Part 61 Courses
Birmingham Flight Center offers a wide variety of training under FAA Part 61 and FAA part 141. See the information below on the types of training courses available. Feel free to contact us for more information.
*new!* Check out our Part 141 Courses! *new!*
FAR Part 61
U.S. flight training is done according to rules set out in either of two sections of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR): Part 61 or Part 141.
Why Part 61?
Part 61 training allows for a more flexible schedule. However, this may increase the time and cost commitment. For students working full time jobs, or who do not wish to go all the way through commercial pilot certification this is the perfect structure. Below are some details for what is needed to become a pilot under this training structure.
PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE (61.101):
Requirements for Private Pilot:
20 hours Dual instruction
10 hours Solo
40 hours Total time
*Must be 17, read, write, speak and understand English, hold a third class medical certificate, and pass a written exam. Student Pilots can solo at the age of 16 and complete training prior to their 17th birthday. To take the Private Pilot Practical (Final Checkride) a student must be at least 17 years of age.
Completion Time: 6-8 months.
INSTRUMENT RATING (61.65)
Requirements for Instrument Pilot:
40 hours instrument flight
50 hours of cross country flight as Pilot in Command
250 nm specific dual instrument cross country
*Must hold a private pilot certificate, read, write, speak, and understand English, hold a third class medical certificate, and pass a written exam.
Completion Time: 5-7 Months.
COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENSE (61.121)
Requirements for Commercial Pilot:
250 total flight hours
100 hours in powered aircraft
100 hours PIC / 50 cross country (FAR 61.129)
5 hours night with 10 takeoff & landings at tower controlled airport
10 hours instrument training
*Must be 18, read, write, speak, and understand English, hold a second class medical certificate, and pass a written exam.
Completion Time: 3 Months.
MULTI-ENGINE RATING (61.109b)
Requirements for Multi-Engine:
There is no specific time requirement for multi upgrade training at either the Private pilot, or the Commercial plot level. Our course length includes 10 hours of flight time in a multi-engine and 10 hours of ground school to prepare for a add-on checkride. Training is done in a PA-30-160 Twin Comanche, as well as time in our full motion simulator. Training time may be longer depending on individual student proficiency.
*Must be 17, read, write, speak, and understand English, hold an applicable medical certificate.
Completion Time: 3 weeks.
CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (61.181)
Requirements for Flight Instructor:
15 hours PIC category and class
250 hours total time (commercial requirement)
*Must be 18, read, write, speak, and understand English, hold a second class medical certificate, hold a commercial pilot certificate with category and class rating, hold an instrument rating, and pass a written exam.
CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR INSTRUMENT (61.195c)
Requirements for Flight Instructor Instrument:
15 hours PIC category and class
250 hours total time (commercial requirement)
*Must be 18, read, write, speak, and understand English, hold a second class medical certificate, hold a initial Flight Instructor Airplane Certificate, and pass a written exam.
CERTIFIED MULTI-ENGINE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (61.195f)
Requirements for Multi-Engine Flight Instructor:
15 hours PIC category and class (15 hours PIC Multi-Engine)
250 hours total time (commercial requirement)
*Must be 18, read, write, speak, and understand English, hold a second class medical certificate, hold a commercial pilot certificate with category and class rating, hold an instrument rating, and pass a written exam.
At BFC, training is available under either Part 61 or Part 141. There is no difference in the instructors, materials or syllabi used; the quality is nearly identical. However, there are subtle differences in the overall course requirements, the number of and duration of flights, and level of student commitment. The course that is right for you depends on the time you wish to complete in, your available time to train, and what you want to do with your certificate.
For students wishing to complete accelerated training, or get through commercial training quickly, please see our part 141 training page. If you want to get a basic pilot certificate, please see below for our training outlines.
