Continuing the effort to track “how much time it becomes to get a _______________ pilot certificate/rating”, I have collected some more data from some additional examiners around the country and increased the sample size. It has even allowed some data validity to add the Commercial Single Engine certificate.

With that said, here is the data as it has evolved.

Many of the original data points made in the previous blog post are largely unchanged in their effect. A couple of things that are of interest to note as the data has developed further.

• Private Pilot Total Time Up, slightly, and averaging closer to equivalent between FAR 61 based and FAR 141 based training, with FAR141 now showing a slightly (2 hours) less average total hours gained at the time of private pilot issuance.
• Average time at Instrument Rating, up by a few hours, but definitely showing a pattern of lower hours at an instrument rating issuance under FAR 141 training than FAR 61 training.
• Initial Commercial Single Engine Certificate issuance is showing a significant difference in total time experience at issuance of that certificate, with lesser time being the norm for FAR 141 Commercial Single Engine Certificate applicants; likely taking advantage of the cutdown in hours available under these programs.
• Initial Commercial Multi-Engine Certificate issuance are showing a significant difference in total time experience at issuance of that certificate, with lesser time being the norm for FAR 141 Commercial Multi-Engine Certificate applicants; likely taking advantage of the cutdown in hours available under these programs.

Note: This blog post may be updated with additional data compilations, but for the moment, I wanted to get this data out. Check back later for updates. I will post an update date on this of a more current date if I have added.

Last Updated: 9-21-2019