Part 61 or Part 141?

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

Which do you prefer from a student, instructor, or any other standpoint? I’ve done all my training (Commercial) in 61 so far; interested to hear weather the savings in money is a win, win situation training in a 141-program environment.

TA

 

[FmrFreightDog]

I did all my flight training and instructing Pt. 61, and I would highly recommend it. The benefits to a 141 school are generally an accelerated pace and a highly standardized program. However, with 61 schools, you can do it as you like, which is nice if you are trying to work at the same time. Also, the instructors I had during my 61 training ranged from young guys fresh out of 141 programs to one crusty old guy who had been instructing for 30 years and had some unique insights that I feel like I might have missed out on otherwise. The one caveat that goes with recommending Part 61 programs is this: Do your research well before you get too involved with one. Make sure they take their maintainence seriously and make sure the school's owner is a reasonably straight up guy (or girl). There are all kinds of schools out there. Make sure you pick a good one.

Oh... if you do choose to go the 141 route, don't limit yourself by getting an aviation degree. But that's a different soapbox for a different time.

 

[de727ups]

Part 61

Has more flexibility and can be just as good as 141. The flight time advantages of 141 aren't much of a benefit, in reality, because most guys exceed the minimums, anyway, and low time pilots need the total time.

 

[bobbysamd]

The old 61 v. 141 debate

I trained under Part 61 and most of my aviation work experience was in 141 schools, so I feel I've seen it from both sides of the desk.

My Part 61 experience might be different than both because I trained over a period of years and I used instructors who owned their own airplanes and were doing it as a sideline. Also, I had not set out originally to be a professional pilot, so dragging out my training wasn't a problem except that it wasn't conducive to a quality training experience.

Having said all that, while Part 61 provides a great deal of flexibility and far less formality, there is something to be said about 141's discipline, organization and standardization. 141 is school, and all that school implies. You have to prepare for each training activity thoroughly and you train on a regular schedule. That builds momentum and continuity, which will help you learn faster and better. You have to meet certain standards for each phase of training before moving on to the next phase. That helps assure that any weaknesses in your training which could impact your flying have been addressed. The standardization helps you prepare for training for the flying jobs you really want. Training for those jobs is highly standardized and probably stricter than even the toughest 141 school. Better to get a taste of it during your formative period than later when your habit patterns are ingrained.

I agree with FmrFreightDog about doing plenty of research. I think my best reference for 141 schools is me. My 141 students were further ahead than I was at similar points in training.

 

[Toy Soldier]

Bobbysamd brings up a good point about the difference in training. I feel that this is due in part to the fact that a lot of part 61 instructors don't like to use a syllabus.

I personally use a GLEIM syllabus for all of my training. Therefore, I feel that my training is just as good as a 141 school. The only real difference between a 61 CFI using a syllabus and a 141 school would probably be Chief pilot " stage checks, etc. However, I use a friend of mine to do "stage checks" with my students.

Also, the 141 school will give more structured ground training than a 61 CFI. I'll have to admit though, I do make my students study on their own versus a "structured class" for most of their learning.

Summary, if both schools (61 and 141) use the same syllabus, then there probably isn't much difference in the quality of training-only in the "technique" that information is being taught/learned. I always advise folks to make sure that their instructor uses a syllabus so that their training IS structured and thorough.