Private Pilot Training, Part 141

Thinking of earning a private pilots license?  Confused about the differences between a part 61 and part 141 flight school?  Read this post to learn about the requirement for part 61, and continue reading on to find out about the requirements for part 141.

I did all my flight training and flight instructing at a part 61 school in Utah; because of that, I am  more familiar with getting a license under that part of the regulations (if you find any errors or anything missing from this section, please let me know).  There are pros and cons to doing your training under part 61 versus part 141, so make sure you do the research and pick a flight school that will work best for your future goals.

There are a lot of similarities between 61 and 141, but also a few major difference.  In a quick summary, part 61 is less strict, but requires a few more hours in the long run.  Part 141 is more regimented, requires an exact syllabus to be followed, but has less flight hours required.  Either program is going to be a great way to train- just find one that works well for you and go for it.

Keep in mind, in this post I am only discussing the requirements to get a private pilot's license, airplane single-engine land. I have also paraphrased some of the information to make it easier to understand,  but if you want to the exact wording, you can refer to the FARs Part 141. 

Following is information taken from the FAR/AIM Part 141 section:

If you attend a Part 141 flight school you must have a minimum of 35 hours of ground training in the following areas (part 61 does not have a time limit on the ground hours, the only requirement is that you cover all the ground areas with a flight instructor):

Ground Training Aeronautical knowledge areas:

(1) Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations for private pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations;

(2) Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board;

(3) Applicable subjects of the “Aeronautical Information Manual” and the appropriate FAA advisory circulars;

(4) Aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems;

(5) Radio communication procedures;

(6) Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts;

(7) Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence;

(8) Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance;

(9) Weight and balance computations;

(10) Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems;

(11) If the course of training is for an airplane category or glider category rating, stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques;

(12) Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and

(13) Preflight action that includes— 

(i) How to obtain information on runway lengths at airports of intended use, data on takeoff and landing
distances, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements; and 

(ii) How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or delays are encountered.

You must also have a minimum of 35 hours of flight training. 

Flight Training areas:

(1) 20 hours of flight training from a certificated flight instructor 

(i) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane

(ii) 3 hours of night flight training in a single-engine airplane that includes— 

-One cross-country flight of more than 100-nautical-miles total distance; and 

-10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop

(iii) Three hours operating the aircraft solely by reference to instruments

(iv) 3 hours of flight training in preparation for the practical test within 60 days preceding the date of the test.

Some of the flight hours can be completed in a simulator.  If you decide to attend a part 141 flight school they can give you the details of that (if they have an approved sim), or you can refer to the Regs.

Following are the areas you have to demonstrate proficiency on for your checkride (same as part 61):

(i) Preflight preparation; 

(ii) Preflight procedures; 

(iii) Airport and seaplane base operations; 

(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds; 

(v) Performance maneuvers; 

(vi) Ground reference maneuvers; 

(vii) Navigation; 

(viii) Slow flight and stalls; 

(ix) Basic instrument maneuvers; 

(x) Emergency operations; 

(xi) Night operations, and 

(xii) Postflight procedures.

You are still required to have solo time to earn a license under part 141.  You will need at least 5 hours of solo time.  Following are the requirements for those hours (these hours go towards the minimum 35 hours needed to get your license):

(1) One solo 100 nautical miles cross country flight with landings at a minimum of three points and one
segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles between the takeoff
and landing locations; and

(2) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at
an airport with an operating control tower. 

In a part 61 flight training program, stage checks and end-of-course tests are not required; however, in a part 141 flight training program, they are.  The school you attend will have the information for the stage checks- how many they require and the ground and flight training for each one.

I flight instructed at a part 61 school that did stage checks, even though it wasn't required.  For example, the private pilot training was divided into 3 stages with a stage check after each one: pre-solo, cross-countries, and checkride prep.  I think stage checks are great- for the instructor and the student.  It's a good gauge for the flight instructor to make sure they are teaching all the required information, and it's good for the student (YOU) to make sure you are learning what you need to.  Also, doing stage checks makes the checkride less stressful because you will be used to flying and getting tested by someone other than your flight instructor.  Stage checks are there to help you, so don't be too nervous about them.

I hope that clears up some of the confusion between part 61 and part 141 flight training.  I paraphrased quite a bit here, so if you want to read the exact wording, refer to the FARs.  Have fun finding a flight school, and make sure you find one that fits you well with your future goals.