Greg Robbins, president of Aviation Supplies & Academics, has been recognized for his efforts by the University Aviation Association as this year’s recipient of the W.W. Estridge Award.

The award was created to recognize industry representatives who have made significant contributions to collegiate aviation education while being actively involved in the UAA. To be nominated, a person must be working in aviation and have distinguished themselves as a strong supporter of aviation education.

Robbins has been with ASA for 16 years, first as a salesman and then in 2022 became the owner of the company. In addition to overseeing one of the larger aviation education suppliers in the country, he also holds a commercial pilot certificate with multiengine, instrument, and seaplane ratings.

About the Award

The award is named for former American Airlines Captain Walter W. Estridge Jr., described as a distinguished aviator and advocate for collegiate aviation education.

Estridge flew in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, the Berlin Airlift, and Korean War. After separating from the military he went to work at American Airlines, working with the air carrier for 31 years as a pilot  and instructor. He accumulated approximately 25,000 flight hours.

Outside of the cockpit, Estridge worked with the Air Transport Association (ATA) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) training committees. He was recognized for this with the IATA’s Brevet Award, as Estridge predicted that colleges and universities would soon play a vital role in the creation of airline pilots. That award was created to honor those who continue to forge the link between aviation education and industry leaders who rely on the learners coming out of colleges and universities.

The post ASA President Earns W.W. Estridge Award appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The CFI didn’t believe the learner for one minute, as we had known each other for years, and he knew I made lots of notes during these evaluations. The debrief is extensive and considerably longer than “passed with flying colors.”

The CFI sent the learner to me, he said, because he was the poster boy for the Dunning-Kruger effect. 

The Dunning-Kruger effect is a term for a cognitive bias in which people with limited knowledge or competence in a given intellectual or social domain overestimate their knowledge or competence in that domain—and here is the important part —relative to objective criteria. In this case, the Airman Certification Standards and their score on the FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test. 

This applicant scored an 82 on the knowledge test and scoffed that anything over 70 was overkill. 

It became apparent rather quickly that he may have known the information once, but he couldn’t give it back to me when I asked questions about aircraft systems, weather, and airspace—all the areas he had been shown “deficient” on the knowledge test.

This applicant was lucky in that his instructor knew he had soft spots that needed to be eliminated before the check ride. Some instructors don’t see them, and I maintain a subset of the Dunning-Kruger effect is when the recommending instructor overestimates the learner’s abilities. 

This happened to an acquaintance of mine who had a private pilot applicant fail during the oral part of the check ride due to inadequate knowledge of aircraft systems. The CFI had been teaching a 10-week private pilot ground school at a local community college and the learner was in the class. The learner passed the class with an “A,” so the CFI thought he knew the material. 

Neither the CFI nor the applicant were prepared for the failure. There were other similar failures from the class. A little bit of sleuthing revealed the structure of the program was to teach to the tests. The message was to memorize the answers and pass. This looked good on their transcripts, as it was a two-year program and many of the students went on to four-year institutions, but this lack of knowledge left them woefully unprepared for the cockpit.

How You Study Is Important

Studying for the check ride can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to organizing the materials.

The fine folks at Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA) have been doing this for decades with their oral exam guides. If the test involves an oral exam, ASA has a study guide for it, be it for flight ratings, aircraft dispatching, aircraft mechanic, or studying for your flight review.

For 30 years many of the ASA oral exam guides were written by recently retired Michael Hayes (respectful pause), who, through his concise and informative prose, helped thousands of pilots earn their certificates. The latest edition of the Commercial Pilot Oral Exam Guide appeared with a new author—none other than Jason Blair, an active flight instructor,  FAA designated pilot examiner, and a regular contributor to FLYING.

I have been using these books for years, both for my own study and to prepare my applicants for their tests. Full disclosure: When the newest editions are released, I go through them, cover to cover, just to make sure I am up to speed on what I am teaching. The ASA Commercial Pilot Oral Exam Guide is in its 11th edition, and I’ve been reading it to refresh and recharge my knowledge.

If you have never used one of these study guides, here is the skinny. The books are organized by subject matter: FARs, aircraft systems, weather, etc., making it easier to focus on knowledge areas that the learner is having trouble with. The material is presented in a  Q&A format. For example: “What is the difference between a de-ice system and an anti-ice system?” Answer: De-ice is used to eliminate ice that has already formed, while anti-ice is used to prevent the formation of ice. 

Scenarios are used for the most in-depth questions.

• READ MORE: Making the Most of a Ground Lesson

Although many learners don’t pick up a copy of the oral exam guide until just before check ride, you may find it useful earlier in your training as it helps to determine the depth of the knowledge required. This is especially good if you have a tendency to study minutia or have not enjoyed the benefit of working with a CFI with strong ground instruction skills.

