There are two different sections of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Aviation governing flight training, Part 61 and Part 141. Both set specific requirements and steps for pilots to earn certificates and ratings, but each part has different procedures. Deciding which regulation to train under may be confusing and overwhelming at first, but don’t let it scare you. Either way, you will be able to earn a certificate or rating. And it may be up to the flight school as not all schools meet the requirements or possess the Part 141 authorization.
Part 61 has far fewer regulations dictating the training process than Part 141. It tends to be a better environment for someone who doesn’t fly nearly as much, as it allows for much more flexibility throughout the course. Part 61 does not have any special requirements of the flight school’s syllabus nor does it even require one, but quality schools will have some structure to the training.
Part 61 training allows students to complete the majority of their ground training from home through books or online learning systems. The student and instructor are working toward the minimum experience required as well as meeting the certification standards on maneuvers and ground knowledge. Once the student and instructor feel the student meets the standards set forth by the regulations, the student will be endorsed for a checkride with a designated pilot examiner (DPE).
Part 141 places more oversight on the flight school itself. The school must have an FAA-approved syllabus which includes stage checks (intermediate assessments); approved airplanes; maintain a minimum an 80% checkride passage rate; are subject to FAA inspections; must have a management structure, and more. Students must complete every lesson in a syllabus in sequence. As a result of the Part 141 structure, it allows for a lower minimum experience requirement over Part 61 in all training programs, so it’s typically preferred for career path flight students. For a school to be approved for Veteran’s benefits or to sponsor a VISA for international customers, the school must be approved under Part 141.
Another benefit to the Part 141 environment is that it also provides an option for qualified schools to earn examining authority. This means that at the end of your training, you are not required to do a checkride with an outside designated pilot examiner, likely saving thousands of dollars in additional expense.
It’s important to note that Part 141 vs. Part 61 does not mean better or worse. Even if not certified under Part 141, a flight school may choose to abide by all the same structure as a Part 141 school. In other words, do your research, talk to current or former students and make a decision that feels right for you.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/05155420/dual-instruction.png21603840Brady Kannadyhttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/09104820/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed.pngBrady Kannady2022-01-31 10:00:452022-03-07 17:49:30Training under Part 61 vs. Part 141 – what’s the difference?
As we enter cold and flu season, it’s important to be cautious of the compromising effects of cold and flu medication. Additionally, given the proliferation of CBD-based products, it’s also important to note that impairment from these products can compromise a pilot’s ability to control the aircraft and adversely affect judgment and decision-making.
Read more about this and how to avoid adverse drug interactions with these FAA resources:
The Richard Collins family has once again partnered with Sporty’s to offer The Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots. To qualify, the writer must be a pilot (including student pilot) who is 24 years of age or younger. The article must be original, not previously published, and no longer than 1,500 words. The topic should be “my first time at the controls of an airplane.”
The winning articles will be published in Air Facts, the publication Richard’s father, Leighton, founded in 1938 and which was relaunched 11 years ago by Sporty’s as an online magazine. The articles will be judged by a panel of three: Richard Collins, Jr., Amy Laboda, and J. Mac McClellan.
New for 2022, two prizes will be awarded. Both the first place and second place articles will be published in Air Facts, while their writers will receive a check: $5,000 for first place and $2,500 for second place. The winners will be announced in April.
Articles may be submitted now through March 2, 2022, and sent in as a Word document to [email protected]. In addition, young pilots are required to submit a 100-word bio to accompany their articles.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/05160253/OSH-landing.bak.jpg6781200Eric Radtkehttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/09104820/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed.pngEric Radtke2022-01-18 10:00:512022-01-18 12:20:49Call for Entries: The Fourth Annual Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots
When the first consumer flight simulator came to market in 1979, there were very few (if any) takeaways for pilots. If you had a marginal comprehension of aerodynamics, you could understand why airspeed is exchanged for altitude when transitioning from cruise to climb. But to the student pilot, hieroglyphics were easier to decipher. Fast forward 43 years to today and Moore’s law has been very favorable to the digital pilot, in addition to those with the aviation bug who haven’t realized it yet. As most would assume, today’s simulators are helpful in showing how an airplane reacts in the air (and on the ground), but there are a few lesser known areas of airmanship a simulator can teach.
