“Ground School” has evolved over the years to be “studying to pass the FAA knowledge test”. But understanding the important things that keep you safe and in one piece are the first and most important things you should learn. Unfortunately, this most important knowledge is not taught for the classical “test prep” ground school.

“Ground School ” is actually three specific areas of knowledge:

• Learning the flight and aircraft operation procedures before getting in the cockpit, the most fun part of ground school.
• Learning the aeronautical knowledge (weather, sectionals, cross country, etc.).
  This is also an interesting part of ground school that is used be be a safe pilot.
• Learning the answers to the FAA Questions to pass the knowledge test.
  This is the least interesting and can be the scariest. It requires unnecessary time spent and additional brain volume required that does us the least good.

Note that the test prep ground school is required, but not at the beginning of flight training or important ground school. Some people feel that passing the FAA knowledge test is all the ground school you need. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The FAA Knowledge test is simply some measure of the applicents ability to remember some of the concepts plus the regulations.

If you can learn the fun and most important stuff first on the ground in “Ground School”, it is more efficient than using the cockpit as the classroom which costs you 3 to 5 times as much to learn the knowledge. Do not worry, all the fun ground school builds towards the final phase of “ground school” to take the FAA Knowledge Test and the Checkride. It is easier to learn the information and than be able to answer the FAA questions, when memorize the questions and answers.

See the DVD’s to learn the fun flying stuff first:

Check out the DVD trailers and see. youtube.com

youtube.com

Weather For Sport Pilots – the most important concept minus METARS.

youtube.com

The “Hamilton Pilot Training System” (HPTS) www.sport-pilot-training.com is designed to accomplish learning the fun stuff first and then the rest comes easier. You watch the DVD’s before you crack a book. You “learn to fly” in a way that makes learning fun.

The three “ground schools” are included with lesson plans in the “Sport Pilot Training Syllabus and Workbook” at:

www.ap-stores.com.

Fixed Wing Airplane

http://www.ap-stores.com/p-47-sport-private-pilot-training-syllabus-airplane-book.aspx

Weight-Shift Control Trike

http://www.ap-stores.com/p-48-sport-pilot-training-syllabus-weight-shift-control-trike-book.aspx

Powered Parachute

http://www.ap-stores.com/p-49-sport-pilot-training-syllabus-powered-parachute-book.aspx

Sport Pilot Prepware

First, it should be understood that taking the knowledge test can be done at any time before the checkride.

The knowledge test is simply multiple choice questions which are generally easy to practice and master. Studying can be done through a formal ground school class, using the Test Prep Book, and/or using the Prepware CD. Let’s look at your options.

A formal ground school class – A class with an instructor and other students – This is great because you get to meet other students and interact with the instructor. The stories and experience of the instructor provide a great resource of knowledge. However, it is hard to find a class that can work with schedules.

Test Prep Book – This is the classic and least expensive method for studying the knowledge test questions. It is broken up into sections with an explanation of the content of the section to cover the topics covered. Then, you move into the questions for the section, read the question, and the correct answer is supplied with an explanation of the right and wrong answers. This is a great way to get started and you can bring the book anywhere you want. However, you do need an instructor endorsement which can cost money and time. Typically after the book is utilized, students move to the Prepware CD.

Prepware CD – This has all the explanations and questions the book has, except it has three big advantages:

• You can practice the questions by section, categorize, track the sections and questions you need work on, a number of options to quickly organize and improve your weak areas.
• You can practice taking the tests just like you do at the FAA testing center. I suggest you get a 90% on the practice test, than you are guaranteed to pass the actual test above the minimum 70% required (nobody that I know has ever failed the actual knowledge test using this technique).
• You can get an endorsement by sending in two practice tests that you scored above 80% on. You can take as many tests as you want and e mail in the results of two tests for your endorsement. This saves you the time and money of hiring an instructor to train, test and provide you the endorsement.

Overall, I suggest you start with the book so you can learn anywhere without the computer, than use the Prepware CD to finish the process off. However, many applicants go right for the Prepware CD and bypass the book altogether. Others use the book exclusively and pass with flying colors. The choice is yours and this should provide you with the best information to make the best choice for you.

FAA Weight-Shift Control Aircraft Flying Handbook

FAA Weight-Shift Control Aircraft Flying Handbook now available at Adventure Productions trikepilotstore.com.

The FAA Weight-Shift Control (WSC) Aircraft Flying Handbook introduces the basic pilot knowledge and skills that are essential for pilot WSC aircraft. It introduces pilots to the broad spectrum of knowledge that is needed as they progress in their pilot training. This handbook is for student pilots, as well as those pursuing more advanced sport pilot and private pilot certificates flying weight-shift control light-sport aircraft.

Student pilots learning to fly weight-shift control trike light-sport aircraft, certificated pilots preparing for additional WSC ratings or who desire to improve their flying proficiency and aeronautical knowledge, and commercial WSC pilots teaching WSC students how to fly will find this handbook helpful. This book introduces the prospective pilot to the realm of WSC flight and provides information and guidance to all weight-shift control trike pilots in the performance of various maneuvers and procedures.

This handbook conforms to pilot training and certification concepts established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). There are different ways of teaching, as well as performing flight procedures and maneuvers, and many variations in the explanations of aerodynamic theories and principles. This handbook adopts a selective method and concept to flying WSC aircraft. The discussions and explanations reflected the most commonly used practices and principles. Occasionally, the work “must” or similar language is used where the desired action is deemed critical. The use of such language is not intended to add to, interpret, or relieve a duty imposed by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR).

Lets first look at using it for self directed study before you go for your flight lessons. This is for a person who wants to learn as much knowledge as possible on their own before the flight lessons. All students should accomplish this for sure if you must travel to a location and fly day after day in an accelerated course. Overall, a complete self study is the best approach because you will progress much quicker during your flight lessons which will save you time and money. You can easily progress through the course and pass your FAA knowledge test.

Now for your flight lessons, you can focus on the flying with no hurdles. Your ground study will be reviewed with your flight lessons, with the additional practical knowledge filled in with your instructor during your flight lessons.  It is best for you not to use the cockpit as a classroom, it is to expensive.

Let’s look at the other situation where you start using the student kit while you are flight training. This would be where you could take a flight lesson than have a day to work on the ground lesson before you take the next flight lesson. This is good if you can get 2 or 3 flights per week at a nearby school. Here you follow through each flight/ground and training module with the ground school integrated with the flight lessons.

No matter which technique you choose, your efforts studying the material specified in the training syllabus will safe you money on the instructor teaching you things you can learn your self. Do not worry, the instructor must make sure you have the basic knowledge and flight skills for the checkride. It is up to you how you get it. 

Call me if you have any questions.