Part 61 versus Part 141 (switching)

[Mariano]

So today I was shopping around for flight schools at KCRQ (McCellan-Palomar in Carlsbad, CA). Talking to an intructor in one of the schools he suggested that I should consider swichting to Part 141, ( I'm a student pilot with 23 TT, and all my training was done under part 61, also I haven't flown in over a year)
So I will like to know the opinion of the experts about this. Will it make sense? What are the pro's and con's? will it affect the final price?
I don't know what else to ask, because I'm an ignorant about it, but I'm sure I'll get good advice here.

Thanks to all in advance.

[AlexF]

Originally Posted by Mariano

So today I was shopping around for flight schools at KCRQ (McCellan-Palomar in Carlsbad, CA). Talking to an intructor in one of the schools he suggested that I should consider swichting to Part 141, ( I'm a student pilot with 23 TT, and all my training was done under part 61, also I haven't flown in over a year)
So I will like to know the opinion of the experts about this. Will it make sense? What are the pro's and con's? will it affect the final price?
I don't know what else to ask, because I'm an ignorant about it, but I'm sure I'll get good advice here.

Thanks to all in advance.

First off, do you know the difference between 141 and 61? A quick review will show that part 61 schools generally have higher minimums required to get your certificates. However, it offers a very flexible curriculum, generally a more loose and accommodating structure. While, on the other hand, part 141 are specially certified by the FAA and must follow a specific syllabus. This will allow lower minimums, i.e. the difference in total time for your commercial cert between a 141 and 61 school is only 60 hours (190 vs 250).

IMHO, it is always best to talk to the instructors. However, if the instructors are equal in quality, then I personally would just finish up my private in the 61 and then go on from there. Also, CRQ is a great airport and when you go for your IR training, you can use the ILS, I "tested" it a few weeks ago and it works great!

Of course, I'm mostly a 61 guy, so make sure you listen to all the great advice which will follow:

[Mariano]

Originally Posted by AlexF

First off, do you know the difference between 141 and 61? A quick review will show that part 61 schools generally have higher minimums required to get your certificates. However, it offers a very flexible curriculum, generally a more loose and accomidating structure. While, on the other hand, part 141 are specially certified by the FAA and must follow a specific syllabus. This will allow lower minimums, i.e. the difference in total time for your commercial cert between a 141 and 61 school is only 60 hours (190 vs 250).

I'm after a PPL, I already have over 20 TT, so I don't know if it will make sense or not, and that it will affect to total economic cost substantially.

[mastermags]

One thing to mention, you can always switch from 141 to 61, but you can't switch from 61 to 141 without starting over.

[desertdog71]

Originally Posted by Mariano

I'm after a PPL, I already have over 20 TT, so I don't know if it will make sense or not, and that it will affect to total economic cost substantially.

The minimums are 35 Hours for Part 141 and 40 for Part 61. Not much difference if ony going for your PPL. I would say finish Part 61. 5 hours difference isn't much. You may end up needing those 5 extra hours or even more to meet the Part 141 requirements. Like Mastermags said, you may need to start over.

After you get your PPL and choose to continue, that is the time to consider switching. I do believe it is rare however to actually get your ratngs right at the minimums as outlined by Part 141, so you may be better off going Part 61 all the way through. There is no difference when it comes to testing and checkride requirements. Its a personal choice I guess.

[JEP]

Originally Posted by mastermags

One thing to mention, you can always switch from 141 to 61, but you can't switch from 61 to 141 without starting over.

You may have to start over, but it is not a complete startover from 0 hours. Each school will give you a differing amount of credit for the work you have already done.

[mastermags]

Yeah, I should have been a little clearer. But, for all intents and purposes, and probably more so for private students, you will go to the beginning of the program.

[Bandit_Driver]

You can switch to 141 but you will not receive full credit for what you have done. You are better off IMO finishing the PPL 61 then transferring if you wish. A 141 school will generally cost more. They have very regimented training and numerous stage checks before signing you off for any rating. Don't worry about the reduced hours, almost no one gets signed off at times that low.

[E_Dawg]

The cfi you were talking to was trying to sell you lessons at his school and get more students. Just finish 61, you're well on your way with 23 hrs.

[khysanth]

I'd finish part 61. In fact, i'd stay 61 all the way through.

[Mariano]

Originally Posted by E_Dawg

The cfi you were talking to was trying to sell you lessons at his school and get more students. Just finish 61, you're well on your way with 23 hrs.

That was my main concern. Was he suggesting that for my own interest or because the school will get more revenue from me at the end?
He also gave me a sort of sales picht on using the 172R for traininig. He said that the learning curve was much bettter in this than in other 172's or the 152's (152's are 65/hour wet and the 172R is 105/hour wet)

[falconvalley]

The only reason I switched from 61 to 141 after my PVT was because the GI Bill was going to save me $12,000. Otherwise using that stupid, confusing partial credit crap was too confusing. I still had to complete every lesson, even when I reached the minimums for the checkrides.

[BrettInLJ]

Originally Posted by Mariano

That was my main concern. Was he suggesting that for my own interest or because the school will get more revenue from me at the end?
He also gave me a sort of sales picht on using the 172R for traininig. He said that the learning curve was much bettter in this than in other 172's or the 152's (152's are 65/hour wet and the 172R is 105/hour wet)

That should be a red flag right there. Look at the instructor's current schedule. Does he NEED students really bad right now? I would bet money on it.