1. Electronic flight bag familiarization
Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) are becoming more and more the norm on today’s flight deck. The years of lugging around approach plates or sectional charts covering large sections of the US are a thing of the past; we now have the ability to store all pertinent information on a tablet or phone. Today’s simulator software allows ease of connection to popular EFB programs and opens a lot of doors towards testing the latest features. Don’t settle for a static map on your tablet—use a simulator to put it in motion and learn all the tools. AHRS traffic targets and 3D airport representations are some of the features I’ve recently been enjoying using my EFB in tandem with a flight simulator. For more information on how to connect an at-home simulator with popular EFBs, click here. To keep a digital flight deck organized, take advantage of the Flight Sim EFB desk mount that can attach any iPad (in or out of a case) on a table or desk ledge up to 1.5 inches thick.
2. Communications training
One of the more intimidating areas of flight training for me was the requirement to communicate while flying the airplane. It wasn’t so much keeping the aircraft on course while hitting the transmit button, it was the idea of using incorrect terminology or taking longer than required to relay my message and putting other pilots out. Flight simulators provide a great tool with which to practice this skill. Most simulators offer a native AI communications ability that brings a small layer of realism to the digital flight deck, but typically its logic and flow is not representative of real life. For that reason, we recommend using either VATSIM or PilotEdge to communicate with live people while flying a simulator.
VATSIM, or Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network, allows you to fly around the world with other digital aviators and communicate with living, breathing fellow simmers who are playing the part of air traffic controllers, tower operators, or other digital pilots. A typical day sees 7,000 users on VATSIM. For increased realism, PilotEdge will increase the professionalism by utilizing real world professional Air Traffic Controllers who are employed by PilotEdge in their free time. The intimidation hurdle that I experienced early on would have disappeared if I’d had PilotEdge at my disposal during training, because I would have been strengthening my communication skills with real life controllers. The quid pro quo is that because these controllers are employed by PilotEdge and financially compensated for their specialty, there is a subscription fee for all members of PilotEdge.
3. Cross country preflights
When flying into a new airport, it can be intimidating to use a new title/terminology over the radio; know when to start a descent to pattern altitude; or figure out how to spot the airport before you’re turning downwind. With the continuous outside the airplane improvements in simulator software, we’re now able to experience surprisingly accurate approach profiles for locations we’re flying to. Microsoft Flight Simulator uses Bing Maps to populate accurate terra firma and assist our flight with visual cues. You’re able to verify your track based off when you fly over those train tracks that intercept your course, or you can familiarize yourself with the downtown buildings piercing the skyline that assist in verifying your planned course. This offers increased value when you practice night cross countries and have to rely on fewer visual cues.
At-home flight simulators present an obviously enjoyable way to pass the time. Popular video hosting sites contain countless hours of users flying aerobatics around the Burj Khalifa, buzzing the tower in afterburner mode, or recreating digital airline flights. But they’ve also reached the point of offering useful features that can assist in strengthening a burgeoning pilot’s abilities and improve early confidence levels to hopefully flatten learning curves.
For additional Flight Simulator content, check out Sporty’s Flight Sim Starter Guide. With over 45 videos and 36 blogs/tutorials, it’s a helpful tool for up and coming digital aviators.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155334/Microsoft-Flight-Simulator-1_12_2022-4_40_27-PM.jpg13512559Chris McGoneglehttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/09104820/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed.pngChris McGonegle2022-01-17 09:59:282022-01-18 12:23:573 overlooked simulator takeaways for student pilots
Technological advances in situational awareness have dramatically reduced the number of general aviation controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accidents. However, the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) has found that reliance on automation is a precursor to CFIT events. They found that automation use contributed to visual meteorological condition (VMC) and instrument meteorological condition (IMC) accidents in day and night flight conditions. Awareness of automation limitations and pilot proficiency in flying with and without automation are key to safe flight operations.
