going to finish in the higher range of 70-100 hours and 6 months to a year or more.
Can I get a PPL in 3 months or less?
Yes it is possible to get a Private Pilot certificate in 3 months or less if and only if you are flying multiple times per week, gaining proficiency in the required skills quickly and you have performed ground training at a high level prior to your flight lessons.
How long does it take to become an Airline Pilot?
The journey to becoming an airline pilot is a multi-stage process that typically takes 2.5 to 5 years from starting with no flight experience to being eligible for airline employment. This comprehensive timeline includes earning your Private Pilot Certificate (3-6 months), Instrument Rating (2-4 months), Commercial Pilot Certificate with multi-engine rating (6-12 months), and then gaining the crucial flight experience necessary for the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate, often by working as a flight instructor for 1.5 to 2.5 years to reach the required 1,000-1,500 flight hours. The final steps involve completing the ATP Certification Training Program and passing the ATP knowledge and practical tests, leading to readiness for airline interviews.
What's the fastest way to become a Private Pilot?
The fastest way to become a private pilot is all up to the student and the availability of their instructor and aircraft rental. Other factors such as weather, aircraft maintenance and a student’s finances also come into play. It doesn’t matter if you are training under Part 141 or Part 61 for the following things to help you achieve your private pilot license in as little time and as little money as possible:
- Perform ground school first and use a comprehensive ground school and written test prep
- Pass the FAA Written before or early in your training
- Fly as often as possible 4-6 times per week with no breaks
- Try to fly with the same aircraft and instructor throughout your training
- Fly when the weather has the best chances of being clear and stable
- Come to each flight lesson prepared for the flight
How many Solo hours are required to become Private Pilot?
For students flying under Part 61 there are 10 solo hours required and for students flying under Part 141 there are 5 solo hours required as a minimum.
Can I use a Flight Simulator for Private Pilot hours?
Yes, you can use a simulator for the hours required for instrument flight. But there is a maximum amount of hours that can count towards your minimum hour requirements for a private pilot certificate and it must be on a FAA approved flight simulator. The time must also be conducted with instructor supervision.
FAA-Approved Devices Only: The simulator time must be conducted in an FAA-approved Aviation Training Device (ATD), Flight Training Device (FTD), or Full Flight Simulator (FFS). This means your home computer flight simulator (like Microsoft Flight Simulator or X-Plane) does not count towards logged hours.
Specific Hour Limits:
- Under Part 61 rules: You can log a maximum of 2.5 hours of FAA-approved flight simulator time. Crucially, this 2.5 hours can only be applied towards the instrument training requirement.
- Under Part 141 rules: If you are training at an FAA-approved Part 141 flight school, you can credit a slightly higher percentage: a maximum of 4 hours of training in an approved flight simulator or flight training device.
Instructor Supervision: Any simulator time that counts towards your certificate minimums must be logged with an authorized instructor present and providing instruction. The instructor must sign your logbook entry.
Is it worth it to get a Private Pilot License?
Yes! But this depends heavily on your goals. If you want to have the maximum amount of privileges as a pilot with the minimum amount of training then a Private Pilot certificate is worth it. If you want to become an Airline Pilot or fly as a career then you are required to first get a Private Pilot certificate and in that case, it would be worth it as well. So whether you want to be a hobby pilot and able to fly family or friends from state to state or you want to fly for the Airlines one day, a Private Pilot certificate is the best choice. This is why Private Pilot certificates are by far the most popular certificate in the US.
What is the Cheapest Way to become a Pilot?
The cheapest way to become a pilot explained step by step in Part Time Pilot’s free email course called “How to Become a Pilot and Save Money” and summarized below. There is no one trick or one flight school that allows a student pilot to save the most money. Rather, it is a series of things student pilots can prepare and plan ahead for that will make their flight training journey as cheap and as stress-free as possible. Some of those things are:
- Doing Ground School before Flight Training
- Doing a complete Ground School & understanding the concepts in the material rather than just doing FAA Written Test Prep
- Planning ahead financially instead of flying paycheck to paycheck
- Doing flight training at a Flying Club
- Doing flight training in rural parts of the US
- Taking time off work and avoiding travel during flight training
- Flying during the sunniest months of the year
- Buying your own aircraft if you plan to fly a significant amount after receiving a Private Pilot certificate
- And more outlined in the Free “How to Become a Pilot & Save Money” course