The FAA reference for where to find the information is also listed.  I like this part the best, because when the examiner asks the learner where they found the information, you want them to be able to refer to a published FAA-vetted resource. Never ever, and I mean ever, reply, “My instructor told me.” That’s like comparing a spouse to that person you had a fling with in college. Just don’t do it.

The post Use Study Guides for a Better Check Ride Experience appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The Classics: Headsets, Gear bags, and Watches (Oh My!)

Quality Headset

Many pilots begin their training by renting a headset from the FBO or borrowing a hand-me-down from another pilot. If you’d like to give that pilot a headset of their own, there are plenty from which to choose.

The David Clark Company (the headsets with the distinctive green ear cups) has been protecting pilots for decades. The model H10-30 is still a beginning pilot favorite, and at less than $400 it does the job. On the higher end, you’ll find their automatic noise reduction models available from $745 to $895.

The two most popular ANR headsets on the market are the Bose A30 and Lightspeed Delta Zulu. Both will set you back about $1,200, which isn’t cheap, but both are aviation safety wearables, and most pilots will tell you they are comfortable, even on long flights. The Lightspeed also features a built-in carbon monoxide detector. The Bose and Lightspeed headsets also come with protective cases.

Pilot Gear Bags

They come in many shapes, sizes, and materials, but all have the same job—to hold the pilot’s supplies. You can find them in man-made fabrics that resist tearing and are relatively easy to repair, as well as in leather. The bag should be large enough to hold a headset, kneeboard, iPad, notepad, water bottle, writing implements, E6-B flight computer, and anything else your pilot needs or carries with them on flights.

Look for a bag with multiple pockets and compartments to keep the pilot organized. Some bags come with specially designed spaces for personal electronic devices. Some are designed to be carried with a shoulder strap like a duffle bag, while others are backpacks. Some are a hybrid of the two.

Prices start around $75 and go up from there. Companies that carry them include ASA, Sporty’s, and Flight Outfitters.

Pro tip: Look for a bag that has a reinforced bottom or corners because it’s going to be put down on cement ramps. You may also see if there is an option for monogramming. Most of the bags are black and tend to look alike, so do what you can to set your aviator’s gear apart from the rest.

Watches

There is a running joke that you can always tell a pilot by the size of their watch, but that has morphed into that you can tell if someone is a pilot because they wear a wristwatch rather than use their cellphone as a time-check device. The higher-end watches, like the Breitling designs, sell for $2,000 and up, and are beautiful chronographs. They are often worn by military demonstration teams.

Garmin D2 varieties continue to be popular. The Garmin D2 can help you check weather, monitor your vital signs, navigate via GPS, and when paired with your smartphone, take and make calls and send texts.

The Garmin D2 Mach 1 Pro does all these things and more, and has a built-in LED flashlight with white light, strobe, and red light for flight deck operations. For the sports minded, it has multiple functions to keep your training on track. The Garmin watches sell for $500 to $1,399.

For women, the Abingdon Co. continues to produce beautiful aviation-inspired timepieces (the bezel doubles as a flight computer) that look good on a slightly smaller wrist. Designed for women by a woman, they start at $485 and go up from there. This year, the Abingdon WASP watch to honor the Women Airforce Service Pilots is creating a lot of buzz in aviation circles.

Flight Jacket

No, you don’t really need a special jacket to be a pilot, but we all want one. It becomes our most prized possession and often a family heirloom. Fabric jackets such as the nylon MA-1 with its baseball styling is an aviation classic and available for around $90. The interior of the jacket is come-find-me-now orange, which could come in handy if the wearer has an unscheduled off-airport landing and needs to be spotted from the air.

The leather jackets, notably an A-2 look-alike from a department store will run you about $140, while an A-2 military spec flight jacket from companies that specialize in them (Sporty’s Pilot Shop, U.S. Wings) starts at about $250. The jackets with the sheepskin lining are considerably more, $930 and up for the real thing, but boy howdy, will they keep a person warm.

Pro tip: When it comes to the flight jacket, always order one size up from what the person usually wears. That way they will be able to layer it in the winter.

Hand-held Radios

There is a reason that so many pilot gear bags come with a pocket specifically designed to carry an aviation radio. It is a good item to have, providing a pilot with a backup should the aircraft’s radio fail in flight and providing a flight instructor the means to monitor a learner’s first solo flight from the ramp.

Sporty’s PJ2+ Com ($249) is a popular unit this year. If you would rather go with ICOM, expect to pay $269.95 to $579.95.

Pro tip: Remove the batteries from the device if it won’t be used for a while. This keeps it from going critical and corroding.

