asset_type: prerequisite-hours

body: The minimum flight-time and training-hour requirements for each FAA pilot certificate and rating, under Part 61 and under an approved Part 141 course, side by side, from the eCFR text of both parts. Answers 'how many hours for a private pilot license', 'part 61 vs part 141 hours', 'commercial pilot minimum hours part 141', and 'instrument rating hour requirements'. The pairs are easy to confuse and constantly mixed up by flight-school marketing pages: private 40 h (61.109) vs 35 h (141 Appendix B), commercial 250 h (61.129) vs 190 h (141 Appendix D), instrument 40 h instrument time (61.65) vs 35 h of instrument training (141 Appendix C). Both columns come from the same publisher (eCFR) but different parts — no single CFR page states the comparison, and the assembled versions online are flight-school lead-gen pages with no citations. The audience is someone choosing a training path for a purchase that runs $15k-$100k.

licence: unknown

title: FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating

type: dataset


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Commercial pilot — airplane multiengine

**Part 61 minimum:** 250 hours of flight time as a pilot

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.129(b)

**Key sub-requirements:** 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes. ( 2 ) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least— ( i ) 50 hours in airplanes; and ( ii ) 50 hours in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes

> a person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane category and multiengine class rating must log at least 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least: ( 1 ) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes. ( 2 ) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least— ( i ) 50 hours in airplanes; and ( ii ) 50 hours in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-F/section-61.129>

certificate_or_rating: Commercial pilot — airplane multiengine

part_61_minimum: 250 hours of flight time as a pilot

title: Commercial pilot — airplane multiengine — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating

type: prerequisite-hours


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Commercial pilot — airplane single-engine

**Part 61 minimum:** 250 hours of flight time as a pilot

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.129(a)

**Key sub-requirements:** 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes. ( 2 ) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least— ( i ) 50 hours in airplanes; and ( ii ) 50 hours in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes

> a person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane category and single-engine class rating must log at least 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least: ( 1 ) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes. ( 2 ) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least— ( i ) 50 hours in airplanes; and ( ii ) 50 hours in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-F/section-61.129>

title: Commercial pilot — airplane single-engine — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Commercial pilot — airship

**Part 61 minimum:** 200 hours of flight time as a pilot

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.129(g)

**Key sub-requirements:** 50 hours in airships. ( 2 ) Thirty hours of pilot in command flight time in airships or performing the duties of pilot in command in an airship with an authorized instructor aboard

> A person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with a lighter-than-air category and airship class rating must log at least 200 hours of flight time as a pilot, which includes at least the following hours: ( 1 ) 50 hours in airships. ( 2 ) Thirty hours of pilot in command flight time in airships or performing the duties of pilot in command in an airship with an authorized instructor aboard, which consists of—

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-F/section-61.129>

certificate_or_rating: Commercial pilot — airship

part_61_minimum: 200 hours of flight time as a pilot

title: Commercial pilot — airship — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Commercial pilot — balloon

**Part 61 minimum:** 35 hours of flight time as a pilot

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.129(h)

**Key sub-requirements:** 20 hours in balloons; ( 2 ) 10 flights in balloons; ( 3 ) Two flights in balloons as the pilot in command

> A person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with a lighter-than-air category and a balloon class rating must log at least 35 hours of flight time as a pilot, which includes at least the following requirements: ( 1 ) 20 hours in balloons; ( 2 ) 10 flights in balloons; ( 3 ) Two flights in balloons as the pilot in command; and

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-F/section-61.129>

certificate_or_rating: Commercial pilot — balloon

part_61_minimum: 35 hours of flight time as a pilot

title: Commercial pilot — balloon — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Commercial pilot — glider (applicant with 200 hours in heavier-than-air aircraft)

**Part 61 minimum:** 200 hours of flight time as a pilot in heavier-than-air aircraft and at least 20 flights in a glider as pilot in command

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.129(f)(2)

> ( 2 ) 200 hours of flight time as a pilot in heavier-than-air aircraft and at least 20 flights in a glider as pilot in command, including at least—

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-F/section-61.129>

title: Commercial pilot — glider (applicant with 200 hours in heavier-than-air aircraft) — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Commercial pilot — glider

**Part 61 minimum:** 25 hours of flight time as a pilot in a glider and that flight time must include at least 100 flights in a glider as pilot in command

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.129(f)(1)

> A person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with a glider category rating must log at least— ( 1 ) 25 hours of flight time as a pilot in a glider and that flight time must include at least 100 flights in a glider as pilot in command, including at least—

