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PPL question

J

JeffD

I'm New Here
***Not about RV's, read on if you want to.***

A little out of place but I can't find anywhere better online. I first heard about the RV back on Discovery Wings(R.I.P.) when there was a show of one being built. That was about the time I realised thats what I want to do. However the first step is going to be getting a PPL certificate since I have a total of maybe an hour right seat in a C-172, 18 skydives, 3 model RC airplanes built/flown.

When looking through the FAA CFR's I did not really get an understanding of what is required for "ground school." I would like to do a home ground school and was wondering if anyone here has any experience with this. Also, I do not mean programs that can be purchased (like king schools etc...not that I think there is anything wrong with it).

The only thing I found was "suggested study materials" on P.6 of this document ( http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/media/faa-h-8083-27a.pdf )

Little more info on me: 23yr/o , B.S.E.E., little excess income at the moment (driving reason for home study), plenty of excess time I wish I could be using on building/flying a plane but as always its either money or time never both, Macon, Ga area incase anyone wants a cabin buddy/build buddy (255lbs gross weight :eek: but thats down 10 in the past month and dropping :) ).

Blue skies,
JeffD
 
Put that degree to work and start saving money. SAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE. Then spend SOME.
 
use a DVD ground school

I didn't have the time for a traditional ground school, so for both private & instrument I bought the Sporty's DVD course. About $200 each time. I also bought a Gleim test book and used the practice tests on Sportys.com. I got 100% on each test, but what is more important is that I feel I really understand the material.

I have no reason to suspect sporty's courses are better than any others - just thought I'd share my experience.
 
The catch to home study

All the FAA WRITTEN tests require the written recommendation of an instructor to take the test.

My suggestion is to find a CFI that is willing to SIGN YOU OFF to take the written test if you do the home study. My experience has been that most instructors will want you to take their ground school to get their signature for the written. Now if you are paying a CFI to fly with you, he should be able to judge by the way you answer his questions and what you KNOW about flying thus he may sign you off for the written.

Unless the regulations have been changed, once you pass the private written, you have two years to pass the check ride.

Sorry if this is not what you wanted to hear. Do not forget that you need to pass the physical to get the student pilot license. For some people, that is the hardest part.
 
Maybe its personal preference, but I think Sporty's DVD's are put together nicer and with better graphics than the King schools (which I have). But you cant go wrong either way - its all the same information. Try looking for someone to sell you theirs second hand, and/or, visit and join your local EAA chapter - many of them have a lending library of educational materials that will cost you nothing to check out, other than the $25 membership dues every year. You'll learn alot just hanging around the EAA hanger every weekend also, and many also offer ground school to their members once or twice a year very inexpensively. The more you immerse yourself in the flying community, the more opportunity to learn (and get stick time :) ) you'll have. I'm nearly twice as old as you and following the same path - several days ago I was asked to be on the board of directors of our EAA chapter - hanging out and participating WILL get you noticed and doors will start to open.

On edit after reading Gary's reply - there is a form in the back of the King schools study book that accompanies the course that acts as the signature authority to take the written test. I'm sure Sporty's must have the same thing.
 
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I agree with the others, if you dicipline yourself, you should be able to study the material yourself and pass the test with your CFI's recommendation. Especially now, when you can buy samples of the test itself. Believe it or not, there was a time when you couldn't. You may also check with any local community college's in your area. Many of them have these ground school courses taught by experienced instructors for a very reasonable price. Hope this helps. Glenn "Retired CFI-A/R"
 
Ah, I hadn't thought about trying to get the sign off from a CFI. Just looked at sportys, and I might just go that way.

Thanks!!! :)

I have a GS locally that is around $600, but its over 2 months (Nov 5th through Dec 29th) and then spring time I am going to take some masters classes which will conflict with the GS classes then.
 
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I didn't take ground school either--just a CFI who liked to throw a lot of questions my way, and self study. As the test got closer, the gleim practice tests were great. The test was a breeze as was the ground portion of the checkride.

