Pilot question

[grunt82abn]

Learned some disappointing news from the college I attend that the FAA is not pleased with how the Aeronautics program is being run and have bow pulled the schools testing ability, and are now looking to drop the program from a part 141 to a part 61. If this happens, I will not be able to attend as Post 9-11 will not cover this from what we were told. I take my PPL check ride at the end of this month, and have completed my Instrument ground school, and will take the written at the end of this month also. How badly will this affect my ability to fly for CAP in the future? Also, does anyone no of a work around to use Post 9-11 to finish the flying portion for instrument at a part 61 course? Kind of flapping in the wind right now.

[Eclipse]

How badly will this affect my ability to fly for CAP in the future?

Not at all.  You're either a current and qualified pilot at whatever level you intend to fly, or you aren't.
If the school can't offer check rides any more, or past rides are invalidated that may be an issue, but
assuming you have the PPL, that's the "ticket", literally and figuratively.

Here's a concise article about the issue:
http://www.flyingmag.com/pilot-technique/new-pilots/flight-school-part-61-or-part-141

"Part 61 vs. Part 141 Flight Training:
When a flight school talks about training under Part 61 or being a Part 141 approved school, it is talking about the federal regulations under which it has the authority to train pilots. Both sets of regulations define minimum requirements for pilot training and certification.
Any FAA-approved flight instructor, whether associated with a flight school or not, may train a student under Part 61 regulations.
Part 141 regulations are related to the structure and approval of flight schools. Training under Part 141 regulations is permitted only by instructors associated with an FAA-approved flight school. In order to become approved, a flight school must meet certain requirements and submit each curriculum it wishes to have approved to the FAA for review. Part 141 approved schools are subject to regular surveillance audits by the FAA and must meet minimum pass rates on the practical exams.
Both methods of flight training require the student to meet the same standard of performance in order to obtain a pilot certificate. Where the methods differ is in rigidity and in some minimum requirements.
Ultimately, the way a student learns and his or her long-term goals may be the best criteria for deciding the regulations under which to train. After making that determination, the student needs to find the best fit among the choices within the preferred regulations. Both excellent and inferior flight instruction may be found under both sets of regulations.
The table below describes some of the potential advantages and disadvantages for the training regulations. It may be noted that some criteria can be both, depending on the student's training goals.

In short, either type of school teaches to the same requirements. A Part 141 school is particularly focused and perhaps better for a full-time student whose goal is a professional career. A Part 61 school is more flexible. So the important thing is to pick whichever one fits your schedule and flight goals better."

This situation might affect your professional aviation career, but not your ability to fly for CAP.

[grunt82abn]

How badly will this affect my ability to fly for CAP in the future?

Not at all.  You're either a current and qualified pilot at whatever level you intend to fly, or you aren't.
If the school can't offer check rides any more, or past rides are invalidated that may be an issue, but
assuming you have the PPL, that's the "ticket", literally and figuratively.

Here's a concise article about the issue:
http://www.flyingmag.com/pilot-technique/new-pilots/flight-school-part-61-or-part-141

"Part 61 vs. Part 141 Flight Training:
When a flight school talks about training under Part 61 or being a Part 141 approved school, it is talking about the federal regulations under which it has the authority to train pilots. Both sets of regulations define minimum requirements for pilot training and certification.
Any FAA-approved flight instructor, whether associated with a flight school or not, may train a student under Part 61 regulations.
Part 141 regulations are related to the structure and approval of flight schools. Training under Part 141 regulations is permitted only by instructors associated with an FAA-approved flight school. In order to become approved, a flight school must meet certain requirements and submit each curriculum it wishes to have approved to the FAA for review. Part 141 approved schools are subject to regular surveillance audits by the FAA and must meet minimum pass rates on the practical exams.
Both methods of flight training require the student to meet the same standard of performance in order to obtain a pilot certificate. Where the methods differ is in rigidity and in some minimum requirements.
Ultimately, the way a student learns and his or her long-term goals may be the best criteria for deciding the regulations under which to train. After making that determination, the student needs to find the best fit among the choices within the preferred regulations. Both excellent and inferior flight instruction may be found under both sets of regulations.
The table below describes some of the potential advantages and disadvantages for the training regulations. It may be noted that some criteria can be both, depending on the student's training goals.

In short, either type of school teaches to the same requirements. A Part 141 school is particularly focused and perhaps better for a full-time student whose goal is a professional career. A Part 61 school is more flexible. So the important thing is to pick whichever one fits your schedule and flight goals better."

This situation might affect your professional aviation career, but not your ability to fly for CAP.

Thank you!!! This really helps, I appreciate it!!!

[Cliff_Chambliss]

Sean; there are really two parts to your questions.

1.  You asked the impact of going from a Part 141 to 61 upon plans to fly within the CAP.  Answer, None at all.  CAP is not interested in which training path an individual used, only in the certificates held.
2.  What is the impact of the FAA withdrawing Part 141 from your school?  That is the question. 
What is the effective date of the Part 141 authorization withdrawal?  That date determines when you VA Benefits funding ends. 
When is the effective date of the FAA's withdrawal of testing privileges?  May be different from the above. 

Side Note:  Chances are up to now all your training has been geared towards the Practical Test Standards (PTS).  Effective yesterday those standards went out the window.  Go to the FAA Website and download the new Airman Certification Standards (ACS).  Basically the ACS brings a lot more of the written test into the practical test with a strong emphasis on Risk Factors and Management.  No a lot of change but no one needs a surprise on a flight test.

[JeffDG]

Nobody in CAP cares whether you do your ticket Part 61 or Part 141.  Nobody asks.

[grunt82abn]

Sean; there are really two parts to your questions.

1.  You asked the impact of going from a Part 141 to 61 upon plans to fly within the CAP.  Answer, None at all.  CAP is not interested in which training path an individual used, only in the certificates held.
2.  What is the impact of the FAA withdrawing Part 141 from your school?  That is the question. 
What is the effective date of the Part 141 authorization withdrawal?  That date determines when you VA Benefits funding ends. 
When is the effective date of the FAA's withdrawal of testing privileges?  May be different from the above. 

Side Note:  Chances are up to now all your training has been geared towards the Practical Test Standards (PTS).  Effective yesterday those standards went out the window.  Go to the FAA Website and download the new Airman Certification Standards (ACS).  Basically the ACS brings a lot more of the written test into the practical test with a strong emphasis on Risk Factors and Management.  No a lot of change but no one needs a surprise on a flight test.

Seems like the only one who cares what part it is, is the VA. I appreciate the link to the ACS standards!!!

[Al Sayre]

The VA got burned pretty badly with the whole Silver State Helicopter Flight School debacle (as did a lot of students)  I imagine they turned up the heat on the FAA a bit on 141 certifications.