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Part 61 vs. Part 141 Flight Schools: What’s the Difference?

Part 141 Flight Training is the number one method for Service Members and Veterans to conduct flight training using their Post-9/11 GI Bill® or other Veteran Benefits. Understanding the difference between Part 61 and Part 141 is important to know, as well as the difference between Part 141 Vocational Post-9/11 GI Bill®  and Part 141 Collegiate Post-9/11 GI Bill®
 

Part 61 Flight School vs Part 141 Flight School

For Service Members and Veterans looking to use their Post-9/11 GI Bill®, Part 141 is a requirement for the VA to pay for your flight training:

Part 61 Flight Training
    • Less Structure
    • No Ground School
    • No Stage Checks
    • Must Use Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)
    • Can take up to 45 days to get on the schedule
Part 141 Flight Training
    • FAA Approved Curriculum
    • Ground School Required
    • Several Stage Checks and Mock Check Ride
    • Can Use Internal Check Airmen
    • Can be scheduled within a few days

Part 141 Vocational vs Part 141 Collegiate

For Service Members and Veterans using their Post-9/11 GI Bill®, you have two versions of Part 141 you can use to have the VA to pay for your flight training:

Part 141 Vocational
    • Quicker – Can start the next phase of training immediately
    • Limited Funding – Only up to $15,000 per Academic year
    • Funding – Reimbursement Based
    • Out-of-Pocket Cost – High
    • Housing Allowance – None
    • Other Sources for FundingPrivate Loans
Part 141 Collegiate
    • Paced – Must wait for the semester to start
    • Expanded Funding – Up to $50,000 per Academic year.
    • Funding – Lump Sum per Certificate
    • Out of Pocket Cost – Minimal to none
    • Housing Allowance – Yes
    • Other Sources for FundingSTEM Extension, VR&E, FAFSA

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Join our Part 141 Collegiate Program