Ground School vs self taught

[CheeziePuffs]

I'm a VERY new student pilot and in need of some advise from any veteran pilots that may have experience with the initial training phases of obtaining a PPL.

I'm currently enrolled with a PART 61 school here in Columbus, Ohio and because there isn't a ground school requirement for such a training facility and because I lack some of the discipline to study regularly in order for one to absorb the mountains of information necessary for the upcoming FAA exams and knowledge tests. I'm feeling a bit uneasy about the pace at which I'm retaining all the needed information and was wondering if it would be to my advantage to seek out a ground school to augment my training.

Have any of you experienced this and what did you do to help yourself to learn the material?

Is anyone familiar with any GS in the Columbus area?

Thanks for reading my mind.

Dave

 

[tarp]

When it comes to knowledge, there are 4 types of people(in no particular order):

1.) Reader's
2.) Listener's
3.) Viewer's
4.) Participator's

Reader's take book knowledge and interpret for themselves. The written word is their favorite format.

Listener's need either audio tapes or classroom environment.

Viewer's need Video (Film, CD/ROM, DVD, tapes) or again classroom.

Participator's absolutely have to have classroom or one-on-one tutoring to get the feedback they need.

So which one are you??

If you are in the last category, I just did a web search and the Ohio State University has an aviation program including a $225 ground school open to the public. Often times community colleges and even some county high schools offer Private Pilot ground schools. In big cities, there are these "open" universities and often they have a ground school.

Your other choices are Videos/DVD's like Sporty's (Sportsman's Market is in Batavia, OH) and I think it's www.sportys.com. There are also the King School Videos (John and Martha King) and Jeppesen a Division of Boeing also creates Videos that go with their textbooks.

Talk to your flight instructor about the problem, he's your best source of information.

 

[bobbysamd]

Self-taught

I like Tarp's description of the four different type of learners.

I studied at home for my Private, Commercial, CFI-A and FOI writtens. I attended weekend ground schools for my Instrument, CFI-I, ATP and FEX writtens. I've seen it both ways, and I do not recommend the home study route.

I studied at home by reading books, going through the ASA books, seeing what questions I could answer, reading some more, and trying the ASA writtens again. By the time I was ready I did well on my exams because I had them virtually memorized. The problem was that I really did not learn much. I realized that far later during my aviation experience.

On the other hand, I learned a lot when I went to class, even if my classes were weekend schools. You learn far more through the interaction between you and the instructor, by listening his/her lectures, speaking, asking questions, and taking notes. You learn far more and better if you employ all of your senses. I enjoyed every minute of class.

Studying at home was drudgery after a while, primarily because I had to impose on myself the required discipline. Having to prepare for class and go imposed a very beneficial discipline. I found that especially to be true after I left aviation to go to paralegal school. The structure of school was beneficial to my learning experience.

My home and work situation was such that I could not go to formal ground schools. I really should have found a way to attend classes for all of my ground school because I would have learned more and not had as many gaps in my knowledge, which I had to plug later.

Class is better. That was my experience. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[VNugget]

In this case, I think that it all depends on the type of person you are, and the method best suited for you; I don't think most of us are qualified to make absolute statements, since we're (for the most part ) pilots, not psychologists who specialize in learning.

I, unlike many others (especially Bobbysamd), find that learning by myself is very effective, which fits in with my overall introverted personality. But one prerequisite is that you're intersted in the material, otherwise it won't work. For example, I can't get enough about aerodynamics. Currently I'm fighting through Aerodyamics for Naval Aviators, and even though some of the material makes my eyes roll around in circles and my ears hear the sound of banjos, I still understand it after a whlie because I'm interested in it, and go over it again and again, look for more detailed explanations on the internet and other books, try to draw up my own explanations on paper, etc.

On the other hand, there are topics like the different meteorological report types. Not exactly the most enthralling topic in the world for me, to say the least. That makes it a bit more difficutl, and I may in fact find myself wanting a little classroom time on it.