Learning to fly is fun, challenging, and rewarding.
The process of learning to fly can seem overwhelming at first. But you can do it, and our team of flight instructors here at Sporty’s can help. That’s why we’ve developed this quick checklist of key steps to help you become a pilot:
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/30092639/RV-12-in-flight.jpg600900John Zimmermanhttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/09104820/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed.pngJohn Zimmerman2022-01-13 17:00:092022-09-30 09:27:33How to become a pilot – a learn to fly checklist
Training under Part 61 vs. Part 141 – what’s the difference?
/in Regulations/by Brady KannadyPart 61 has far fewer regulations dictating the training process than Part 141. It tends to be a better environment for someone who doesn’t fly nearly as much, as it allows for much more flexibility throughout the course. Part 61 does not have any special requirements of the flight school’s syllabus nor does it even require one, but quality schools will have some structure to the training.
Part 61 training allows students to complete the majority of their ground training from home through books or online learning systems. The student and instructor are working toward the minimum experience required as well as meeting the certification standards on maneuvers and ground knowledge. Once the student and instructor feel the student meets the standards set forth by the regulations, the student will be endorsed for a checkride with a designated pilot examiner (DPE).
Another benefit to the Part 141 environment is that it also provides an option for qualified schools to earn examining authority. This means that at the end of your training, you are not required to do a checkride with an outside designated pilot examiner, likely saving thousands of dollars in additional expense.
It’s important to note that Part 141 vs. Part 61 does not mean better or worse. Even if not certified under Part 141, a flight school may choose to abide by all the same structure as a Part 141 school. In other words, do your research, talk to current or former students and make a decision that feels right for you.
Avoid impairment from over-the-counter medication and CBD products
/in Regulations/by Eric RadtkeAs we enter cold and flu season, it’s important to be cautious of the compromising effects of cold and flu medication. Additionally, given the proliferation of CBD-based products, it’s also important to note that impairment from these products can compromise a pilot’s ability to control the aircraft and adversely affect judgment and decision-making.
Read more about this and how to avoid adverse drug interactions with these FAA resources:
FACT Sheet: Avoiding Adverse Drug Interactions
Call for Entries: The Fourth Annual Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots
/in News/by Eric RadtkeThe Richard Collins family has once again partnered with Sporty’s to offer The Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots. To qualify, the writer must be a pilot (including student pilot) who is 24 years of age or younger. The article must be original, not previously published, and no longer than 1,500 words. The topic should be “my first time at the controls of an airplane.”
The winning articles will be published in Air Facts, the publication Richard’s father, Leighton, founded in 1938 and which was relaunched 11 years ago by Sporty’s as an online magazine. The articles will be judged by a panel of three: Richard Collins, Jr., Amy Laboda, and J. Mac McClellan.
New for 2022, two prizes will be awarded. Both the first place and second place articles will be published in Air Facts, while their writers will receive a check: $5,000 for first place and $2,500 for second place. The winners will be announced in April.
Articles may be submitted now through March 2, 2022, and sent in as a Word document to [email protected]. In addition, young pilots are required to submit a 100-word bio to accompany their articles.
For more information, visit Air Facts.
3 overlooked simulator takeaways for student pilots
/in Pilot Gear, Tips and technique/by Chris McGonegleWhen the first consumer flight simulator came to market in 1979, there were very few (if any) takeaways for pilots. If you had a marginal comprehension of aerodynamics, you could understand why airspeed is exchanged for altitude when transitioning from cruise to climb. But to the student pilot, hieroglyphics were easier to decipher. Fast forward 43 years to today and Moore’s law has been very favorable to the digital pilot, in addition to those with the aviation bug who haven’t realized it yet. As most would assume, today’s simulators are helpful in showing how an airplane reacts in the air (and on the ground), but there are a few lesser known areas of airmanship a simulator can teach.
Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) are becoming more and more the norm on today’s flight deck. The years of lugging around approach plates or sectional charts covering large sections of the US are a thing of the past; we now have the ability to store all pertinent information on a tablet or phone. Today’s simulator software allows ease of connection to popular EFB programs and opens a lot of doors towards testing the latest features. Don’t settle for a static map on your tablet—use a simulator to put it in motion and learn all the tools. AHRS traffic targets and 3D airport representations are some of the features I’ve recently been enjoying using my EFB in tandem with a flight simulator. For more information on how to connect an at-home simulator with popular EFBs, click here. To keep a digital flight deck organized, take advantage of the Flight Sim EFB desk mount that can attach any iPad (in or out of a case) on a table or desk ledge up to 1.5 inches thick.
2. Communications training
One of the more intimidating areas of flight training for me was the requirement to communicate while flying the airplane. It wasn’t so much keeping the aircraft on course while hitting the transmit button, it was the idea of using incorrect terminology or taking longer than required to relay my message and putting other pilots out. Flight simulators provide a great tool with which to practice this skill. Most simulators offer a native AI communications ability that brings a small layer of realism to the digital flight deck, but typically its logic and flow is not representative of real life. For that reason, we recommend using either VATSIM or PilotEdge to communicate with live people while flying a simulator.
VATSIM, or Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network, allows you to fly around the world with other digital aviators and communicate with living, breathing fellow simmers who are playing the part of air traffic controllers, tower operators, or other digital pilots. A typical day sees 7,000 users on VATSIM. For increased realism, PilotEdge will increase the professionalism by utilizing real world professional Air Traffic Controllers who are employed by PilotEdge in their free time. The intimidation hurdle that I experienced early on would have disappeared if I’d had PilotEdge at my disposal during training, because I would have been strengthening my communication skills with real life controllers. The quid pro quo is that because these controllers are employed by PilotEdge and financially compensated for their specialty, there is a subscription fee for all members of PilotEdge.
When flying into a new airport, it can be intimidating to use a new title/terminology over the radio; know when to start a descent to pattern altitude; or figure out how to spot the airport before you’re turning downwind. With the continuous outside the airplane improvements in simulator software, we’re now able to experience surprisingly accurate approach profiles for locations we’re flying to. Microsoft Flight Simulator uses Bing Maps to populate accurate terra firma and assist our flight with visual cues. You’re able to verify your track based off when you fly over those train tracks that intercept your course, or you can familiarize yourself with the downtown buildings piercing the skyline that assist in verifying your planned course. This offers increased value when you practice night cross countries and have to rely on fewer visual cues.
At-home flight simulators present an obviously enjoyable way to pass the time. Popular video hosting sites contain countless hours of users flying aerobatics around the Burj Khalifa, buzzing the tower in afterburner mode, or recreating digital airline flights. But they’ve also reached the point of offering useful features that can assist in strengthening a burgeoning pilot’s abilities and improve early confidence levels to hopefully flatten learning curves.
For additional Flight Simulator content, check out Sporty’s Flight Sim Starter Guide. With over 45 videos and 36 blogs/tutorials, it’s a helpful tool for up and coming digital aviators.
The dangers of automation
/in Tips and technique/by Eric RadtkeTechnological advances in situational awareness have dramatically reduced the number of general aviation controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accidents. However, the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) has found that reliance on automation is a precursor to CFIT events. They found that automation use contributed to visual meteorological condition (VMC) and instrument meteorological condition (IMC) accidents in day and night flight conditions. Awareness of automation limitations and pilot proficiency in flying with and without automation are key to safe flight operations.
Learn more from the FAASTeam.
How to become a pilot – a learn to fly checklist
/in Getting Started/by John ZimmermanLearning to fly is fun, challenging, and rewarding.
The process of learning to fly can seem overwhelming at first. But you can do it, and our team of flight instructors here at Sporty’s can help. That’s why we’ve developed this quick checklist of key steps to help you become a pilot:
Learn more