Part 61 vs. 141 Flight Schools

A number of years ago I got my pilot’s license at a Part 141 flight school. Before enrolling, one of the first decisions I had to make was whether I wanted to train there or at a Part 61 operation. So, I had to do some research to figure out the difference between Part 61 and 141 flight schools.

Flight schools operating under Part 141 are required to use a structured training program and syllabus reviewed and approved by the FAA, which allows students to obtain their pilot license(s) at a reduced number of hours compared to Part 61 flight schools which offer a more flexible, less structured environment.

There isn’t a right or wrong decision when it comes to Part 141 or 61 flight schools, but the choice you make will have important implications on your training in several ways.

This post aims to explore some of the differences between training under a Part 141 or Part 61 flight school to help you make the most informed decision.

Table of Contents

Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations covers Aeronautics and Space, and is where all Federal Aviation Regulations can be found. Parts 61 and 141 are specific subsections of the regulations.

Part 61 defines requirements for pilots, flight instructors, and ground instructors.

Part 141 describes the requirements of flight schools.

When you receive flight training you are working towards your requirements set out within Part 61, unless you are receiving training at a school that meets Part 141 requirements.

Flight schools that meet Part 141 requirements must use a structured training program and syllabus reviewed and approved by the FAA.

Part 141 schools must graduate at least 10 students each 24 months and also achieve at least an 80% pass rate on their students’ first attempt of knowledge and practical tests. These schools are also subject to audits and inspections to ensure their compliance.

The trade off is that students in Part 141 schools have slightly lower flight hour requirements for various licenses and ratings (discussed below) than the requirements listed in Part 61.

A flight school may choose to provide flight training under either Part 61 or Part 141 or in some instances, a flight school may give the option to train under either Part.

Because a Part 141 flight school’s program is standardized, they are able to take on more students and move them through their program quicker than a Part 61 flight school.

Part 61 schools typically see a smaller volume of students which allows them to customize training for their students, however it could take longer to get your rating using this approach.

When choosing between training under Part 61 or Part 141 you should consider whether the more structured program at a Part 141 school or the flexible training program from a Part 61 school is the right fit for your learning style and schedule. Even though this structure vs. flexibility tradeoff is important, it should not be the only factor affecting your decision.

What are the requirements to obtain each pilot certificate under Parts 61 vs. 141?

The biggest difference as a student under either Part 141 or Part 61 is the minimum hours required to obtain your license. In general, you will get your private pilot’s and commercial pilot’s certificates at a reduced number of hours by training at a Part 141 school.

The reduction of hours will be different depending one whether you are training for a private pilot or commercial pilot certificate. There are also differences in hours when training for an Instrument rating.

Private Pilot’s Certificate Requirements in Part 61 vs. 141 Flight Schools

Student pilots are required to have 40 minimum flight hours (10 of which are solo) to become eligible to receive their Private Pilot’s Certificate under Part 61. Pilots training at a Part 141 flight school only need 35 minimum flight hours (5 of which are solo) to be eligible.

	Part 61	Part 141
Minimum Flight Hours	40	35
Solo Hours	10	5

It is worth noting that even though you have the possibility to obtain your private pilot’s certificate at a reduced number of hours via training through a Part 141 school it will more than likely take you more than 35 hours, the average time is between 60 and 70 hours.

Since it could take longer than 40 hours to complete your Private Pilot Certificate at a Part 141 school you may not notice a difference in the hours needed to complete your rating, however you still have the option to try to take advantage of this reduction in hours.

Link to verbatim regulations:

Related reading for your private pilot’s license (articles on AirplaneAcademy.com):

Instrument Rating Requirements in Part 61 vs. 141 Flight Schools

Pilots seeking their instrument rating must have 40 instrument training flight hours and 50 cross country hours under Part 61 requirements. Pilots training at a Part 141 flight school need only 35 instrument training hours for their instrument rating, and there is no minimum cross country requirement.

