9 Tips for Choosing the Best Part 61 Flight Instructor

A CFI offers ideas to help you make the choice.

Meg Godlewski

Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 03:53 PM ET

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Many new pilots choose to become flight instructors for their first aviation job. [iStock]

Key Takeaways:

The article clarifies that neither Part 141 nor Part 61 flight training is preferred by future employers, but Part 61 offers greater flexibility, making the selection of a flight instructor (CFI) a critical decision.
When choosing a Part 61 CFI, it is crucial to "interview" them by asking specific questions to assess their teaching motivation, commitment (e.g., Gold Seal, Master Instructor status), use of a syllabus, and ability to provide comprehensive ground instruction.
A good CFI will offer structured lessons (pre-brief, flight, post-brief), demonstrate professionalism, effectively explain FAR/AIM requirements, and have a clear approach to scheduling and weather contingencies; an introductory flight serves as a key "working interview."

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Neither the FAA nor your future employer will likely care if you did your flight training under Part 141 or under Part 61. What really matters is that you have the knowledge, skills, and experience required for the job.

Part 141 programs are more structured than Part 61. Because of this, it is possible to qualify for certification as a private pilot with a minimum of 35 hours total time, and for commercial pilot with 190 hours. The syllabus must be adhered to, however, and there are more stage checks, and often instructors are assigned to the learners.