Ground School
What is Ground School?
Ground school, or ground instruction, is the more theoretical or academic side of getting your license -- as opposed to flight school, or flight training, which is the practical, hands-on portion. Ground school gives you a solid foundation onto which you can then build your skills and coordination via flight training, and there is no minimum hourly requirement that must be met for any license. Classes cover these primary categories:
Ground school culminates in the FAA Airman Knowledge Test, which requires an endorsement from your ground instructor to take. A passing grade on the Knowledge Test is necessary for check ride eligibility, and is valid for two years. Your Ground Instructor can also assist you with scheduling your test if you would like help navigating the process.
Ground school, or ground instruction, is the more theoretical or academic side of getting your license -- as opposed to flight school, or flight training, which is the practical, hands-on portion. Ground school gives you a solid foundation onto which you can then build your skills and coordination via flight training, and there is no minimum hourly requirement that must be met for any license. Classes cover these primary categories:
- Aeromedical Factors
- Aeronautical Decision Making
- Airplanes, Airplane Performance, and Aerodynamics
- Airplane Instruments, Engines, and Systems
- Airports and Airspaces
- Aviation Weather and Weather Services
- Federal Aviation Regulations
- Navigation and Sectional Charts
- Weight and Balance
Ground school culminates in the FAA Airman Knowledge Test, which requires an endorsement from your ground instructor to take. A passing grade on the Knowledge Test is necessary for check ride eligibility, and is valid for two years. Your Ground Instructor can also assist you with scheduling your test if you would like help navigating the process.
Gleim: Exam Prep and Home Study Program
Gleim started as an accounting test-prep service, but has since developed some great material to help you prep for the Knowledge Test in tandem with your regular ground school lessons. Here are some of them:
Gleim will also bundle everything you need: https://www.gleimaviation.com/shop/spkitcd/. We will pass on our 20% Gleim discount to you if you pay by cash, Zelle, or check; expect a small fee if you pay with a credit card
Gleim started as an accounting test-prep service, but has since developed some great material to help you prep for the Knowledge Test in tandem with your regular ground school lessons. Here are some of them:
- Gleim test prep https://www.gleimaviation.com/shop/faatpsp/
- # THE BEST way to prep for the knowledge test, and renewable for a discount after the 1st year
- # We generally plan an overview lesson per topic and then we turn you loose to study
- Gleim regulations book and information manual https://www.gleimaviation.com/shop/fa/
- # You need a hard copy that you can mark & tab
- Gleim tools
- https://www.gleimaviation.com/shop/computer/ # get this for now and make a final choice later
- https://www.gleimaviation.com/shop/plotter/
- Though not strictly exam prep, we've also come to like this Gleim logbook; YMMV https://www.gleimaviation.com/shop/logbook/
Gleim will also bundle everything you need: https://www.gleimaviation.com/shop/spkitcd/. We will pass on our 20% Gleim discount to you if you pay by cash, Zelle, or check; expect a small fee if you pay with a credit card
Other Good Resources
The FAA has quite a few good handbooks, advisory circulars, and testing references. Have a look at our Google Drive here for some of our favorites. We have also included direct links for free downloads or reading electronically:
Here are a few more good books we recommend. You certainly might find them for less elsewhere, but check them out on Amazon:
The FAA has quite a few good handbooks, advisory circulars, and testing references. Have a look at our Google Drive here for some of our favorites. We have also included direct links for free downloads or reading electronically:
- https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/ # lots of great material
- https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/test_standards/ # more great material
- https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak/
- https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook/
- https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/media/FAA-H-8083-1.pdf # additional but worth it
- http://fsims.faa.gov/wdocs/orders/8900_2.htm ==> Section 6 / #55 # for your check ride
- https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/test_standards/media/faa-s-8081-29.pdf # for your check ride
Here are a few more good books we recommend. You certainly might find them for less elsewhere, but check them out on Amazon:
Who is Get Inspired Ground?
Madison Restrepo is our primary ground school instructor, and operates Get Inspired Ground, LLC. She holds an Advanced Ground Instructor license, meaning she can provide a) ground school for any certificate or rating issued under Part 61, b) ground school for any flight review, and c) endorsements for a student to take his or her FAA Knowledge Exam.
Madison Restrepo is our primary ground school instructor, and operates Get Inspired Ground, LLC. She holds an Advanced Ground Instructor license, meaning she can provide a) ground school for any certificate or rating issued under Part 61, b) ground school for any flight review, and c) endorsements for a student to take his or her FAA Knowledge Exam.
Pricing & Scheduling
Ground school through Get Inspired Ground is $50/hour, billed by the 1/10 hours. Most classes are designed for 2 hour chunks, but can be adjusted longer or shorter based on your needs as a student. Remote classes are facilitated via Google Meet, and in-person classes are primarily held at Pickens County Airport. If you'd like to schedule some time, you can contact her directly through her contact form.
Ground school through Get Inspired Ground is $50/hour, billed by the 1/10 hours. Most classes are designed for 2 hour chunks, but can be adjusted longer or shorter based on your needs as a student. Remote classes are facilitated via Google Meet, and in-person classes are primarily held at Pickens County Airport. If you'd like to schedule some time, you can contact her directly through her contact form.