	Part 61	Part 141
Instrument Training Hours	40	35
Cross Country Hours	50	N/A

Probably the biggest advantage of training under a Part 141 flight school for your instrument rating is the fact that unlike Part 61, there are no minimum cross country hours required.

If you are a lower hour pilot, fresh off your private pilot certificate training under a Part 141 school for your instrument training might be the way to go.

Link to verbatim regulations:

Related reading for your instrument rating (articles on AirplaneAcademy.com):

Commercial Pilot’s License Requirements in Part 61 vs. 141 Flight Schools

Pilots seeking their Commercial Pilot’s License under Part 61 need at least 250 total flight hours including 100 pilot-in-command, 50 cross country, and 20 hours with an instructor completing specific requirements. Under Part 141, pilots only need a minimum of 190 total hours, including 120 hours used towards flight training and 55 hours training with an instructor completing specific requirements.

	Part 61	Part 141
Minimum Flight Hours	250 Total 100 PIC 50 Cross-Country	190 Total 120 Hours of flight training
Hours Training with Instructor	20, including at least: 10 hours instrument 10 hours complex One 2 hour daytime cross-country (>100 NM) 2 hours night time cross country (>100 NM). 3 hours 2 calendar months days prior to test	55, including at least: 10 hours instrument 10 hours complex One 2 hour daytime cross-country (>100 NM) 2 hours night time cross country (>100 NM) 3 hours 60 days prior to test

The differences in Minimum Flight Hours between Part 61 and Part 141 Flight Schools are more significant when training for a Commercial Pilot’s License.

In addition to a sixty hour increase in minimum flight hours (from 190 to 250) the requirements for a Commercial Pilot’s Certificate under Part 61 include 100 PIC and 50 Cross-Country hours.

The requirements for 100 PIC and 50 Cross-Country hours are waived under Part 141 but 120 you must have 120 hours of flight training accumulated.

Finally, the hours required training with an instructor are 20 under Part 61 and 55 under Part 141.

For a lower hour pilot, training in a Flight 141 might be the best route to take even with the additional requirement for 55 hours training with an instructor.

If you took your time with just your private pilot’s license and were able to build hours before considering the commercial rating you might consider training under a Part 61 school to take advantage of the reduced instructor hours.

Do you need an instrument rating to get a commercial pilot’s license?

Under Part 61 requirements, you do not need an instrument rating to receive your commercial pilot’s license. However, an important caveat to getting your instrument rating in a Part 61 vs. Part 141 program is that Part 141 (see Part 141 Appendix D, Subsection 2(b)(2)) requires students to either already have their instrument rating, or be enrolled in an instrument rating program and have already passed the written test, prior to receiving their commercial license.

For many pilots this won’t even be an issue or a consideration, since it is common to get your instrument rating prior to your commercial license.

However, not all commercial pilots even need their instrument rating (scenic tour pilots, agriculture pilots i.e. crop dusting, etc.), and will need to watch out for this requirement.

For example, if you are wanting your private pilot’s certificate as well as your commercial pilot’s license, a 141 program will require you to also be working towards your instrument rating. If you do not wish to get your instrument rating now or ever, then this might make Part 61 training your only suitable option.

One more important thing to consider is that if you plan to get your ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) certificate, you will need you instrument rating. See more in our article comparing private pilot, commercial pilot, and ATP certificates.

Link to verbatim regulations:

Related reading for your commercial pilot’s license (articles on AirplaneAcademy.com):

Is there a cost difference between Part 61 and 141 flight schools?

There is a potential for cost savings with the reduced hours afforded by training via a Part 141 flight school however, completing all the requirements at the minimum required hours could prove to be difficult.

Unlike Part 61 flight schools Part 141 schools require ground training under their program which can carry additional fees. Also, Part 141 schools tend to be located in more populated areas with higher costs of living, which could lead to higher training costs.

Part 61 schools offer the potential for cost reduction by offering a more customized training plan without the requirement for fees for a ground training portion.