Tools

Oil Dipstick Remover

It’s one of those gifts most pilots don’t think to get for themselves, but there will come a time when everyone needs one. Usually this is after someone with gorilla-like strength has put the oil cap back on and tightened it with such force that you would think it insulted their parentage. Instead of wrestling with the recalcitrant cap or using a tool not designed for this purpose, resulting in damage to both the tool and cap, reach for the specialty tool.

From Aircraft Spruce: $13.95

Flashlights

Aviation flashlights with multiple-colored lenses are always appreciated. Some are designed to clip on to something so they can be angled. Some are so bright they can turn night into day. Some have the ability to strobe. Expect to pay around $12.95 to $99.95 for one, depending on the size and options you choose. Don’t forget to include batteries.

Screwdrivers

Screwdriver sets, Phillips or flathead or those with replaceable bits or with a magnet or claw tip, are always appreciated, as they tend to grow legs. Brass screwdrivers that can be used to swing a compass are particularly valued by avionics technicians.

Aircraft Spruce has a selection available.

Gift Cards

Tool Supplier Gift Cards

Because most mechanics are very particular about their tools, going with a gift card from their favorite tool supplier, such as Snap-on or Matco, is always in good taste.

Time Gift Certificates

If the flight school or FBO allows it, put some money on account for your aviator to use toward their training. It doesn’t have to be a lot. Pilots who are doing all sorts of things to economize, such as living off of ramen and hot dogs so they have more money to pay for flying, will appreciate this. Caveat: Before you do this, check to see if the flight school has an administrative fee for money on account. If the learner has to drop out of training for a time, it is very discouraging to learn that $300 that was put on their account has been eaten up by administrative fees. This is not uncommon when the school is known for questionable business practices.

Aviation Supply Gift Cards

You can’t go wrong with a gift certificate, as this allows the person to make their own selection, be it apparel, book, model, fuel strainer, or even parts for the airplane they are building in the hangar. They might even use it toward the purchase of an online ground school.

Go for the Whimsy

For the more fanciful gifts, Sporty’s has its Wright Bros. Collection. Colorful and comprehensive, it is a good resource for history buffs looking for that perfect gift from the dawn of aviation to the space program. You’ll find T-shirts, artwork, models, and books, and you’ll find a nice selection of holiday decorations as well, including the inflatable Santa in an airplane and the aviator nutcracker.

You can even find aviation-appropriate nonseasonal decorations. Let’s be real here. Who among us has not dreamed of having a hallway runner that looks like a runway or table lamp that looks like a runway light?

The post Holiday Shopping Ideas for Aviation Fans appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

For decades, ASA has been assisting pilots and maintenance technicians in preparation for FAA knowledge exams.The newly released prep material reflects the latest information and includes updates for two years.

Test Prep for Pilots and Mechanics

The Test Prep books are organized by subject matter and provide explanations for both correct and incorrect answers. ASA has texts covering remote pilot (drones), private, instrument, commercial, instructor, ATP, flight engineer, and aviation mechanic. The books contain the same charts, diagrams, and figures as the knowledge test. Each book has a FAA CT-8080, so the applicants will become familiar with the supplement materials they will see when they take the official knowledge test. Test prep books also include five online practice tests.

Prepware combines all the information found in the Test Prep book with computer-based training. The downloadable software installs to either Mac or PC and includes a two-year subscription to ASA’s Prepware Online, offering study and use-of-test features on digital platforms, including desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. This product also allows student integration with ASA’s Prepware School, which is Prepware designed to be used in the classroom.

Prepware Online includes a two-year subscription to any single test database, allowing the user to study using any digital device.

Test Prep Plus includes a book and the most current Prepware software along with a two-year subscription to Prepware Online. According to ASA, this arrangement has the most flexibility, offering the user the flexibility to study from a book or digital device. It is available for both pilots and mechanics.

Prepware School is designed for flight schools and training centers for multiuser support and study for all FAA knowledge exams—anytime, anywhere—from any internet-connected device.

Pricing ranges from $49.95 to $99.95. For more information, visit asa2fly.com.

The post ASA Releases 2024 Test Preps appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Mental Math for Pilots, Third Edition by Ronald D. McElroy–now available from Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA)–can help you with that.

According to ASA, the book teaches readers how to solve math problems in the cockpit without calculators, using solutions that are simple and practical for airborne contingencies. The mental math tools can be used in flight planning and to help pilots stay ahead  in the cockpit by performing more efficiently.

• READ MORE: Math 101 for Pilots

“In this book, pilots can learn the tricks of the trade for the areas where they have traditionally needed to sharpen their mental math skills: fuel planning, temperature conversions, reciprocal headings, turn radius, crosswind components, time-speed-distance problems, calculating true airspeed, the 60-to-1 rule, and many others,” ASA said in a release.