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-F/section-61.129>

certificate_or_rating: Commercial pilot — glider

title: Commercial pilot — glider — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Commercial pilot — gyroplane

**Part 61 minimum:** 150 hours of flight time as a pilot (of which 5 hours may have been accomplished in a full flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of a gyroplane)

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.129(d)

**Key sub-requirements:** 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 25 hours must be in gyroplanes. ( 2 ) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least— ( i ) 10 hours in gyroplanes; and ( ii ) 3 hours in cross-country flight in gyroplanes

> A person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with a rotorcraft category and gyroplane class rating must log at least 150 hours of flight time as a pilot (of which 5 hours may have been accomplished in a full flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of a gyroplane) that consists of at least: ( 1 ) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 25 hours must be in gyroplanes. ( 2 ) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least— ( i ) 10 hours in gyroplanes; and ( ii ) 3 hours in cross-country flight in gyroplanes.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-F/section-61.129>

certificate_or_rating: Commercial pilot — gyroplane

title: Commercial pilot — gyroplane — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Commercial pilot — helicopter

**Part 61 minimum:** 150 hours of flight time as a pilot

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.129(c)

**Key sub-requirements:** 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in helicopters. ( 2 ) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least— ( i ) 35 hours in helicopters; and ( ii ) 10 hours in cross-country flight in helicopters

> a person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with a rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating must log at least 150 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least: ( 1 ) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in helicopters. ( 2 ) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least— ( i ) 35 hours in helicopters; and ( ii ) 10 hours in cross-country flight in helicopters.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-F/section-61.129>

certificate_or_rating: Commercial pilot — helicopter

part_61_minimum: 150 hours of flight time as a pilot

title: Commercial pilot — helicopter — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Commercial pilot — powered-lift

**Part 61 minimum:** 250 hours of flight time as a pilot

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.129(e)

**Key sub-requirements:** 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in a powered-lift. ( 2 ) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least— ( i ) 50 hours in a powered-lift; and ( ii ) 50 hours in cross-country flight of which 10 hours must be in a powered-lift

> a person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with a powered-lift category rating must log at least 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least: ( 1 ) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in a powered-lift. ( 2 ) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least— ( i ) 50 hours in a powered-lift; and ( ii ) 50 hours in cross-country flight of which 10 hours must be in a powered-lift.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-F/section-61.129>

certificate_or_rating: Commercial pilot — powered-lift

title: Commercial pilot — powered-lift — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Instrument rating — airplane

**Part 61 minimum:** 50 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command, of which 10 hours must have been in an airplane; and ( 2 ) Forty hours of actual or simulated instrument time

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.65(d)

**Key sub-requirements:** 50 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command, of which 10 hours must have been in an airplane

> 50 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command, of which 10 hours must have been in an airplane; and ( 2 ) Forty hours of actual or simulated instrument time in the areas of operation listed in

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-B/section-61.65>

certificate_or_rating: Instrument rating — airplane

title: Instrument rating — airplane — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Instrument rating — helicopter

**Part 61 minimum:** 50 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command, of which 10 hours must have been in a helicopter; and ( 2 ) Forty hours of actual or simulated instrument time

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.65(e)

**Key sub-requirements:** 50 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command, of which 10 hours must have been in a helicopter

> 50 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command, of which 10 hours must have been in a helicopter; and ( 2 ) Forty hours of actual or simulated instrument time in the areas of operation listed under

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-B/section-61.65>

certificate_or_rating: Instrument rating — helicopter

title: Instrument rating — helicopter — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Instrument rating — powered-lift

**Part 61 minimum:** 50 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command, of which 10 hours must have been in a powered-lift; and ( 2 ) Forty hours of actual or simulated instrument time

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.65(f)

**Key sub-requirements:** 50 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command, of which 10 hours must have been in a powered-lift

> 50 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command, of which 10 hours must have been in a powered-lift; and ( 2 ) Forty hours of actual or simulated instrument time in the areas of operation listed under

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-B/section-61.65>

certificate_or_rating: Instrument rating — powered-lift

title: Instrument rating — powered-lift — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Private pilot — airplane multiengine

**Part 61 minimum:** 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.109(b)

**Key sub-requirements:** at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training

> a person who applies for a private pilot certificate with an airplane category and multiengine class rating must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-E/section-61.109>

certificate_or_rating: Private pilot — airplane multiengine

title: Private pilot — airplane multiengine — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Private pilot — airplane single-engine