Also in contrast to Part 141 flight schools Part 61 schools may be located in more affordable areas leading to cost reduction in training.

In the end the biggest factor affecting pricing for your pilot certificates will be how efficient you are in your training and how well the style of the school fits you.

If you end up having to repeat lessons because you are flying infrequently out of a Part 61 Flight School or if you are having to travel a lot to get to a Part 141 flight school and you are not getting the most out of each of the lessons your cost will be affected.

If you would like a more in depth look at pricing for Private Pilot’s License you should look at our article on Private Pilot’s License (PPL) Cost + Ways to Save.

Training Environment of Part 61 vs. 141 Schools

Part 141 flight schools offer a more “structured” training environment when compared to Part 61 Flight schools. Some of the structured aspects include a ground school portion and stage checks, neither of which are required by Part 61 flight schools.

Part 61 flight schools tend to be a lot smaller and you will likely be working with only one instructor during your training.

This could be seen as a positive in terms of directly scheduling with your instructor around your time; however, it could also slow you down if your instructor were to not be available.

For more reading, see our review article on training at American Flyers, a Part 141 School.

What happens if I transfer from a Part 61 to a Part 141 school or vice versa?

There are certain limitations when transferring training hours between Part 61 and Part 141 training programs.

Transferring from Part 141 to a Part 61 Flight School

If you transfer from a Part 141 school to a Part 61 school, you are able to credit all of the training hours you received in your Part 141 program towards your Part 61 pilot requirements.

Transferring from Part 61 to a Part 141 Flight School

Per 141.77, if you transfer from a Part 61 school to a Part 141 school you may be credited up to 25% of the flight training requirements after completing proficiency and knowledge tests at the incoming school.

For example, if you completed 20 hours of flight training at a Part 61 flight school and wanted to transfer to a Part 141 school, you could receive credit for 5 of these hours (25% of 20) at the Part 141 school.

Transferring from Part 141 to Part 141 Flight School

Per 141.67, if you transfer from a Part 141 to another Part 141 flight school, you may credit up to 50% of your flight training at the new school.

For example, if you completed 20 hours of flight training at a Part 141 flight school and wanted to transfer to a different Part 141 school, you could receive credit for 10 of these hours (50% of 20) at the new school.

As you can see, transferring schools can pose a significant setback to your flight training goal timeline however if for some reason you have to switch schools you still have an option and not all your progress will be lost.

If you have any questions about transferring hours, be sure to call your local flight school who can give you direct input on your unique situation.

Do airlines prefer part 141 training over part 61?

There is no difference for the airlines whether you have completed your training under Part 61 or Part 141. The expectation is that the standards and quality of training are comparable regardless of whether you trained at a Part 61 or Part 141 school.

Whether you trained at a Part 61 or Part 141 school should not be a factor when evaluating a career as an airline pilot. Other factors such as having a CFI or CFII, or a 4 year degree could strengthen your resume towards an airline career more than the fact of what part you trained under.

That being said, if from the beginning you know that getting into the airlines is your goal, training under a Part 141 flight school might be the right choice for you. Many Part 141 flight schools offer programs that offer you a streamlined path towards hour building like instructing at the school following your training.

It also would be most efficient for you to stay at the same Part 141 flight starting from private all the way through instrument and commercial in order to take advantage of all the hour reduction benefits of Part 141 schools.

Something airlines do have a preference on is the age of their pilot applicants. For more reading, see our article on the maximum age limit to become a pilot.

My advice on Part 61 vs. 141 Flight Schools

Regardless of whether you decide to pursue your flight training through a Part 61 flight school or a Part 141 flight school the school’s ultimate purpose should be helping you reach your flight training goals.

If your goal is to fly for fun and start with a Private Pilot’s license to see where it goes, a Part 61 flight school might be a good option for you. If you are seriously considering a career in the airline or aviation industry a Part 141 flight school program is probably a good fit for you and will help you achieve your goal faster.

Part 61 vs. 141 Flight Schools – Requirements & Differences