Among the techniques is how to determine the reciprocal heading by adding or subtracting 200 from a heading, then adjusting by adding or subtracting 20 to get the resultant. For example, if the aircraft is on a heading of 340 degrees – 200 = 140 + 20 = reciprocal of 340 is 160 degrees.

These skills can help pilots at all levels, including airline applicants during interviews.

In softcover, Mental Math for Pilots contains 104 pages and can be obtained from FBOs that stock pilot supplies, online retailers, or at asa2fly.com for $24.95.It is also available as an e-book for $19.95.

The post ASA Launches ‘Mental Math for Pilots, Third Edition’ appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

For years, Bob Gardner’s Say Again, Please: A Pilot’s Guide to Radio Communications has been an educational resource for pilots. The seventh edition of the popular book, first published in 1995, has just been released by Aviation Supplies & Academics Inc. The information reflects Gardner’s decades of experience as a flight instructor and designated pilot examiner as he explains how ATC works, and how to ask for what you want or need.

Say Again, Please has been recommended reading for aspiring pilots for the past 28 years. The new edition has been updated to reflect current aircraft equipment, navaids, changes in airspace infrastructure, rules, and procedures.

Gardner’s prose is conversational and concise. You feel as though you are sitting across the table from a favorite instructor as he lays out scenarios and presents typical radio transmissions and appropriate pilot procedures. The book takes the mystery out of pilot-to-controller speak.

This is more than a what-to-say book. Gardner goes into detail explaining how radio equipment works, radio etiquette and rules, the differences between VFR and IFR communications, emergency communications, the role of ATC facilities, and who to call when, as well as differences in procedures in different airspace. There is also a pilot/controller communication section with terms and phrases you will hear and need to use.

Say Again, Please is available in softcover from FBOs, online retailers of asa2fly.com for $24.95.

The book can also be purchased as an e-book viewed on both small and large screens for use with the ASA Library app for $19.95.

For more information, visit asa2fly.com.

The post ‘Say Again, Please’ Remains a Must-Read for Pilots appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

“The slides are categorized and labeled to make them easy to identify for the chapter and subject you want to use,” according to ASA. “The graphics can be viewed as a slideshow, or you can use individual slides in your own presentation.”

• READ MORE: What Does It Take to Become an A&P?

The slides, more than 3,000 in all, are pulled from the General, Airframe, and Powerplant FAA Handbooks covering the Aviation Maintenance Technician knowledge requirements including:

• Mathematics and physics
• Electricity
• Aircraft drawings
• Weight and balance
• Fluid lines and fittings
• Cleaning and corrosion control
• Aerodynamics
• Assembly and rigging
• Airframe systems
• Reciprocating engines
• Turbine engines
• Powerplant auxiliary systems

These are all the subjects required by Part 147 and the Aviation Mechanic Airman Certification Standards (ACS-1).

The slides are available from brick-and-mortar stores or online marketplaces for a suggested retail price of $49.95.

For more information, visit asa2fly.com

The post Eyes-On Approach Offered to Simplify Aviation Maintenance Technician Study appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

An Illustrated Guide to Flying by expert aviation author and instructor Barry Schiff introduces key concepts and provides a solid orientation for those new to aviation using the effective combination of succinct words and copious illustrations and photos. The full-color, 216-page book, published by Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA), came out this week, just in time to tuck it into a budding pilot’s stocking—or get it on your wish list for the new year. It’s a great first read for folks who have been considering learning to fly—or who are really anywhere in the process of initial flight training.

The guide launches with a brief primer on aviation history, presumably to help orient the reader, and a timeline of key events over the course of that history. Then, the book dives into well-chunked information on basic flight maneuvers, engines, instrumentation, navigation, weather, types of aircraft, ATC, regulations, and performance.

I’ve known Barry Schiff since I first worked with him as a young associate editor at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Captain Schiff had retired from TWA after 34 years of flying the line, and he had contributed to AOPA Pilot since longer than I had been holding a pen, it seemed. I’ll never forget the fearsome first time I picked up the phone to query him about a potential error I’d found in his column. Turned out, I was right—and he was eminently gracious about it. He brings this same familiar yet expert style to An Illustrated Guide to Flying.

Guidance from an Expert

I asked Barry about the genesis of the book, and what gap in the market he sought to fill with the guide. “I wanted to create something that would get people excited about the prospect of learning to fly,” he said. “The book obviously is not intended to prepare someone for an FAA written exam or improve their flying skills. Rather, it is intended to expose the reader to what is involved in flying. I would like to think that the book will inspire some readers to head for their local airports, visit their local flight schools, and take that first step toward experiencing that heady adventure of becoming a pilot.

“Simply stated, I am hoping that my book will inspire some readers to begin the exciting process of learning to fly.

“As far as selecting which topics to include in the book is concerned, I wanted to include those subjects that broadly expose the reader to what is involved in learning to fly.”

