Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Part 61 schools are usually smaller and more personalized than Part 141 schools. Flight instructors are often paid directly instead of through a company, and thus have more incentive to provide better training and support for the flight student. There is also a lot of flexibility in Part 61 schools and prices are usually cheaper since most Part 61 schools are based at smaller airports.
Part 61 schools require more hours than do Part 141 schools. For example, a private pilot course requires 40 flight hours instead of 35 hours like at a Part 141 school. This is only a slight disadvantage, however. Since the national average is between 60 and 80 hours for most new pilots, minimums are rendered irrelevant for all but the most skilled new pilots.
Part 141 schools are more regulated than Part 61 schools. Most of the staff is generally better trained than at Part 61 schools, and curriculum is usually more standardized. Accountability for these programs is very high. Test centers are usually located on the premises at Part 141 schools, eliminating the need to travel to a designated FAA testing center to take written examinations.
Part 141 schools are generally more expensive than Part 61 schools because of their consistency and location at typically larger airports. Commutes to larger airports may be time-consuming and expensive. Faster-paced training may be difficult for lower-level students or those fresh to aviation.