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Which form of flight training is better—Part 141 or Part 61? Well, it really depends on what works for you.
If you have the time, resources, and discipline for a Part 141 program, go for it. If you prefer more flexibility and have other responsibilities, such as a career or family, Part 61 might be a better choice.
Now we’re hearing that Part 141 is about to receive a refresh, thanks to the 471-page report from the National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA) submitted to the FAA on April 1. The NFTA proposal came with a 10-day window for public comment.
The proposal is not—I repeat not—a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), a process the FAA uses to allow airmen and stakeholders to comment on proposed changes to federal regulations. NPRMs usually have a window for comment that is at least 45 days and can be much more, depending on the reach of the proposed changes. The FAA doesn’t act until the NPRM window closes and the comments are evaluated.
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According to aviation industry officials, the comment period is more of a “are we on the right track?” exercise. The purpose of the proposal is to evolve pilot training to make it more efficient and bring it up to speed to allow more use of more modern technology, such as virtual reality and aviation-training devices.
As far as skills and knowledge go, the training is the same under Part 141 and Part 61. The difference is that, due to the structured nature of Part 141, applicants can qualify for certificates and ratings with less experience than if they trained under Part 61.
I have been following this issue for the better part of a year, mostly listening to other aviation educators who were part of the discussion to change Part 141 training to align it with modern technology.
For perspective, the last time flight training was given a refresh was 50 years ago. It was 1976 when the U.S. was celebrating its bicentennial, Jimmy Carter was president, and NASA unveiled the proof-of-concept space shuttle Enterprise.
What Modernization Could Mean
One of the recommendations in the proposal is to increase the number of flight schools with self-examining authority. The applicants would still have to meet the standards the FAA sets forth for the certificate or rating for which they are applying.
In theory, having an examiner on staff could potentially reduce costs for pilot trainees because it would streamline the certification process. Instead of waiting weeks for a check ride—and often for an out-of-town examiner—the flight school would have someone on staff to administer the test.
Critics of this proposal suggest it could reduce the quality of training because having an examiner in house would be akin to having a fox guarding the hen house. Perhaps, but we already see this as there are flight schools that insist their clients use certain DPEs, and they are encouraged to “teach to their test.”
One of the most frequent comments I have heard is that the new modernization rule could also potentially wipe out Part 61 training operations. I find this highly unlikely as most flight training in the U.S. is done under Part 61, and many people benefit from the flexibility. It is not uncommon for aspiring professional pilots attending universities with a Part 141 program to do their training off campus at a Part 61 program for this flexibility.
What You Need to Know
The required knowledge and skills to be a pilot are the same under both Part 141 and Part 61.
Part 141 is more structured. The FAA reviews and approves the program and syllabus. There is much more oversight and, in theory, the student training is standardized.
I say “in theory” because I have heard far too many stories from students and CFIs at Part 141 flight schools discussing the need for standardized training when it comes to how to teach a maneuver. But standardization is never fully developed or implemented, due to the fact that the CFI who is supposed to develop the program soon is hired away by an airline before the task is completed— or the CFIs at the flight school are simply too busy to put in the effort.
The increased oversight of the Part 141 program does help the learner obtain their certificates and ratings in a reduced number of hours compared to the same training at a Part 61 program. Therefore, the school can process a greater volume of applicants.
Under Part 61, a syllabus is not required. But it’s a really good idea, so if you are a learner, insist on it. The training also can be adjusted when the applicant runs into a challenge, such as waiting on the FAA’s decision on a special issuance medical certificate that the learner needs in order to solo.
Under a Part 61 program, the learner can complete the requirements of cFAR Part 61.87 (solo requirements for student pilots), then continue with the dual instructional flights required for training, such as cross-country.
With Part 141, the learner in a similar situation would likely not be permitted to proceed because they need to solo before they can move forward.
Initial Training Experience
One thing in the proposal that grabbed my attention is having newly certified instructors work under the guidance of a more experienced instructor for a specified amount of time to help them become better teachers. This initial training experience (ITE) is something that I truly believe will improve the quality of pilots we release into the wild.
The new CFI often doesn’t know what they don’t know, or sometimes even where to look up the information to verify something they heard or were told. I applaud the idea of assigning a mentor. The smart CFIs seek them out on their own, or the owner of the flight school pairs the newly certificated with the more experienced.
It doesn’t matter who you are. Although you passed the CFI check ride, there will be a learning curve. Because there is an unconscious tendency to train as we were trained, the CFI can still fall into situationally inappropriate patterns.
If the CFI came from a Part 61 school where the folklore method (no syllabus) was used, and they are now working at a Part 141 school, they may be unfamiliar with the application of a syllabus.
If they come from a Part 141 school with check-the-box-instruction-teach-the-check-ride methodology, and they are now at a Part 61 school, there will likely be some challenges as they may not know what to do if the learner does not have a learning style that enables them to proceed at a pace normal for a Part 141 program.
No matter which path you select for your training, put in the effort to learn, and advocate for yourself to ensure the best educational experience.
