Online Ground School. Have you used one?

[mechanic]

I have been researching online ground schools. I have ran across Aviationwise.org. This seems to be a good deal at $249.99? It includes 32 online reference books all you need is an E6B. I live 2 hrs drive from my flight school and it is very hard getting the extra time to do both ground and flight, much less drive that far for a ground lesson.

 

I am curious if anyone used this type of ground school and how they liked it?

 

Thanks

 

 

Link

 

aviationwise.org

[joker]

Mechanic,

 

In mixed opinion about this. The website says, "Aviationwise courses are designed to teach you everything you need to know to pass the FAA written test. Additionally, the courses are also designed to give you the basic knowledge necessary to operate an aircraft competently and safely."

 

Personally I think there are much cheeper aids that will help you pass the FAA written test. As to the second claim about 'operating an aircraft competently', I wonder if it will give you more than what you are getting during your flight instruction already.

 

I am not 100% sure this course would be of any great benefit. However, I may be completely wrong on this. It would help if Aviationwise could give some sort of trial-look at the course structure and content. Its a lot of money to part with without knowing what you're getting.

 

I live 2 hrs drive from my flight school and it is very hard getting the extra time to do both ground and flight, much less drive that far for a ground lesson.

 

I know what you mean. On the other hand though, it could be argued that the a ground lesson carries as much importance as the flight lessons and deserve the same commitment!

 

Why not schedule 2 ground lessons on the same day with an hour's break in between. Or schedule ground lessons at the same time as flight lessons. Watch that the instructor has a precise plan for what he will teach each lesson, and make sure he sticks to it.

 

Or find a local airfield close to you, do your fixed wing licence first, then rent a cessna to fly that 2 hrs for your helo lessons!

 

Joker

[Witch]

I'd be very careful about those courses. If you read the books and follow the syllabus your school gave you, you should do fine.

 

I got one of those test prep books (overstock.com) by ASA and it's rather helpful. It showed me how much I forgot in 20 years-especially when they introduced airspace classes. One of those books would probably be more valuable.

 

Also, I haven't done this yet, but I understand that there are several websites that offer free testing. I think it goes something like they have a test page, you take the test, and the results are shown at the end. My IP told me about it, but I haven't gotten around to doing it yet. If I remember, I think I got in the high 80's when I took the written 20 years go. I like to be average.

 

But most of all, don't sweat the test. Don't worry about getting a 100. Just do your best and you'll do fine. That goes for the rest of you too.

 

Later.

[HH60Pilot]

You may want to look at the courses put out by John and Martha King. They have some of the best training aids on the market, just make sure that you get the helicopter supplement to go with the course.

 

You can find them online at www.kingschools.com.

 

Doug

[Goldy]

I'd be very careful about those courses. If you read the books and follow the syllabus your school gave you, you should do fine.

 

I got one of those test prep books (overstock.com) by ASA and it's rather helpful. It showed me how much I forgot in 20 years-especially when they introduced airspace classes. One of those books would probably be more valuable.

 

Also, I haven't done this yet, but I understand that there are several websites that offer free testing. I think it goes something like they have a test page, you take the test, and the results are shown at the end. My IP told me about it, but I haven't gotten around to doing it yet. If I remember, I think I got in the high 80's when I took the written 20 years go. I like to be average.

 

But most of all, don't sweat the test. Don't worry about getting a 100. Just do your best and you'll do fine. That goes for the rest of you too.

 

Later.

 

Witch, the free site I like to prep for the written is www.mywrittenexam.com

 

This is a great site to learn how to "pass" your written. While it does impart some knowledge at the same time, its not a replacement for ground school. IF you want to save some money, I would take ground school at a local JR College..I am studying for my commercial and taking classes at the local college. Its about $200 bucks for a semester of aviation classes.....about 70 hours worth..you can't beat that price !

 

Goldy

[Witch]

But I work during the day while classes are in session. Bummer they don't have night classes at LCC in the aviation dept. THey do have pilot classes, but not at night. Can't afford going during the day.

 

 

 

 

 

Later

[svtcobra66]

I used Rideready for my commercial prep and was happy with it, you can find their various training software here and it is a lot cheaper than most of the competition.

[mechanic]

Thanks for all the replies. I had a Cessna/King Take Off CD training set, but let a friend have that. I have an FAA Rotorcraft book, Wagendonk book, R22 pilots guide, R22 POH, Jepp Heli add on Video/workbook, ASA Test Prep, Jepp Guided Flight PPL book, an older Sporty's Heli Video, and the new Auto' in the R22 video.

 

I kinda hate to admit this, but when I find a quite place to read my books I tend to fall asleep within 15-30 mins of reading. I guess because I work 44 hrs a week and only have time to read at night after family goes to bed. I found a fixed wing school offering a Part 61 ground school 2 nights a week for $149.00 about an hrs drive from me today. I am going to try and make this course. Class is evenings 6-8 pm and starts next week.

 

 

 

Thanks again

 

 

P.S. I also had downloaded a demo Gleim OGS. I didn't like it. It was like a ASA Test Prep to me. All the demo did was ask me questions, you could not access the library in trial mode.

[Brianmech72]

Witch, the free site I like to prep for the written is www.mywrittenexam.com

 

This is a great site to learn how to "pass" your written. While it does impart some knowledge at the same time, its not a replacement for ground school. IF you want to save some money, I would take ground school at a local JR College..I am studying for my commercial and taking classes at the local college. Its about $200 bucks for a semester of aviation classes.....about 70 hours worth..you can't beat that price !

 

Goldy

 

I'll second the mywrittenexam.com site. I like how it mixes up the questions and allows you to save it and come back. I try to do a couple questions every day and it keeps me sharp on things like the weights and balance calculations that I tend to forget after 2 weeks of other stuff. I did notice on their site somewhere it says "free for now". I assume they mean they will start charging for it in the future.

[mechanic]

Just wanted to say thanks again to all that replied. I found a fixed wing school about an hour away that has a high time MEI teaching the PPL class. Tonight was the second night. He gives real world examples and makes it pretty easy and fun at the same time. Course is 2 hrs per class and 2 nights per week, for the cheap price of $149.00 plus supplies if needed.

 

 

 

Regards

[Rotor212]

Just wanted to say thanks again to all that replied. I found a fixed wing school about an hour away that has a high time MEI teaching the PPL class. Tonight was the second night. He gives real world examples and makes it pretty easy and fun at the same time. Course is 2 hrs per class and 2 nights per week, for the cheap price of $149.00 plus supplies if needed.

 

 

 

Regards

 

Hey Mechanic, how is the training going? Are there any questions I can help you with?

 

Regards,

 

Boomer