While there have been other entry-level manuals to explore the flying experience, An Illustrated Guide to Flying hits the mark with the level of the prose involved—neither too full of jargon nor too basic in a way that would condescend to a broad audience. The final chapter, on learning to fly, gives the reader just enough to tease them into doing just as Barry suggests: picking up the phone, heading to the nearest FBO’s website or social page, or dropping by a flight school on their next drive. And that’s the intention throughout—to give just enough information to spur someone on to want to learn more.

You can order the book directly from ASA for $19.95 in either a print, PDF, or eBook format, or from Amazon.

The post Good FLYING Reads: Barry Schiff’s ‘An Illustrated Guide to Flying’ appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Ground school is the first step a student pilot needs to take on the way to achieving most flight certificates and ratings, from a sport pilot certificate to an airline transport pilot certificate. If you’re already a pilot and looking to achieve your instrument rating, check out our article on the best IFR ground schools.

While most elements of aviation education need to be completed in person, there are online ground schools available to prepare aspiring pilots for the FAA knowledge test.

All of the online options have a variety of offerings, including banks of information relative to the written exam, sample test questions, and links to other resources to help pilots prepare for their knowledge and practical tests. 

Quick Look: Best Online Ground Schools to Consider

• Best For Self-paced Learning: Pilot Institute Online Ground School
• Best For Tech-savvy Pilots: Sporty’s Private Pilot Learn to Fly
• Best For Busy Pilots: Angle of Attack Online Ground School
• Best For Free Courses: Gold Seal Online Ground School
• Best For Lifetime Access to Digital Resources: Rod Machado 40 Hour Private Pilot eLearning Ground School
• Best For Future IFR Pilots: ASA Private Pilot Online Ground School
• Best For Multiple Ground School Options: Gleim Aviation Online Ground School
• Best For Money-Back Guarantee: King Schools

7 Best Online Ground School Options

Depending on your current level of aviation knowledge, your budget, and your timeframe, one of the many online ground schools may suit you better than the others. Here is a look at six of the best options.

Pilot Institute Online

If you don’t pass the written test, Pilot Institute will send you $175 cash on top of a full refund for the course. This option is also self-paced, and 99.8 percent of students do, indeed, pass their written exams. They also offer a Facebook group for online study and discussion with classmates and a 44-page study guide.

Best For: Pilots who are nervous about their ground school investment

Website: Pilot Institute Online

Course Length: Self-paced with a long list of practice examinations—20 hours, generally (courses can be sped up or slowed down to match learning style).

Subscription Access: This includes lifetime access to all materials, even those that are added after you pass your exam.

What You’ll Learn: In addition to these areas of study, the course also offers a flashcard app for your phone to help you practice for the exam.

• Airports and lingo
• Weather patterns
• How to choose a flight school
• Aircraft systems
• Flight instruments
• Aerodynamics
• Performance limitations

Pricing: $199

Angle of Attack Online Ground School

Certified Flight Instructors teach a student in the cockpit while flying, but it is important if you take online flight ground school to also have a CFI who is actively teaching. Angle of Attack is taught by Chris Palmer and features beautiful, modern videography and first-hand flight scenarios to help students become better pilots. Take these courses on the go, too, by downloading them natively to your device.  

Best For: Busy Pilots

Website: Angle of Attack Online Ground School

Course Length: There are 10 sections, with multiple courses in each section. 

Subscription Access: Lifetime Access, with a subscription offering for only the ground school or include the Checkride ACE Course for only $70.

What You’ll Learn:

• Orientation & Aerodynamics
• Human factors
• Aircraft Systems
• Weather Theory
• Aviation Weather
• Performance
• Airports
• Airspace
• Flight Planning
• Next Steps

Pricing: $279 for lifetime access (Bundle with the Checkride ACE for $349)

Sporty’s Private Pilot Learn to Fly 

Pilots who want an easy-to-follow, deep-knowledge course to prepare them for their written test. They offer a TV app so you can watch your instructional videos on a large screen, and offer a phone app that allows access to their training resources at any time. 

Best For: Self-Paced Learning

Website: Sporty’s Private Pilot Learn To Fly  

Course Length: The course is self-paced and is expected to take about 15 hours of study and practical time in order to be prepared for the written test.

Subscription Access: Lifetime access—even to updated materials

What You’ll Learn: The Sporty’s course offers a very extensive outline and you can customize your areas of focus based on your weaknesses and strengths. Here are some key points:

• Maneuvers
• Faa Regulations
• Aircraft Familiarity
• Weather Patterns
• In-Cockpit Feel Via Their Video Catalog 

Pricing: $299

Gold Seal Online Ground School

Future pilots who want to take some free classes to test the waters first, and also for “rusty pilots” as they offer a “flight review” course similar to ground school that helps current pilots brush up on their skills. 

