FAA Certified Training Center

Part 141 vs. Part 61

Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), which is commonly referred to as the FARs by pilots, lists the requirements to obtain your commercial pilot certificate. Pilot (or flight) schools can conduct your training by following either 14 CFR Part 141 or 14 CFR Part 61. An eligible pilot school may be issued a Part 141 pilot school certificate by the FAA after completion of an application process. Part 141 pilot schools are more regulated than a Part 61 pilot school. Additionally, a Part 141 pilot school is required to have its facilities and airplanes inspected, and it must have its ground and flight training syllabi approved by the FAA. The majority of pilot schools, and flight instructors not associated with a Part 141 pilot school, provide the required training specified under Part 61. The major difference between a Part 141 and a Part 61 pilot school is that a Part 141 pilot school requires FAA approval and can take a pilot through the school's private pilot, instrument rating, and commercial pilot courses in a minimum of 190 hr. compared to 250 hr. under Part 61. Additionally, Part 61 requires 100 hr. of pilot in command (PIC) time. Part 141 does not have a minimum PIC flight time requirement. This syllabus has been reviewed by the FAA in Washington, D.C., and found to adequately meet the requirements of a syllabus under Part 141 or Part 61, as appropriate. Thus, AFA's Commercial Pilot Syllabus can be used by any Part 141 school with minimal effort because we offer both Part 141 and Part 61 flight training.

Which program fits your better?

Part 141 training is very structured and you must complete each element before proceeding to the next. Part 61 allows the student to approach the training as required, so it has the advantage of shorter repetative elements but the drawback are more required flight hours for completion. Depending upon your availability to follow through with the training should determine which program to enter. A good way to look at it is if you are already a private pilot looking for his commercial then Part 61 would make sense because you already have flight hours, but if you are begining your flight training then Part 141 would ensure you are going to get there.

Why Aviation Flight Academy?

Our instructors are not CFI's looking to build flight time just to go fly for the airlines. They are committed to teaching you how to fly to the very best of your ability. Since we are pilots, we know that some things are difficult to get into our heads, and that is where we insist on experts as members of our training staff, and use simulators to help you get that light-bulb to light. Everyone learns different ways, and we make a point to ensure that each element is understood so it doesn't have to spoil our enjoyment of flying.

Are there university and military discounts?

Absolutely... We have University programs and Military training programs. We have referenced a few below, but this is by far not inclusive of the programs that we do and can provide. Flight training can be expensive and if you do not qualify for any of the programs below, we have plenty of other sources that you can try for funding. Don't be afraid to ask we are here to take that dream and make it reality.