**Part 61 minimum:** 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.109(a)

**Key sub-requirements:** at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training

> a person who applies for a private pilot certificate with an airplane category and single-engine class rating must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-E/section-61.109>

certificate_or_rating: Private pilot — airplane single-engine

title: Private pilot — airplane single-engine — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Private pilot — airship

**Part 61 minimum:** 25 hours of flight training in airships

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.109(g)

> A person who applies for a private pilot certificate with a lighter-than-air category and airship class rating must log at least: ( 1 ) 25 hours of flight training in airships on the areas of operation listed in

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-E/section-61.109>

certificate_or_rating: Private pilot — airship

part_61_minimum: 25 hours of flight training in airships

title: Private pilot — airship — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Private pilot — balloon

**Part 61 minimum:** 10 hours of flight training that includes at least six training flights with an authorized instructor

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.109(h)

**Key sub-requirements:** includes at least six training flights with an authorized instructor

> A person who applies for a private pilot certificate with a lighter-than-air category and balloon class rating must log at least 10 hours of flight training that includes at least six training flights with an authorized instructor in the areas of operation listed in

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-E/section-61.109>

certificate_or_rating: Private pilot — balloon

title: Private pilot — balloon — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Private pilot — glider (applicant with 40 hours in heavier-than-air aircraft)

**Part 61 minimum:** 3 hours of flight time in a glider

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.109(f)(2)

**Key sub-requirements:** logged at least 40 hours of flight time in a heavier-than-air aircraft

> If the applicant has logged at least 40 hours of flight time in a heavier-than-air aircraft, the applicant must log at least 3 hours of flight time in a glider in the areas of operation listed in

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-E/section-61.109>

part_61_minimum: 3 hours of flight time in a glider

title: Private pilot — glider (applicant with 40 hours in heavier-than-air aircraft) — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Private pilot — glider

**Part 61 minimum:** 10 hours of flight time in a glider

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.109(f)(1)

**Key sub-requirements:** has not logged at least 40 hours of flight time as a pilot in a heavier-than-air aircraft

> If the applicant for a private pilot certificate with a glider category rating has not logged at least 40 hours of flight time as a pilot in a heavier-than-air aircraft, the applicant must log at least 10 hours of flight time in a glider in the areas of operation listed in

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-E/section-61.109>

certificate_or_rating: Private pilot — glider

part_61_minimum: 10 hours of flight time in a glider

title: Private pilot — glider — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Private pilot — gyroplane

**Part 61 minimum:** 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.109(d)

**Key sub-requirements:** at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training

> a person who applies for a private pilot certificate with rotorcraft category and gyroplane class rating must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-E/section-61.109>

certificate_or_rating: Private pilot — gyroplane

title: Private pilot — gyroplane — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Private pilot — helicopter

**Part 61 minimum:** 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.109(c)

**Key sub-requirements:** at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training

> a person who applies for a private pilot certificate with rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-E/section-61.109>

certificate_or_rating: Private pilot — helicopter

title: Private pilot — helicopter — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Private pilot — powered-lift

**Part 61 minimum:** 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.109(e)

**Key sub-requirements:** at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training

> a person who applies for a private pilot certificate with a powered-lift category rating must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-E/section-61.109>

certificate_or_rating: Private pilot — powered-lift

title: Private pilot — powered-lift — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Private pilot — powered parachute

**Part 61 minimum:** 25 hours of flight time in a powered parachute that includes at least 10 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor, including 30 takeoffs and landings, and 10 hours of solo flight training

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.109(i)

**Key sub-requirements:** at least 10 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor, including 30 takeoffs and landings, and 10 hours of solo flight training

> A person who applies for a private pilot certificate with a powered parachute category rating must log at least 25 hours of flight time in a powered parachute that includes at least 10 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor, including 30 takeoffs and landings, and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-E/section-61.109>

certificate_or_rating: Private pilot — powered parachute

title: Private pilot — powered parachute — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating


body:
**Certificate or rating:** Private pilot — weight-shift-control aircraft

**Part 61 minimum:** 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training

**Part 61 section:** 14 CFR 61.109(j)

**Key sub-requirements:** at least 20 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training

> A person who applies for a private pilot certificate with a weight-shift-control rating must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-E/section-61.109>

title: Private pilot — weight-shift-control aircraft — FAA flight training hour minimums: Part 61 vs Part 141, by certificate and rating