Best For: Tech-Savvy Pilots

Website: Gold Seal Online Ground School

Course Length: There are 6 modules, and each can be completed in a few hours. 

Subscription Access: There is a lot of free content, but subscription access grants you a lot more and is good for life. 

What You’ll Learn:

• Getting Started
  • Pilot Qualifications
  • Aircraft Parts
  • Aerodynamics
  • Instrument Panel
• Your First Few Hours
  • Zulu Time/Phonetic Alphabet
  • Charts
  • Airport Operations
• Skill Building
  • Engine Systems
  • Ground Maneuvers
  • Turns
  • Recoveries
• Aviation Weather
• Real World Flying
  • VOR
  • GPS
  • Night Flight
  • Flight Plans
• Passing Your Test

Pricing: $229 for full access (about ⅓ of materials are free to access)

Rod Machado 40-hour Private Pilot eLearning Ground School

Aspiring pilots looking to gain knowledge in a light-hearted atmosphere with plenty of one-on-one availability for questions and confirmations. The videos are as fun as they are educational, and the lessons can be customized to ensure there is more focus on areas of weakness. 

Best For: Lifetime Access to Digital Resources

Website: Rod Machado 40-hour Private Pilot

Course Length: Self-paced—40 hours are recommended

Subscription Access: Lifetime access to all training materials is included in the price. 

What You’ll Learn:

• Aerodynamics (Parts 1 and 2)
• Airplane Engine
• Electrical System
• Flight Instruments
• FAR
• Airport Operations
• Radio Operations
• Understanding Airspace
• Aviation Maps
• Radio Navigation
• Understanding Weather
• Cross Country Flight Planning

Pricing: $279

ASA Private Pilot Online Ground School

Pilots who want an extensive library of information that can help them learn well beyond the study requirements for the exam. They also offer an instrument pilot ground school for a few more dollars, and if you’re planning on pursuing an IFR rating and/or becoming a commercial pilot, this is a great option to get ahead early.

Best For: Future IFR Pilots

Website: ASA Private Pilot Online Ground School

Course Length: 2-4 weeks (self-paced)

Subscription Access: 24-month access to all materials including prepware.com

What You’ll Learn:

• Aerodynamics
• Aircraft Systems
• Flight Instruments
• Regulations
• Airport Operations
• Weather
• Aircraft Performance
• Enroute Flight
• Navigation
• Communication
• Test Tips

Pricing: $180

Gleim Aviation Online Ground School

Gleim has a lot of ground school options. In addition to their basic private pilot ground school, they also offer ground school training for aspiring sport pilots as well as classes for future instructors, airline transport pilots (ATP), flight engineers, and more. 

Best For: Multiple Ground School Options

Website: Gleim Aviation Online Ground School

Course Length: Self-paced; average of 35 hours

Subscription Access: 12 months

What You’ll Learn:

• Airplanes and Aerodynamics
• Airplane Instruments, Engines, and Systems
• Airports, Air Traffic Control, and Airspace
• Federal Aviation Regulations
• Airplane Performance and Weight and Balance
• Aeromedical Factors and Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM)
• Aviation Weather
• Aviation Weather Services
• Navigation: Charts and Publications
• Navigation Systems
• Cross-Country Flight Planning

Pricing: $160

King Schools

If you’re on the fence about online pilot courses and want one with a good guaranteed return, look no further than King Schools. They not only offer a 30-day full refund, they also promise you’ll get your money back if you fail your FAA test within one year of purchase. On top of a great guarantee, King Schools courses are well-known for their lighthearted tone and effective teaching style. Course access includes an app to make learning and studying easy on the go.

Best For: Money-Back Guarantee

Website: King Schools Private Pilot Online Ground School

Course Length: Self-paced; 15 hours of video lessons

Subscription Access: Lifetime access, including future updates

What You’ll Learn:

• Aerodynamics
• Aircraft performance
• Airspace
• Communications & Radar Services
• How to read & understand sectional charts
• Flight Operations
• FAA Regulations
• Safe Flight Operations
• Navigation
• Weight and Balance
• How to Ace Your Test

Pricing: $299

What Is an Online Ground School?

Ground school is the first thing all aspiring pilots need to take in order to prepare them for the FAA written exam that will prove their competency, ultimately allowing the pilot to get a student’s certificate. This certificate is the gateway to all types of pilot certification. 

Some ground schools are in-person, but with so much technology available to make the online classroom seem more like the brick-and-mortar one, online flight schools hold a similar level of accreditation as their in-person counterparts—but can be completed at home and generally on the student’s own schedule. 

How Do Online Ground Schools Work?

No certification can actually be earned via online ground school (or in-person ground school, for that matter), but preparation for the FAA knowledge exam is very important, as the test is expensive and can only be attempted a limited number of times per calendar year. 

