Online Private Pilot Ground School

Kestrel452 said:
Anyone have good/bad experiences with online classes such as www.aviationwise.com

I don't know of any formal ground schooling around me so I figure this is better than just trying to self study.
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You CAN self-study.

Use the practice writtens or a Gleim as a framework, and then seek the knowledge where you're deficient. I found Rod Machado's Private Pilot book an outstanding resource - often clarified or explained things that the AFH and FAR/AIM did not.

Use your instructor to explain the more difficult concepts to you, or to go into areas in more depth.
 
I know I can, and I'm willing to do so. I just don't feel it's as optimal as a classroom environment. I do much better when I am given a course structure.
 
I bought the ASA DVD set but it just doesn't cover enough information to get me up to the test taking level. It's like a bare bones preparation for real classes.
 
I used the ASA private pilot, blue book and I did just fine on the test. I also had the bulky Jeppesen PPL book for reference. That's all you need to ace the PPL rating. I've never used any DVDs because usually I lose interest, I need to actually read things but that's me. You might want to try Gleims, I've switched to them for every other rating because they're just a little more thorough.
 
When I did my private I had a book/CD combo from my flight school. For example lesson 1 IIRC talked about the parts of a plane, etc. and had some homework. Then I did it and brought it to my instructor before our flight. We then went flying with the info that I had learned with the coursework, in this case the focus was the preflight. The info they wrote was all propitiatory to that school - ie they wrote it themselves as well as the course.

I felt that was a very effective way to learn to fly. It seems most places now have gone totally to "self study" which is fine but will most likely isn't the most effective.

To the OP: there are 2 different things to study for. The FAA written and background info on the metrics of flying. The FAA written is generally done by yourself reviewing the Gleim. You buy the book and go thru the questions one by one.

This Private Private manual by Jeppesen is actually really good as well. It contains a lot of background info.
 
Kestrel452 said:
I bought the ASA DVD set but it just doesn't cover enough information to get me up to the test taking level. It's like a bare bones preparation for real classes.
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I bought the asa when I did my IR. I thought it was terrible! I would never by an asa video series again, nor would I recommend one. Again, just my opinion.
 
I would NOT recommend King DVDs. For that matter, I have watched King and ASA DVDs, I've learned more with ASA.

My advice:

-Gliems or ASA Test Prep Questions
-Plotter
-E6B Flight Computer
-Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
-FAR/AIM

If you want to go online and study for the exam, I have heard good things about American Flyers. I believe it is around $125. Also, use exams4pilots.org for FREE practice tests. The test and actually knowing the information are different. If I could do it all over, I would have saved alot of time, money and aggrivation by doing it this way.
 
mooneyguy said:
I bought the asa when I did my IR. I thought it was terrible! I would never by an asa video series again, nor would I recommend one. Again, just my opinion.
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The CFI DVD is supposed to be good though. The Jepp DVDs I heard are the same boring stuff. And King Schools is just way overpriced....
 
If you're looking for a classroom, I know both American Flyers and IAA have groundschools at DPA, AmFlyers being a bit more in the pocket book. If PWK's closer, I know Windy City Flyers is there, not sure of any classes.
And also, the groundschool at IAA is cheaper than the King DVD's and it comes with a bunch of books, plotter, and the giant Jepp book. If you already have the stuff, then the price goes down.
 
I've bought the Cessna/King Cleared for... courses and for me they're great! And that's despite the cheesy humor and banter from the instructors. I bought them used here and on ebay and saved a ton of money. For me, I have found that I learn better watching the video so I can visualize what's going on with a particular concept and follow it up with one on one instruction from my CFI. The Cleared for Takeoff costed me right around $300 and came with a whole flight bag worth of stuff. After that, I bought used Instrument and Commercial courses for around $125 each. It's saved me a TON of money on ground school, and I'm guaranteed to be learning from experienced instructors.

The online ground courses are equivalent to the DVD/CD-ROM courses. It's my understanding that you can refer back the online course at any time. The drawback is that after you're finished with the course, you probably can't sell the online course to someone else who needs it. You can do that with the DVD courses.
 
I did an online instrument rating course once - paid $80 for it (can't remember the name of the site now). Anyways, I got through three of the lesson plans and could never get the other 8 unlocked. The instructor was unresponsive for months. I wrote the guy who runs the site and received an obscenity laden response in return. I ended up eating the $80. Based on my experience, I would discourage it.
 
I used the King dvd set. It's very good information wise, its just so boring it will put you to sleep quicker then Ambien.

I also used the Asa blue book. I really liked it, has questions at the end of every chapter and explains all the possible choices.
 
Buy the Sportys Private Pilot DVD Set. It's expensive, but worth it. I have the Instrument set, and review it still today.
 
mooneyguy said:
I would say buy a King or sporty's course before doing an online ground school. Then you would have the dvd's for future review. imo
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NOTE - I'm not trying to skirt whatever advertising rules Doug has on here, so delete this if I'm out of line in putting a plug out there.


The online course that we sell is identical to our DVD course with the added benefit that any video or graphic updates we make to the video is automatically inserted into your course so that it's always up to date. You can review it anytime from anywhere.

http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/private_pilot_training_course.cfm
 
firebirdswm said:
NOTE - I'm not trying to skirt whatever advertising rules Doug has on here, so delete this if I'm out of line in putting a plug out there.


The online course that we sell is identical to our DVD course with the added benefit that any video or graphic updates we make to the video is automatically inserted into your course so that it's always up to date. You can review it anytime from anywhere.

http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/private_pilot_training_course.cfm
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I can second that.
I bought the sportys online groundschool for my private because I needed a quick pass (less than a week) and it is great! I would recomend it to anyone!
 
The Cessna Pilot Center/King course, will be online soon. Right now, the CPC system is on 27CDs (No, I have no idea whey they don't just burn it all to one DVD :confused: )

I think online is the way to go, as long as the content is already done, since it is pretty easy to get net access almost everywhere. MS Aviation linked below, offers you the option of how you want it.

A few more established online courses, that give knowledge as well and are not just a 'take practice test to learn' type format:

http://www.jeppesen.com/personal-solutions/aviation/online-training.jsp
Well established company, used by a number of universities.

http://www.pilottraining.com/
They have DVD, download, or online versions for private.

http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/pages/onlinecourses.cfm
Based on the DVD course they have had for years.
 
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