rickair7777

The 141 vs. 61 flight training debate comes up frequently. My experience has been that 61 usually works better (and tends to be cheaper) and I would not recommend that a student let 141 certification be a deciding factor in selecting a school.

However...if you find a school that suits your needs, which happens to have a 141 program here's an idea that might help you save time and money (I have done this with students before)...

Ask the school to enroll you in the 141 program (especially if you feel you need all the classroom training) but sit down with your CFI and review the requirements for both 61 and 141 for the rating you are working on. Keep track of these requirements as you progress. Unless you are the perfect student and nail each 141 lesson the first time, it is possible that you will meet the part 61 experience requirements before you complete all of the 141 lessons...if this happens, do some checkride prep and take the checkride under 61!

If you complete all the 141 lessons before your CFI deems you ready, then just take the 141 checkride.

This will prevent you from being locked into 141 program even though you are ready to move on. This is especially pertinent to folks who have previous flying time...they are likely to meet 61 aeronautical experience requirements long before they finish a 141 course.

IlliniPilot99

very true and good advice rickair...

...I had everything but my checkride done for my private under 61 and they were going to make me take there 141 lessons before I took my checkride...

did a little negotiating and I took my checkride uner 61 and saved myself about 4K, (did checkride at 51 hrs instead of 82 hrs)

again its all bout which one you prefer...but I would suggest 61 if u want to do it cheaper...141 if you want to end up with more hours but way more expensive (most likely)

Pilotpip

I had my CFI with 204 hours. I couldn't have done that part 61.

Having taught both, a good 141 program won't cost more, and won't take more time. Part 61 allows more flexability but you're going to need more hours for the advanced ratings.

Planespotta

I'm choosing 141 just because of the structure. Structure is something that I really value, and learning by-the-book appeals to me more than just learning as I go along.

mcartier713

geez pip, 204 hours? im right at 200 hours right now and instructing would scare the crud outta me

mmaviator

i got my cfi also right at 200 doing all my training 141 and 61 for my cfi. i think i was able to save money doing it 141. find a flight school with low students and good mx. that helps alot also.

Pilotpip

How is that extra 50 hours really going to make much difference? Most of it is just doing cross countries.

de727ups

Doing cross countries helps you teach cross countries...

That's why I'm a fan of the X-C requirement for the 61 IFR and not particularly impressed that 141 does away with it.

the King

I had the XC time and still got my CFI right at 250 TT. 141 got through Commercial-Instrument and did 61 for my ME add-on and CFI. 141 can work for you as long as you can make the time commitment (full-time student) and find a good school. Rickair was right: the most important thing is to find the right fit for you as an individual.

kdoner

i went part 61 and got my instructor ratings around 208 hrs... because...

that extra 50 hours can be dome in the SIM... FAR 61.129 (i)(1)(i)

Love me some sim time baby!!!