CRMcaptain

Let me tell you something about myself, so you can better help me out.

I'm 20, a college student (working on a degree that's not related to aviation).

I've been flying since 2005 and I am a Private Pilot with more than 100 hours. At this point I am 75% done with my IFR rating ( all I need to do is the cross country part - those 50 hours of cross country required for part 61 schools)

I've only had one instructor, and he was great (33 years old with no aspiration to fly for the airlines - he's been there done that and hated it)

I live in Pennsylvania ... well I will live in Pennsylvania for another week and then I will move to Texas (for financial reasons outside my control).

I am suddenly finding myself in a situation where I need to decide on a new flight school. I want to let you guys (and girls) know that I will be an airline pilot, I understand that the licenses are all the same, but the quality of training is very important to me (for obvious reasons)

Here are my two choices when it comes to the flight schools:

1) A part 61 school

- 3 instructors
-flying a Cessna 172, 2x 152s and a Cessna 310
-they are asking for 90$/h for the 172 (their IFR equipped airplane) + 35/instructor/h

2) A part 141 school (newly accredited)

-Cessna Pilot Center
-Flying 3 G1000 Cessna 172s, 2x152s, and with the ability of procuring an an Arrow, and a Seminole
-They are asking 135$/h for the 172s + 35$/h/instructor

I was lucky that my previous instructor was very structured ... and if I do decide to go with the part 61 I expect the same thing. With the part 141 I am sure it will be very structured (that's why is called part 141)

The problem with the part 141 is that they will only give me maximum of 25% credit for my previous IFR training, is not a deal breaker because of the smaller limits on the x-country time.



I do understand that the instructors are the biggest most important thing when choosing a flight school. But assuming that the instructors are not horrible at either of them ... put yourself in my situation and help me out with an advice.


Thank you in advance!

P.S. Sorry for the long thread

ryan1234

You can learn the garmin in 1 or 2 flights, no use spending the extra money on it. You can get XC PIC time by flying safety pilot sharing the time, and also under the hood to meet your 40hrs hood.
Personally I would opt for more hours (i.e. the 61 route), it will give you more confidence in the long run. Also you can do the part 61 dual, and practice approaches while doing your xc reqs and hood time.
How much PIC XC and hood time do you have?
Quality of training is probably about the same... the extra XC PIC time and hood time will give you more experience.
Mathematically and Financially speaking (in the minimums)
141: lets say they give you 8hrs credit, so you need only 27 hours dual = $4590
plus groundschool, etc
61: you need 35 XC PIC more (incl hood time) = $3150
you need more 10hrs dual (incl hood and xc) = $1250

$4590 for 27 hrs or $4400 for 45hrs

If you opt for the 61 program and get with someone to share time/safety pilot/hood it'll probably be more like $4400 for 65hrs vs. $4590 for 27 hrs.

Ewfflyer

Learning the G1000 and all that other new crap is easy, if you have a solid foundation of basic instruments and instrument flying skills. That's just my opinion. Save your money, get the ratings on a smart budget, and use any extra to get some good Multi-experience. I have 2000hrs in C310's from my last job, and I absolutely love that airplane!(Well, the -R model at least!)