AboutDavid A. NewMyer Expertise I can answer questions about aviation industry employment, airports and airport planning and aviation industry regulation (overall regulation of the industry--who regulates what and why).
Experience
Past/Present clients Prepared airport master plan and environmental assessment reports for several Illinois Airports; prepared two separate airport systems plans for the Chicago area
Question Hello:
I am 37 years old and just received my instrument rating. My total flying hours are about 200. I also have a BA degree in a totally unrelated field. My goal is to work as an airline pilot. I have a questions about getting my commercial pilot licence. Do airlines perfer a Part 61 or Part 141 training for a commercial licence? Which one do you think will be cheaper to get? My instrument licence was done under Part 141. Thank you.
Answer Hi,
Thanks for your question, I will try to assist you.
As far as airline preferences over time, I would say that the airlines are interested in the QUALITY of the flight training received, not the just the type of training. FAR 61 is, perhaps, slightly less structured than FAR 141, and probably includes less check rides (which are good experience for working with the airlines) but, overall, both provide good training. It comes down to the person who is actually instructing you along the way.....their background and training will be reflected in the quality of training that you receive.
Also, you might want to look for flight training providers such as universities and colleges since they provide such advanced training as crew-based training, line-oriented flight training, glass cockpit training and multi-engine time-building possibilities.
In addition, the quality of the experience you obtain along the way will be important.....the more you can fly in nighttime, in actual instrument conditions, in multi engine aircraft and in turbine aircraft, the better it is for you when you get to the airline interview. What large airlines normally look for in a future airline pilot is something like 500 hours to 1000 hours of multi engine time as a pilot in command in a turbine aircraft. The smaller airlines, for now, look for a bit less (500 to 1500 hours total time and 100 to 300 hours of multi engine time). However, Congress is looking at changing the entry-level requirements for a first officer position at a regional airline (due to the February, 2009 accident in Buffalo, New York). If they do change them, the new requirements will become effective in about three years.
As far as expense is concerned, FAR 61 requires 250 flights hours to obtain a commercial certificate....so, you have to factor that into the equation when you compare costs. An FAR 141 program usually requires less than that (190 to 210 or so)....the cost per hour at a 141 location might be more, but, the total hours at a 61 might be more, so, you have to shop carefully. If I were you, I would select the provider that has the best proven track record for gaining employment for its trainees. If a provider has a good record of job placement into good flying jobs, I would choose that one....
I hope that this helps. Ask me anything else via a follow-up question on AllExperts.com
Best wishes,
David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale http://www.aviation.siu.edu
