Do guys who train 141 have an advantage?
 

So far I have followed what was preached to me by my flight instructor and many people here on these forums: Major in something other than aviation and get your ratings at the local FBO. Most common arguments for this seem to be that non-aviation majors present a better backup plan/side career opportunities and that flight training is much cheaper at the local fbo.

Recently, however, I have been talking to some aquaintances who are majoring in "Professional Flight" and who are training under 141. I realize that these guys are racking up student loans while I am remaining debt free, but I cant deny that they definitely seem very knowledgeable about aviation subjects because they take so many aviation-related classes everyday. They also cite their CRJ simulator time as an advantage over other airline applicants because they are better prepared for the sim tests/training.

My question is this--Yes, I might be doing it cheaper by training at the local FBO, but are these guys who train in 141 going to be quite a bit ahead of me by the time I am ready to go for my first airline job? My former instructor seems to be doing fine at SkyWest and even said that "CRJ Sim training" is pointless because they make you go through it after you get hired anyway. As airline pilots though, can you normally tell who trained 61 vs. 141 by the way they fly and do things? Thanks for any input!

I can only speak for myself - I started off with 141 stuff at embry-riddle then realized what a waste of money it was and left. I more or less did most of my stuff part 61 at a local FBO and could not even begin to tell you how much money I saved. I am a big fan of local FBO's vs. 141 "Academies".
Simple fact is part 61 will save you money and you end up with the same little plastic card. The question of 61 or 141 did not even come up in my interview and I went through training just as well as the 141 Aeronautical Science guy next to me.

The guys that are in a Professional Flight program are just trying to justify how much money that they are wasting. Keep going 61 at your local FBO and get your ratings that way. I personally think that you learn more that way. They may seem more knowledgeable then you but there not. You need to know the same things regardless of where you go to school. Most of what there telling you is just trying to impress you. It the whole mine is bigger then yours argument. Keep doing what you are doing and you will be fine and not 100,000 USD in debt.

61 gives you a chance to diversify your aviation experience... whether it be aerobatics (highly recommended!), aircraft new and old... or venture into seaplanes, rotorwing, etc all counting time as time towards whatever you are going for. Why not get your feet wet in a few things before you take the bus-driver job? Personally, I believe that experience is better for you as a pilot overall.

Some people do learn better with 141 if you have that type of personality.

I'm not sure I buy the argument that 141 programs produce equal pilots in less time. The syllabus isn't the final authority on what is needed to know.

Well, I'm a fan of 141 Universities...but I think you're leaving out an important option.

What about an FBO with a 141 certificate? Especially for the commercial, this makes a lot of sense. I did all my training 141 and got my first flight instructing job at 207 hrs.

I went 141 and got my Private/Instrument on the same ride with 75 hours. Got my Commercial at about 130 hours and my CFI at 151 hours. I have been instructing since and making money that paid for my CFII and Multi.

I've taught both 61 and 141. How much you learn is directly dependent on what motivates you.

I currently teach at a 141 school and regardless of how much information is thrown at our students the majority of them brain dump the info rather quickly after a test or getting a certificate or rating. In my experience, if you're motivation to fly is because you have a passion for it then you will learn what you need to know because you're motivated to do so. Having a good motivated instructor to guide you along the way helps a lot too.

How did you get your commercial with only 130 hrs? 141 mins are 190 hrs if I'm not mistaken.

I thought each 141 school was individually tailored - IE they could have different hour requirements at each part 141 school.

One in Daytona says you can get a commercial in 80 hours (!) (!)

that must be some crazy good instruction... maybe it's like matrix style... just download it right into your brain...