Federal Aviation Regulation, FARs - Part 141

Rochester Air Center’s Flight School comes in two flavors, Part 61 and Part 141, which refer to the parts of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) under which we operate. The most common and least important distinction between them is the minimum flight time required for the private pilot certificate --40 hours under Part 61, and 35 hours under Part 141.

Considering that the national average for earning a private pilot certificate is 60-75 hours (how long you'll take will depend on your ability and flying frequency), this difference isn't important for initial pilot training. It does make a difference to commercial pilot applicants: Part 61 requires 250 hours, and Part 141 requires 190.

What differentiates the two is structure and accountability. Part 141 schools are audited by the FAA and must have detailed, FAA-approved course outlines and meet student pilot performance rates. Training under Part 61 rules doesn’t have the same structure and paperwork requirements. Learning under Part 61 rules can often give students the flexibility to rearrange flying lesson content and sequence to meet their needs, which can be of benefit to part-time students or pilots adding a rating to an existing pilot license.

Rochester Air Center’s Part 141 Flight School is affiliated with the Jamestown Community College Aviation Degree program, a nationally accredited pilot training institution. Accredited flight schools must meet rigid standards of accountability for virtually every area of operation and must apply to an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Which type of flight school is best for you depend on your needs, available time, and other factors, such as veteran's benefit eligibility (only Part 141 schools can qualify for VA-reimbursed training). When it comes to the FAA checkride, which is the same for all, it doesn't matter if you trained under part 141 or 61, only how well you fly and your knowledge and understanding of aviation academic material.

Highlighted below in RED are courses we offer at Rochester Air Center

PART 141 COURSE OUTLINE

ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE
PROFESSIONAL PILOTING

Minimum credit hours required: 60

This program is designed to prepare students to enter the field of aviation as a

professional pilot. Students successfully completing the program will have

earned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certifications of Private and

Commercial Pilot, with Instrument Rating, and be a Certified Flight Instructor -

Airplane. All instruction occurs under Part 141 of the Federal Aviation Regulations

(FARs). Students may also elect to obtain the multi-engine and the Certified

Flight Instructor - Instrument ratings. Graduates may choose to work as a

Certified Flight Instructor which will allow them to log the same hours as their

students, earn pay, and not pay airplane rental fees. Students planning to work

for the commercial airlines are encouraged to earn a four-year degree.

General Degree Requirements 29 credit hours

Humanities 6

ENG 1530: English Composition II 3

ENG 1540: Writing About Literature 3

Social Sciences 6

GEO 1520: World Regional Geography 3

Social Sciences Elective 3

Mathematics/Sciences 7

MAT 1590: College Algebra and Trigonometry 4

MET 1510: Introduction to Meteorology 3

Liberal Arts and Sciences and/or Career Electives 10

Program Core Requirements 31 credit hours

AVN 1100: Aircraft Powerplants and Systems 3

AVN 1140: Private Pilot Ground School 3

AVN 1150: Private Pilot Flight 1.5

AVN 1200: Survey of Air Traffic Control 3

AVN 1240: Instrument Pilot Ground School 3

AVN 1250: Instrument Pilot Flight 1.5

AVN 1340: Commercial Pilot Ground School I 1.5

AVN 1350: Commercial Pilot Flight I 1.5

AVN 2100: Aviation Safety 3

AVN 2140: Commercial Pilot Ground School II 1.5

AVN 2150: Commercial Pilot Flight II 2.5

AVN 2200: Advanced Aircraft Systems 3

AVN 2250: Certified Flight Instructor I - Airplane 3