Online ground schools use video and text to educate aspiring pilots on everything they could be asked on their exams to get their student pilot certificate. 

What to Consider With an Online Ground School

As the FAA exam is the same no matter your prior education level, most ground schools will offer the same basic package. Depending on your areas of expertise, bank account, flexibility, and learning style; however, it’s a good thing that there are multiple school options to choose from. Before enrolling in an online training program, you should consider the following. 

Instructor Expertise

In order to apply for the FAA knowledge exam, aspiring pilots must have an endorsement from a CFI stating that they are ready to take the test. Knowing this, you should first be sure your online ground school offers a path to this endorsement. 

Some courses have single instructors while others have multiple, but as long as there is an option to ask qualified instructor questions, the ability to ask a single instructor versus multiple ones has a pretty even mix of pros and cons. 

Easy Course Access

If you’re very busy, online ground school is almost certainly your best option. Furthermore, some of these courses offer apps for phones and tablets, as well as downloadable content that you can study while not connected to the internet. 

Quality of Course Materials

All of these courses offer a preview of their course materials, and it’s up to you to decide which style you prefer. Some are more video-based, and others are more text, but all of the options on this list offer quality knowledge. 

Strong Community Support

If you’re someone who likes to learn in a group setting, the online option may be a bit off-putting, but some of these courses offer real-time support with an instructor, as well as group meetings via Zoom (or similar) so you can interact with fellow classmates. 

Online Ground School Reviews

The aviation community is a pretty small one, so each review holds a little more weight than that of something like a restaurant, so you might take a look at reviews regarding a course. 

Course Pricing

Most of these courses hover between $250 and $300—though some are even less—but be sure to check if you have unlimited access to the materials. If not, you may want to consider a slightly more expensive option that allows you to continue accessing lessons long after you pass your FAA written exam.

Online Ground School vs Physical Ground School

With so many advancements in remote learning (many spawned out of necessity during the pandemic), the digital classroom has almost everything you would want in a physical classroom, outside of a handshake with the instructor. 

For more practical applications in aviation, like a check ride, a significant amount of hands-on training is a necessity, but for preparation for a written exam, such as that which ground school prepares you for, you may be well served by studying online. 

Study Time

With both online and in-class sessions, there are plenty of options for preparing you to pass the FAA-required exam to get your private pilot certificate. Online offers a bit more flexibility, and money saved on trips to and from a brick-and-mortar classroom. 

Online classes also offer access to materials that you can use even after your exam. If you’re tech-savvy and need a flexible schedule, online ground school is probably the best option for you.

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The post What Is the Best Online Ground School for You? appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Your instructor will often guide you to the apps that will best correspond with the training syllabus and course outline. However, your learning style can also determine which program will work best for your needs.

Over the years, we have found that the companies listed within this article have provided quality aviation training materials and have now delivered the same quality in mobile formats. The apps in this roundup should get you started navigating the aviation training landscape.

Quick Look: Best Apps for Pilots in Training

• Best for mobile access to online courses: King Schools
• Best for test prep: Sporty’s Pilot Shop
• Best for online ground school: Gold Seal
• Best for comprehensive aviation library: ASA
• Best for modern aviation training: Angle of Attack
• Best for flight simulation: X-Plane Flight Simulator
• Best for post-flight debriefs: CloudAhoy
• Best for digital aviation training content: Boldmethod
• Best for digital logbook: Smart Logbook (iOS/Android)
• Best for pilot proficiency: Pilot Workshops

10 Top Pilot App Options

Kings Schools

Best for: Mobile access to online courses

The King Schools KING Ground School Companion App enables students to download and watch videos plus answer the video lesson questions for most of the King Schools ground school courses. Students can download their next lessons while connected to a Wi-Fi service and then interact with them offline. Once they reconnect, all their progress is synced with the servers and available the next time they access their course. The app is compatible with iOS devices.

The King Schools KING Test Prep App provides students with three ways to prepare to ace their FAA written test, including question reviews, flashcards, and practice exams. Preparation materials can be downloaded, allowing students to use the app when offline. The app is compatible with KING Ground School and Test Prep courses for most certifications and ratings. The app is compatible with iOS and Android devices.

Sporty’s Pilot Shop

Best for: Test prep

The Sporty’s Pilot Shop Sporty’s Pilot Training app brings various aviation training courses to one location. The Learn To Fly Course, for example, covers private pilot certification, while the Instrument Rating Course focuses on the instrument rating prep. All courses provide comprehensive content and tools to enhance the student learning experience. Sporty’s Study Buddy apps offer learning, flashcard, and test modes to prepare students for the private, instrument, sport, and remote pilot FAA written tests. All apps are compatible with iOS and Android devices.

