So I have a slightly unique situation. I’m 19, but I will be graduating with a BA in Business Administration in 2.5 months. I’m looking at both Part 141 and Part 61 schools to conduct my training. If I spend 7 months in training and 2 years instructing, I’ll be 22 when I would likely be ready to move on to the regionals. Will being 22 restrict me in anyway as a pilot flying commercially?
Also, if I went to a Part 141 school, am I correct in saying that I would only need 1,000 hours instead of 1,500 hours before flying for a regional? Would not having an aviation related degree affect that in any way?
I have an intro flight with ATP on Friday, so I’m obviously spending a lot of time thinking about what my future might hold and the correct path for me to get there.
The minimum age for a full ATP is 23 BUT you can get your R-ATP at 21 and fly for an airline. You simply can’t upgrade to Capt until you’re 23 which won’t be an issue.
As far as the 141/61 question you’re incorrect. You only get the 500hr reduction if the training is part OF an aviation degree program. If you have or get an aviation degree it has no effect.
Your age will not be an issue whatsoever. The only thing that you will be restricted from doing is becoming a captain at a regional. For reference, it typically takes a minimum of two years to upgrade to captain at a regional. So you should be 24 by the time you would be eligible.
Seeing as you will be graduating with a degree soon, I assume that the part 141 school that you are considering is not part of an aviation degree program. If so, you would not be eligible for the total time reduction. The only way to take advantage of the total time reduction is to conduct your part 41 flight training in conjunction with in aviation degree program.
Given your situation, the quickest path to the airlines would be to attend an accelerated training program. ATP is the program that we all believe in.
Jack,
It’s a huge misconception that doing flight training with a 141 school qualifies you for lower hours. That’s gotten a lot of people in trouble when they realize they don’t have the required hours and get sent home from initial training at a regional. I’ve seen it and it sucks. Since you are about to complete your degree, the fastest most efficient program is your best bet. Lucky for you, you’re in the right place… it’s something ATP has down to a science.
If you decide to do ATP’s fast track program, you’ll be done with all your flight training in 7 months and starting to build time as a flight instructor. Realistically it takes an additional year to year and a half to get to 1500 hours. That’s a total of about 1 yr 7 months-2 years from now you could be heading to a regional. That puts you right at 21. From there, upgrades may be slightly faster than 2 years but it won’t cause any major additional delay. Under 2 years is pretty fast anyway.
-Hannah
I got my private through a part 141 school, it was a nightmare. Think of anything the federal government has a heavy hand in and that pretty much sums up the local flight school, part 141 experience. There were delays for stage checks, maintenance issues, instructor availability, etc. Part 61 gives the flight school the flexibility to cater to your needs. Regardless of which type of program you go to, you will take the same FAA check rides and have the exact same licenses.
Having a non aviation degree will not affect you in any way, most pilots do not have aviation degrees. Since your degree is not in aviation and is not from a FAA approved school, you will not be getting the hour reduction either way.
Thank you everyone for your responses! I’m glad to hear that a R-ATP won’t be an issue at all. I really appreciate everything that you all do on this forum!
I just wanted to stop back here and let everyone know how my intro flight went! It had been scheduled for last Friday, but the weather had other plans so we went up today. I’d taken 3 flights with a mom-and-pop school and ATP was a much better experience. The instructor I went up with was great and she explained every process as they came up. ATP met and exceeded my expectations! I can’t say as I’ve settled on a flight school (just doing my due diligence), but ATP has set a standard that will be hard for any other school to compete with!
Jack,
Glad to hear you had such a great experience! Please let us know if we can answer any other questions you have and keep us updated on what you decide to do.
-Hannah