What’s the Difference Between Flight Training Programs?
Three types of civilian pilot training, with different flight time requirements
There are three types of civilian pilot training, each with different flight time requirements. Which is right for you? Your time available to devote to training, ability to pay, and desire to attend college are all factors in this decision. Your options are:
1. Train under Part 61
2. Train at a Part 141 certificated flight school
3. Train at college to qualify for the R-ATP with a reduction in flight hours (click here for a full explanation of the R-ATP)
These three are briefly outlined in order of INCREASING structure and curriculum requirements and DECREASING total flight time requirements.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- No matter how someone receives ground school and flight instruction, every applicant must pass the same written and practical tests (checkrides) to the same standards set by the FAA.
- Once attained, pilot certificates and ratings are valid, no matter what kind of training led to their attainment or kind of training being pursued next.
- Cheap or quick: Pick one.
1- TRAIN UNDER PART 61 (cheaper)
Flight School: Does not have to be a “school” at all! Can be a mom-and-pop business at the little airport down the road, or with your literal Mom and Pop who are flight instructors in your own family’s airplane, or any combination.
Curriculum: No set curriculum required. Go at your own pace.
Ground Training: Can be from your flight instructor, classroom, books, YouTube, online course, or any combination.
Flight Training: The How and Where and From Whom you get flight training is not spelled out in the regulations, as long as all requirements under Part 61 are met.
Transfers: You can transfer between flight schools under Part 61, or into a Part 61 program, anytime. When transferring from Part 61 into a Part 141 training program, you may need to repeat some training to meet curriculum requirements.
Reduction in Flight Hours: NO reduction. Minimum total flight time for Private Pilot is 40 hours; Commercial Pilot, 250 hours; and Airline Transport Pilot, 1500 hours.
Credit for Prior Training: All legally logged flight instruction hours “count” toward eligibility for the next pilot certificate under Part 61, and toward total flight time.
Documentation: Pilot logbook.
2- TRAIN AT PART 141 CERTIFICATED FLIGHT SCHOOL (quicker)
Flight School: A flight school may receive Part 141 certification from its supervisory Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). Typically, a Part 141 flight school has multiple instructors and aircraft.
Curriculum: FAA-approved curriculum for ground and flight training for each pilot certificate and rating training course.
Ground Training: By flight school’s instructors, sometimes in classroom format, according to the FAA-approved curriculum. Learners often supplement this with books, YouTube, or online course.
Flight Training: By flight school’s instructors, following the FAA-approved curriculum. May include stage checks by more senior instructors.
Transfers: You can transfer from Part 141 to Part 61 training, anytime. When transferring between two Part 141 programs, you may need to repeat some training to meet curriculum requirements.
Reduction in Flight Hours: Eligible to attain some pilot certificates with reduced total flight time. Minimum total flight time for Private Pilot is 35 hours; and Commercial Pilot, 190 hours. No reduction in total flight time for the Airline Transport Pilot certificate (unless additional requirements are met – see below). A reduction in total flight hours does not always translate to lower total cost.
Credit for Prior Training: When entering a Part 141 training program, prior flight instruction hours logged under Part 61 might not “count” and some training may need to be repeated, to meet curriculum requirements. All legally logged flight instruction hours “count” toward total flight time.
Documentation: Pilot logbook and flight school records.
3- TRAIN AT COLLEGE TO QUALIFY FOR THE R-ATP WITH A REDUCTION IN FLIGHT HOURS
One reason some aspiring pilots elect to attend certain two- and four-year colleges is because they offer a degree and flight training with the eligibility to attain the Airline Transport Pilot certificate with restrictions – commonly called the R-ATP – with reduced total flight time. (This is not the only way to attain the R-ATP; here is a complete explanation.)
Flight School: A college may receive authorization individually from the FAA national institutional authority. Check the FAA’s published list of authorized institutions. Flight training may be at the college’s own Part 141 flight school or an associated Part 141 flight school. Note that not all colleges and not all Part 141 flight schools offer eligibility for the R-ATP.
Curriculum: FAA-approved curriculum for ground and flight training, and also for aviation-related college coursework toward an Associate or Bachelor’s degree, usually in an aviation field.
Ground Training: By college’s or associated flight school’s instructors, following their FAA-approved curriculum, plus additional college coursework.
Flight Training: By college’s or associated flight school’s instructors, following their FAA-approved curriculum.
Reduction in Flight Hours: Eligible to complete some ratings with reduced total flight time. Minimum total flight time for Private Pilot is 35 hours; and Commercial Pilot, 190 hours. Graduates from the FAA-approved program are eligible for the Airline Transport Pilot certificate with restrictions (R-ATP) with a minimum total flight time of 1000 hours (with a Bachelor’s degree) or 1250 hours (with an Associate degree).
NOTE: Graduates from an R-ATP college degree program will typically have total flight time in the 200- to 300-hour range. They are ELIGIBLE for the R-ATP, but most do not graduate with it in hand. They must work as a flight instructor or other entry-level flying job to reach the minimum required flight hours. Read more about the Pros and Cons of a college degree, here.
Credit for Prior Training: A student may enter an R-ATP college flight training program with zero hours or the Private Pilot certificate, but cannot have attained the Instrument rating. Prior flight instruction hours logged under Part 61 might not “count” and some training may need to be repeated, to meet curriculum requirements. All legally logged flight instruction hours “count” toward total flight time.
Documentation: Pilot logbook, flight school records, and college transcripts.
May your dreams take flight!
© 2026 Jenny T. Beatty. All Rights Reserved.
Photo credit: Ceri Breeze