Mike
 
Go to the airport and buy a copy of the Private Pilot Practical Test Standards (PTS) for about $6. These are the official standards to which you will be trained and to which you will be tested. In the front of the PTS booklet is a list of govt publications that contain everything you need to learn. The list is a little daunting but many of the publications are short, some are free or available on the internet, and most are inexpensive. Total to buy them all will be well under $100, maybe only $50. Then start reading. Next, find a young CFI who will agree to guide and tutor you privately (not through an FBO, they will charge more) for a nominal fee. This, I think, will be the surest, cheapest path to real knowledge. It is not enough to pass the written exam, you must really know the material to pass the oral portion of the practical exam. Watching videos will "prep" you for the written but you may find it inadequate preparation for the oral. If you buy the govt manuals you will have a reference library for later further study. I also recommend you take some flying lessons so as to have some practical experience to make sense of all the new information soon to come your way. You are not required to pass the written to start flying or even soloing. With your experience of obtaining a BSEE you should find this program challenging, fun, and well within your abilities. The money you save on videos can be spent flying. Good Luck, Steve PS: Gleim books are cheap and good.
 
Just an FYI for those who don't know yet. Almost all the FAA publications (FAR/AIM, PTS, the Handbooks etc etc etc etc) are available at

www.faa.gov

in pdf format. No reason to spend a dime on most of them.
 
Part 61 school

Hi Jeff,

If you do home study, your training will be under Part 61, so you'll need to find an instructor willing to use that less structured format. I found one at a smaller airport, got the books he recommended, then spent several months studying while I saved money for lessons. By the time I paid for my 1st lesson, I already had a lot of the book knowledge, which my instructor indicated really paid off in how quickly I learned. He signed me off to take the written with only a few hours of ground time, most of which was at my request to further explain things I kept missing on the practice tests. I used mywrittenexam.com for practice. By the time I took the test, I was consistently scoring @85% or better, and, to my surprise, I made a 97% on the real thing.

Some also say a flight simulator can really help, but I didn't go that route.

Good luck!
bill
RV7A, HS, VS & rudder done
 
Jeff,

There is another way that no one has mentioned.

Start taking flying lessons now. You instructor will help you select a training program that will work for you and him.

About half way through your flight training take your written test, finish your training, and take your check ride.

Remember, you have two years from the date of the test to pass your check ride. Those two years can go quickly if you get weathered out or cash is an issue.
 
There really is another area to look at besides the written exam!

61.105 requires receiving and logging ground training in certain areas, but allows for a home study course and self certifications.

61.107 also requires receiving and logging ground training from an instructor. Most of this stuff is covered during the normal course of flight training, but seldon specifically logged.

Some FSDO's are demanding that this information is logged and signed off prior to your check ride. There is no limitation regarding time.... the endorsement only needs to be done once, and lasts until you take your checkride.

If you pick a spot in the back of your logbook and detail the specific requirements, then ask your flight instructor to endorse the appropriate line when you cover it, it may save some time (and dollars)!

Keep in mind, that neither of the above have anything to do with the written test!!! I like the King courses, have used Gleim, a couple of CBT programs, and originally the FAA books that were available at the time. Anything will work... just a matter of personal preference.
 
The other thing I'd suggest is get your medical NOW. You wouldn't be the first that discovers you have issue at the time of the medical. Most issues are resolvable but it could take many months and you'd want to get on it immediately.
 
Junior College

I took my ground school at the local junior college. It was cheaper than the King course or any of the flight school ground schools, but it took longer to complete. I wasn't in any hurry. For me, all that memorization was the toughest part of getting my PPL. Well... that, and crosswind landings.

Also, I second the notion of getting your medical out of the way and starting your training before you invest a bunch in ground school -- and for darn sure before you start building an airplane. A lot of guys are surprised to learn that flying is really not their thing. Usually because it's a heck of a lot tougher to learn than they ever imagined, but also because those first few hours of slow flight and stalls can be genuinely terrifying.
 
FWIW - I used both the Sporty's and the Gleim materials along with the Jeppesen textbook. The sporty's stuff was ok but for me - I liked the straight forward approach that the Gleim stuff had. I was also not a very big fan of the Jeppesen text book. I like the free FAA stuff much more - seems to have less fluff to wade through.

I almost forgot - if your in Macon - talk to Chip at Lowe aviation - he is a CFI there and should be able to help you with your sign off for the written.
 
I never attended a formal ground school until I worked for the airlines. Self study with the help of a CFI keeps it relevent. Some years ago the local community college offered a private pilot ground school course. Stretching over a semester, was a real deal breaker for many people. I had several people tell me how much they wanted to learn to fly but were put off by the ground school class. My suggestion is to home study by book or DVD, depending on your preference. If you have a question, ask your instructor or a mentor.

John Clark
Retired Airline Type
RV8 Flying
 
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