Sheppard Air IFR

K902

K902

The New Guy
Looking at purchasing Sheppard Air's instrument written test prep. Who has used it? Is it compatible with iPad? Any input would be helpful. Thanks.
 
Don't know about iPad, but used two different products from them, as well as others from King, Sports and others. Shephard Air is the best bang for your buck IMHO if you are only needing prep for the written.

You WILL pass your test with a good score if you follow their instructions to the letter. Very different than the others out there, but very effective and much more affordable.
 
I used it and got a 90 on my instrument airplane written and immediately after a 96 on my instrument instructor written.
 
Sheppard Air is compatible with iPad. You pretty much get a choice of a desktop/laptop OR iPad version. Sheppard Air is definitely the pricey option. It is only necessary if the applicant is struggling with the knowledge needed to pass the written. With minimal opening of the can of worms here . . . the FAA written testing is archaic and does not accurately represent the operations that actual pilots deal with day-to-day. With that taken into account, many of our test preps prioritize rote memorization over all else. Sheppard Air is the KING of this rote memorization, they literally will go question by question and teach how to memorize the correct answer for any question involving arithmetic. If you're going to recommend this program, only do so to: those who don't care about money, and those who you are deeply concerned with passing the written.
 
I used Sheppard for all of my written exams and got 95+ on each. They really have the golden ticket for written tests, that is until the ACS comes around and all testing gets a nice overhaul .... To be honest I did not use their study method but I hear it's the way to go. I prefer to actually somewhat know what I'm doing and looking at just in case my memory fails. This way I had no problems arriving at the answer using arithmetic.
 
While I'm sure you can get a high score using it, you really do need to know all of that stuff. Your time would be much better spent reading the Instrument Flying Handbook and Instrument Procedures Handbook a few times, then accepting that you won't get a perfect score. Also, I can assure you, your DPE will know within 5 minutes into an oral exam that you didn't get a 97 on that written exam because of your knowledge.

By all means, use SA for something pointless, like the ATP written. But you can pass the instrument written exams the old fashioned way - by actually understanding the material.
 
Just do it.

There is an app for the iPad. There are explanations to each question which help in a slightly deeper understanding.

It certainly is no ground school but you will pass the written easily 90%+. I did learn a ton from it just don't be foolish enough to think it will help on your checkride.

Best of luck!
 
SA is great for passing the test, just realize that you do not know the material despite the 97% on your written.
 
william B said:
SA is great for passing the test, just realize that you do not know the material despite the 97% on your written.
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You don't have to study it towards memorization. Everyone seems to give Sheppard Air some bad reputation for memorization and primacy....IF you follow their instructions. You can use the study material any way you want and their explanations are 100x better if you actually want to learn the material. Gleim, for instance, is absolute garbage with their one word explanations.

Let's also not be foolish and realize the practicality of the written exams. Lots of that material is an absolute joke that it's being asked. Especially instrument? Being asked about various approaches that are no longer supported? Or some approaches that only have 10 active in the entire nation? Their hideous cross country examples, NDB, and VOR examples? I never understand the people who say "You don't know the material though"...when half that material will never be used (or even asked on an oral) in your entire life. The fact that I've been forced to spend over $1000 for a flawed and awfully written tests is an absolute joke, IMO.... But, they are changing it so I guess kudos to fixing something that has been broken.

I still think Sheppard is amazing for primacy or for studying. Whatever route you want. I'm just happy I'm done with their tests.
 
For what it's worth, we had a student at my flight school that used Sheppard. He passed the written test and did great on the oral and flight.
 
Used it for an ATP written a few years ago. I can't tell you how much it was worth my time, money, and sanity. Highly recommend
 
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