Gold Seal

Best for: Online ground school

Gold Seal offers online ground school training with a revolutionary approach. They offer courses for private, instrument, and remote pilots. Their approach provides fully interactive lessons, industry leading amination, integrated ground and flight training, true knowledge transfer, and guaranteed success.

After certification completion, Gold Seal also provides a flight review course to help pilots renew their credentials every two years and a means for “rusty” pilots to get current again. Courses can be accessed from any desktop, laptop, or mobile device, anytime, and anywhere.

Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA)

Best for: Comprehensive aviation library

Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA) hosts a wide range of pilot training apps, from FAA knowledge exam prep (i.e., Prepware apps) to practical exam prep for each certificate and rating. Geared toward those who want a comprehensive system, with digital and printed versions of most titles, ASA is a great starting point to orient a potential pilot. ASA apps are compatible with iOS and Android devices.

Angle of Attack

Best for: Modern aviation training

Angle of Attack offers a new, fresh, and modern spin on aviation training. They focus on blending the latest in learning technology, visual learning, and modern flight techniques to make every student’s study time exceptionally efficient. They offer private pilot and instrument online ground schools, as well as checkride prep. The Angle of Attack app is compatible with iOS devices.

X-Plane Flight Simulator

Best for: Flight simulation

In late 2019, Laminar Research, parent to the well-known X-Plane flight simulator software, released a mobile app called X-Plane Mobile. The app gives pilots the flexibility to choose from any of 30,000 different airports around the world, 11,000 of which Laminar says come with rich, locally realistic scenery. For a monthly fee, the app also offers pilots the chance to fly a variety of airplanes, including a Beech Baron, a King Air, a Boeing 737, military fighter jets, and more. The X-Plane app is compatible with iOS and Android devices.

CloudAhoy

Best for: Post-flight debriefs

CloudAhoy is a flight debriefing app for pilots. CloudAhoy’s newest version of the software offers the CFI Assistant feature that scores students’ maneuvers based on Airman Certification Standards. Each flight is also automatically analyzed and broken down into segments to easily evaluate student performance. A free trial is available to help users determine if the system is useful for them. The CloudAhoy app is compatible with iOS devices.

Boldmethod

Best for: Digital aviation training content

Boldmethod specializes in shareable digital aviation training content, with a sharp focus on flight training. The power behind its programs lies in the daily engagement, quizzes, video stories, and instructor tools to supplement their lesson plans. A series of apps features content from their online courses, covering VFR publications, aviation weather, airspace, and more. Course progress uploads to the Boldmethod cloud for users of the program. The Boldmethod app is compatible with iOS devices.

Smart Logbook

Best for: Digital logbook

Smart Logbook makes logging flight hours fast and easy. When applying for a new rating or attending a job interview, pilots can easily access their flying totals, over any span of time, in any type of aircraft. The first 50 logged hours constitute a free trial, with in-app purchases to give pilots the customization they need for their unique missions. The Smart Logbook app is compatible with iOS and Android devices.

Pilot Workshops

Best for: Pilot proficiency

Pilot Workshops provides pilots with courses and manuals that enhance their VFR and IFR flying skills, while maximizing the utility of their pilot certificates. Of particular interest are the company’s courses and tips on flying on instruments and using flight simulation at home to supplement training and flight currency. Pilot Workshops courses and manuals are available through Sporty’s Pilot Training app, which is compatible with iOS and Android devices.

Train on the Go With the Best Flying Apps

We’ve explored several aviation apps that can enhance and accelerate your flight training. From completing ground school on the go to logging flight training in real-time, there is an app to assist you along each step of your journey. To stay informed on all the latest aviation apps, subscribe to FLYING Magazine today.

FAQ

What apps do pilots use for weather?

Aviation apps such as ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, FltPlan Go, WingX, Stratus Insight, and FlyQ offer great options for weather briefings. Pilots can overlay their flight plan route on different weather maps for enhanced situational awareness.

What apps do most pilots use?

Most pilots use apps such as ForeFlight Mobile, Garmin Pilot, MyRadar, Sporty’s Pilot Training, StationWeather, FlightAware, Infinite Flight, ForeFlight Passenger, Sporty’s E6B, CloudAhoy, FlyQ EFB, LiveATC Air Radio, LogTen Pro, AOPA, X-Plane, FltPlan Go, Skytimer, SkyDemon, Cloud Topper, and RadarScope.

What is the best flight companion app?

ForeFlight Mobile is an all-in-one pre-flight and in-flight app that includes moving maps, approach charts, terrain awareness, weather graphics, weight and balance, fuel planning assistance, flight plan filing, a digital logbook, flight playback, and a whole lot more. The app has even replaced paper chart resources and portable GPS units for a lot of pilots.

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