A professional flight school that is certified under Part 61 typically offers a more flexible education, allowing students to have some choice in their plan of study.This flight school option does not require that students complete ground coursework at the school, which allows students to complete their required coursework. This prepares them for their certification exams -- at home or with a private tutor. Students should research all flight school programs to determine which are best for their professional flight career goals before enrolling at any institution.
Part 141 flight schools have stricter requirements than their Part 61 counterparts. These flight schools are approved and periodically audited by the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA provides detailed course outlines and plans of study for Part 141 schools to adhere to. Because of this structure, students in this type of flight school are required to be more rigid in the courses that they take. Despite the lack of flexibility that these schools offer, they are considered to be one of the best types of programs to participate in if you are looking to become a commercial pilot.
A professional flight school is not always a college or school. Many professional flight schools are training institutions, which are housed in airports or other training facilities. An accredited training institution, whether it is part of a college or university or not, must meet very specific requirements. These requirements are put forth by individual accrediting institutions. The accreditation process is used to give a professional opinion about the validity of a program or institution. Employers look at the accreditation of flight training programs when researching future employees.
The final type of professional flight school is a collegiate aviation degree program. Many colleges and universities offer flight as a choice for students to major in. Many colleges and universities also house their own airports, which are used to teach students how to fly safely. These programs are typically accredited and approved by the FAA. They also give a well-rounded education outside of flight, including areas of study like science, math and psychology. These programs are typically more expensive flight school options, however, so students should do research before enrolling.