The Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) that apply directly to flight schools are Part 61 and Part 141. Part 61 concerns itself with the testing needed to become a certified pilot or flight instructor. Part 141 details the rules that flight schools must adhere to if they want to be certified by the FAA. Before the Federal Aviation Administration was created, flight schools were not subject to any regulations; however there were fewer flight schools operating. Some flight schools still choose to operate without FAA certification.
It depends on the requirements of the student as to whether they want to learn to fly at a certified or non-certified school. FAA-certified schools require 35 hours flying time before granting a license, whereas at non-certified school 40 hours flight time is needed. For students who want to obtain a private or recreational pilots license, learning at a non-certified school is fine. However, the student needs a professional pilot's license, training and qualification at a FAA-certified flight school is necessary.
FAA-certified flight schools must adhere to a strict standard of quality, and this covers the facilities at the school, the training it provides, and the instructors working there. In most cases it means the school will provide thorough and up-to-date professional training. The main advantage of using an FAA-certified flight school is that the license granted is recognized throughout the aviation industry. This will allow the license holder many more options when it comes to flying different types of aircraft.
FAA-certified flight schools can be found at airports all over the United States. FAA-certified flight schools include the California Flight Academy in El Cajon, California, the East Hill Flying Club in Ithaca, New York, and the Riverside Flight Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Federal Aviation Administration's website provides a full list of FAA-certified flight schools in the United States. The list can be searched to find schools in specific states and cities.