Doing Instrument Rating part 61
 

Due to the economic crisis, and the fact that I am paying as I go for my PPL (part 61), I feel strongly that I should do my IR 61 at a cheaper place. Right now I am paying $135 an hour for the 172, but there is a cheaper place that rents 172 for around $90. The only downside is that it is a farther drive, but at this rate, I think it is better for me to pay for as much hours as I can... By the time I finish up with my IR I should have enough hours that let me get my commercial part 141 (in around 180 hours?). I like the fact of having 50 hours XC when doing IR part 61 as opposed to 141. For me it feels like I can learn so much more than doing it otherwise...By doing part 61, I also feel like I could attain my commercial rating sooner due to the more hours earned. Thoughts?

Part 61 is usually the way to go (I have trained and instructed under 61 and 141).

However...141 programs generally require you to complete the entire program, so your previous 61 hours will not count towards the 120 required for a 141 COMM program. There is a provision for getting credit for previous time, but it is complicated, requires an evaluation of your skills, and will only give you credit for a small number of hours towards the 141 requirements. Most schools probably will not even let you do that.

I'd stick with 61 unless you have a good reason to go 141.

I think you hit a good point there. I taught part 61; now I teach 141, and I think instrument students miss out under 141.

The 50 hours of xc during instrument were some of the most valuable, and fun, hours I could get at that experience level. I build some xc flights into the instrument syllabus I teach now, even though they're not officially part of the 141 program.

My personal advice would be to do it under Part 61. Under part 141, you save some $$ by not flying as much. You need more experience before you get your IFR rating, so go for 61.