Part 61
 

I am training under part 61 for my PPL right now, and I am expecting to do my instrument rating on the same part. The hours required to obtain a commercial under part 61 is 190 vs. 250 under 141. Is there any way to "get around" this and still be able to obtain a commercial in 190 or so if I did the instrument under 61? I am guilty of the "looking way ahead" syndrome as this is a very early time to be thinking about a commercial.

Did you get that backwards?
No...I don't think you are guilty of looking ahead.
You should have a well thought out plan for your training - as far as you plan to take it.

USMCFLYR

Thanks for the correction USMC yes I did get it mixed up...Cool, I thought I am thinking too far ahead, but I do like to have a solid plan when it comes to training. I am however guilty of being a little lazy when it comes to regulations and interpreting them.

The 190 hours is actually a combination of the minimum required hours of the 141 PPL, IR, and CPL courses.

141 PPL = 35
141 IR = 35
141 CPL = 120

So if you do the PPL and/or IR under part 61, you will not be able to get a CPL at 190 hours.

61 PPL + 61 IR + 141 CPL = 40 + 40 + 120 = 200.

Also 61 IR requires 50 hours of XC, which would apply towards a 61 CPL, but NOT towards a 141 CPL. Since there is some XC overlap with other required training, so you could probably do the 61 IR for about 70 hours, so a total of about 230. That is only 20 hours less than doing it all part 61...my guess is going all 61 would be cheaper plus you end up with more total time.

It is possible to get the CPL with 190 hours part 141, but it is rare that people actually get it with minimum time. It is even harder to get hired as a commercial pilot with 190 hours.

If you go part 61 and feel competent to pass the check ride before 250 hours, start the training for your CFI. You can't take the checkride before you get your commercial liscence, but the advanced training will reduce the time to get ready for the CFI when you do go for it.

If you have a chance, try to get some training in a glider, both ground and flight. It gives you a different perspective on flying, and insights into aerodynamics that most power pilots are never taught. I don't remember if any glider flight time can count toward airplane ratings. Perhaps somebody else can answer that.

Joe

Glider time counts! In fact the rule looks like it's aimed at using glider or LTA time to reach 250.

For an airplane multiengine rating. Except as provided in paragraph (i) of this section, a person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane category and multiengine class rating must log at least 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:
(1) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes.
(2) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least—
(i) 50 hours in airplanes; and
(ii) 50 hours in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes.

And glider time is a LOT cheaper, especially after solo, which usually is after 15-20 flights (not hours, no touch and goes for landing practice).

Joe

thanks i should look into that. I am also very much interested in getting a seaplane rating and/or a tailwheel endorsement. I would like to have some fun, let's see how that goes. I have not heard of any glider training in my area, but that sounds like a lot of fun. Okay is it not also true that I can log some hours in a simulator (to count towards the 250 required) under 61?

You can log time in a sim towards your 250 I believe. I also believe that the max you can log is 50 hours, but don't hold me to that......