Flight Training - May 2023 - 40

ROD MACHADO'S PRIVATE PILOT
EGROUND SCHOOL
Experienced instructor Rod Machado is
the most serious funny guy in aviation. He
uses humor and wit to describe complex
topics, which moves this 40-hour course
along faster than you would expect. Much
more than a knowledge test cram course,
Machado's ground school is a comprehensive
knowledge base for prospective
private pilots. It includes digital copies of
his private pilot handbook, workbook, and
other great resources. With lifetime access,
these perks make the course a great value.
PRICE: $279
FIND IT: rodmachado.com
GLEIM AVIATION ONLINE GROUND SCHOOL
If you're looking for stripped-down,
efficient, knowledge-test-specific
information, Gleim is hard to beat. The
company's online ground school is essentially
a digital version of its books, with
interactive test questions thrown in at
the end of each sub-unit and chapter. Do
well and you'll get an endorsement for the
knowledge test. The price point is reasonable
when compared to other ground
schools, but pricey when you consider it
doesn't offer much beyond the books.
PRICE: $124.95
FIND IT: gleimaviation.com
GOLD SEAL ONLINE GROUND SCHOOL
Using a series of videos, illustrations, and
still images, Gold Seal's ground school
covers everything you need to know to
pass the knowledge test, plus a lot more.
Take the full course and the quizzes prior
to starting training and you'll show up to
your lessons prepared and ready to fly.
The company also offers a knowledge test
guarantee. If you don't pass, they'll reimburse
you for the cost of the exam.
PRICE: $229 for a year or $299 for
lifetime access
FIND IT: groundschool.com
SPORTY'S LEARN TO FLY COURSE
Extensive in-flight video, professional
production and narration, support across
all platforms, and the collective experience
of a top-notch training organization
make the Sporty's Learn to Fly Course an
obvious standout. The course is about as
complete as you can find, with detailed
learning modules leading to practice test
questions, animated maneuvers guides, a
syllabus, study resources, and more.
PRICE: $279 for lifetime access
FIND IT: sportys.com
40 FLIGHT TRAINING MAY 2023
FLY8MA
If you like Jon Kotwicki's-aka Fly8MA-
YouTube videos, then you'll love his
various courses. The private pilot course
is a series of YouTube videos and animations
integrated into basic outlines to get
you quickly and efficiently to the knowledge
test. The company offers a wide
array of courses, including everything
from Alaska flying to spin training.
PRICE: Between $79 and $127 a month
for access. Courses also offered for a
one-time fee.
FIND IT: fly8ma.com
SLING PILOT ACADEMY
The Sling Pilot Academy in Southern
California is a flight school that primarily
uses Sling NGTs to take students from
zero flight time through CFI and on their
way to a flying career. As a way to give
back to the community, the company is
taking a different approach to an online
ground school and is giving its course
away for free. Unlike a traditional digital
ground school, however, this one is live.
Remote students use Zoom to attend
the live sessions with the local students.
Don't worry if you miss a session, however,
because they are all available for free
online. Think of it as a local flight school's
ground school, but for free and at home
in your jammies.
PRICE: Free
FIND IT: slingpilotacademy.com
KING SCHOOLS PRIVATE PILOT ONLINE
GROUND SCHOOL AND TEST PREP
The reason King Schools has lasted for
so long, and the company has been so
successful, is that John and Martha King
are natural educators, and learning from
them is fun and engaging. The pair have
trained more pilots than probably anyone
else in history, and while they're not as
directly involved in the business these
days, their legacy lives on in the training
program. The course includes around 15
hours of video, flashcards, test prep questions,
and a companion iOS application.
PRICE: $279 for lifetime access
FIND IT: kingschools.com
ANGLE OF ATTACK PRIVATE PILOT ONLINE
GROUND SCHOOL
Imagine recording all your preflight
briefings with your instructor and you
have a sense for Chris Palmer's Angle
of Attack Private Pilot Online Ground
School. Palmer narrates through complex
subjects with illustrations or videos,
seemingly largely without a script or
tight editing. It's a disarming style that's
unusual among online ground schools.
The course includes a companion iOS app
and FAA test questions to get you ready
for the knowledge test.
PRICE: $279 for lifetime access
FIND IT: angleofattack.com
THE FINER POINTS GROUND SCHOOL
Jason Miller is a highly accomplished
instructor who has hosted a popular
podcast, given seminars for the AOPA Air
Safety Institute, and guided educational
mountain flying trips throughout the
western United States. The Finer Points
ground school combines all that experience
and knowledge into a creative and
effective course. Available exclusively as
an Apple iPad app, the ground school is a
WHICH ONE IS BEST?
You'll have to do
some homework
You've likely heard many
times that a good studentinstructor
relationship is key
to becoming a successful and
safe pilot. That's why you
won't find a clear recommendation
in this long list of
ground schools. The courses
offered are largely similar in
their distribution method,
range of topics, adequacy for
preparing students for the
knowledge test, and in many
cases, price. So, what's the
difference between them?
The instructors. Each course
includes instructors with
different teaching styles and
experiences. We recommend
you sample a few, as most
have some sort of free trial,
or at least a short video that
gives an idea of the look and
feel. Then choose the one
that you think would be the
best fit. -IJT
CHRIS ROSE
http://www.angleofattack.com http://www.fly8ma.com http://www.rodmachado.com http://www.gleimaviation.com http://www.slingpilotacademy.com http://www.groundschool.com http://www.kingschools.com http://www.sportys.com
Flight Training - May 2023

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