 

[stillaboo]

Why don't you study at home some, and every 4 weeks spend 2 hours with your instructor on the topics you were studying that week. Your instructor is supposed to be knowledgable enough to be able to easily answer anything a PPL candidate would want to know, and had to demonstrate this ability for the FAA to get the CFI liscense.

Your CFI is your most valuable resource. They can do more than just fly planes, ya' know.

-Boo!

 

[tarp]

Dave (Cheeziepuffs) -

Just noticed that you have 7.4 hours. The other comment is to not be so hard on yourself - you just started!

Did your instructor give you any kind of syllabus about your flight lessons? This is a good framework for the study you need to do to keep pace. At 7.4 hours, X-Country planning, weather (other than the most basic ability to tell that its not a good day for flying), navigation radios, etc. etc. are just dream material right now.

Systems, aerodynamics and some basic regulations and communication radio procedures are your best friends right now.

If you look at FAR 61.87(b), you will see that you are required to take a pre-solo written. The FAA lays out what you need to know:

Funny, like my sentence before it states:

1. Regs from part 61 and 91 (and not all of them - just student pilot and VFR right of way and general rules)

2. Airspace rules and procedures for the airport where solo flight will be performed.

3. Flight characteristics of the make and model plane to be flown. (i.e. systems and aerodynamics)

If you notice 61.87 (d) then has a laundry list of maneuvers that you need to be taught and understood before you solo.

Next comes, 61.93 (e) which will be your X-country requirements.

Finally comes, 61.105 and 61.107 which covers what you will need to know by the time you are ready to take your checkride.

Again, I would talk to your instructor about ideas - he should have most of the answers you are looking for. But if he's not big on structure, well then you'll have to create stucture for yourself.

One other Columbus idea - there's a flying club called Phoenix Flyers or Phoenix Aviation. Supposedly one of their members is a CFI that runs ground schools, too.

 

[CheeziePuffs]

First, I have to say that it is very refreshing to see the replies posted about this subject. I want each and every one of you to know that I truly appreciate it. I can tell that you have a genuine passion for this profession.

The CFI that is training me is very thorough and well read. I'm confident in his ability to provide me with all that I will need to obtain my PPL. My whining is probably just that.... whining....

I find all the aspects of flying very enlightening and very exciting. I might be panicking for no reason.

I like what all of you had to say and will revisit your advice and apply what I can.

Thanks again,

Dave

 

[great cornholio]

Like most are saying here it depends on how you learn best. I was an instructor for over 2 years and saw that every student learns in different ways. Some students can read the chapter once and understand the material. Others need to be talked to about the subject. Then some had to either do it or have it drawn out for them. So try to figure out how you learn best and do it that way. One of the best things is one on one with your CFI this way he can taylor each lesson just around you and not around the whole class. However classmates can be good because sometimes they will bring up questions that you would have never thought of. One word of advice to you is try to remember how you use to study for school the same method should work with your knowledge portion of flight training.

 

[Flyingtoohigh]

Get the best of both worlds!

DVD and video sets from Cessna, Sporty's, King are (fairly) inexpensive. In addition several companies such as Jeppesen publish college-style textbooks for each license.

Subjects such as aircraft systems and FARs are easy to grasp with at-home teaching aids. Study up before you ground-school class or your one-on-one session with your CFI. By going over the material prior to your lesson you can spend the time with you CFI clearing up ideas and concentrating on weak areas -- and saving your self some bucks in the process.

Passing your written test can be done by home study, formal ground school, or CFI one-on-one alone. Understanding the ground-school topics enough to apply what you've learned is another matter. If you mix up home-study with CFI-directed schooling you'll get more out of your time with your instructor and more out of your training dollar.

CheeziePuffs, feel free to ask away about anything here! There are a wealth of CFIs here to help you toward your private ticket!

 

[weekendwarrior]

I like the idea of home studying with a quality course (I used King for my writtens) and then supplementing the instruction with your CFI. This way you don't spend alot on ground school, and you get the valuable input from your CFI. Also, your CFI can see what you learned and didn't learn, and fill in the gaps.

As far as cost is concerned, I sold my IFR and COMM courses for 2/3 of what I paid for them on Ebay, so I don't think cost is much of an issue.