I'd have to say that depends how much you have to repeat from prior lessons before moving onto a new part of the lesson. Also, how much practice and work will it take for you to get that. That really depends on how fast you can pick it up.

Depends on how many hours a week you want to dedicate to flying? A one hour a week rate would take you over a year. 2 hours a week would take you a little over a half of a year. 4-8 hours a week (2 hour sessions) would be the best (IMHO), 4 hours a week would give you 60 hours at the 15 week point, while 8 hours a week would be around 8 1/2 weeks.

As far as the CFI part, I can't answer that one as I'm not a CFI. . . :)

If you do the CFI route correct, you should have no problem being at 1000tt within one year. If it takes you longer than a year, you did something wrong.

I'd say this is really good advice. It reminds me of the time that we flew a 152 to a local airport that is little more than a crop duster strip to practice short field landings. We flew in slow flight all the way there and back.....LOL! Talk about "time building" ;)

"4-8 hours a week (2 hour sessions) would be the best (IMHO),"

How much money would that cost weekly then? I know it varies from place to place, but on average? Around your area?

I live in Columbia SC, and it depends on the airport. I'm 20 mins from KCAE, and KFDW. CAE is Class C, FDW Class E, both have a number of Part 61 schools. CAE average for a 172 is around 135 w/ CFI. Out of FDW it is 105 with CFI.

As you can tell, flying out of FDW is significantly cheaper. 4 hours would cost 420 bucks, plus tax.

I would highly suggest you open up a phone book, or visit aopa.org, or airnav.com and take a look at local airports and find a CFI. Don't just call, spend a couple minutes driving to the airport, take a look at the facilities, talk with the instructor(s), ask them about their future plans, where they have been, etc. Get as much information as possible. Then after looking over the numbers you have generated, make your decision.

Wow... 105 with an instructor is DIRT cheap nowadays!!

I know. . . lol. FDW is a nice little podunk airport. Today I only logged .8, and it was 82 bucks. I was a little surprised when I got the receipt.

I'm not going to complain, or make him charge me more. . . lol

Lol another question for ya! So, what is the different between the different 'parts' i keep hearing about?

Part 61 = Unstructured training (no syllabus requirements from the FAA)
Part 141 = Structured training (syllabus requirements from the FAA that have to be met)

And for added FYI

Part 121 = Scheduled air carriers
Part 135 = Commuter and On Demand Operations (Unscheduled)

I think I got those right. . . lol. Flipping through the FAR/AIM now to make sure. If you want more information on them just look through the online version of the FAR/AIM and you shall be rewarded.