The rules in one paragraph
Part 61 sets what a pilot must have done to get a certificate. For a private pilot (airplane), that is at least 40 hours of flight time, including at least 20 hours of flight training from an instructor and 10 hours of solo flight. [source] Part 141 sets rules for FAA-approved pilot schools and their courses. A Part 141 private pilot course must include at least 35 hours of ground training and 35 hours of flight training, of which at least 20 are with an instructor and 5 are solo. [source]
| Part 61 | Part 141 course | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum flight time | 40 hours | 35 hours of flight training |
| With an instructor | At least 20 hours | At least 20 hours |
| Solo | At least 10 hours | At least 5 hours |
| Ground training | No hour minimum | At least 35 hours |
Sources: 14 CFR 61.109(a) and Part 141 Appendix B, via Cornell LII. Other requirements (cross-country, night, instrument and test preparation time) apply under both.
Which matters for cost
The minimums differ by 5 hours, but most students fly beyond either. Cost depends mostly on the school’s hourly rates and how many hours you need. Compare schools’ posted rates on the private pilot cost page.
What listed schools say
Only schools that state it on a page we read are listed here. 10 of 74 schools do.
Part 61
- American Air Flight Training (Atlanta): “American Air Flight Training ... operates under part 61” fly-aaft.com
- NSPIRE Aviation (Atlanta): “NSPIRE is a locally owned and operated Part 61 flight school” nspireaviation.com
- AV8R Academy (Dallas): “We are a part 61 flight school located at Lakeview Airport (30F).” av8racademy.com
- Scottsdale Executive Flight Training (Phoenix): “Pricing Part 61 Flexibility” scottsdaleflighttraining.com
- Sierra Charlie Aviation (Phoenix): “our Part 61 training program can be customized to fit your schedule” sierracharlieaviation.com
Part 141
- The Flight School of Gwinnett (Atlanta): “Both campuses are now Part 141 approved!” theflightschool.com
- Arizona Flight Training Center (Phoenix): “we are approved by the FAA under Part 141 of the Federal Aviation Regulations” arizonaflighttrainingcenter.com
Both
- Skybound Aviation (Atlanta): “FAA-approved Part 141 Programs Part 61 Flexibility” skybnd.com
- Thrust Flight (Dallas): “FAA Part 141 certificate 3USS960L ... also available on its own, one-on-one, usually under Part 61” go.thrustflight.com
- FLY Goodyear (Phoenix): “Fly Goodyear offers both Part 61 and Part 141 training” flygoodyear.com
Questions people ask
Is Part 141 cheaper than Part 61?
Not necessarily. Part 141’s private pilot course minimum is 35 hours of flight training versus 40 hours of flight time under Part 61, but most students fly more than either minimum, and the rates a school charges matter more than the rule set.
Do Part 141 courses require ground school?
Yes. The Part 141 private pilot course requires at least 35 hours of ground training for an airplane rating. Part 61 sets no ground-school hour minimum; you need an instructor’s endorsement and a passed knowledge test.