I am a late starter on my flight training. I have always wanted to be a pilot and now that my kids have grown I won't feel so guilty about putting the money towards it. I am just wondering if the computer/dvd test prep courses are worth the effort or would a traditional ground school be the better course. I have years of accumulated aviation knowledge from reading, but I have never come across anything that rates or compares the two methods. Any help on where to look or personal experiences would be appreciated. Old Man just starting!
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My personal preference is to use a real classroom ground school and use the computer based training only as an adjunct to it to reinforce knowledge, or help practice for the test.
The one thing computer programs or television DVD programs can't substitute for is the full interaction between student and teacher. Yes, you can probably learn enough from a good quality DVD or computer program to pass the test, but the goal should be not just to pass the test, rather it should be to gain the knowledge to make you a safe, and knowledgeable pilot. I'm all for the extra visual aids and explanations that can be provided by electronic means, so don't get me wrong there. I just think that there is no substitute for handling questions, or gaining insights from experienced people, especially in primary training when bad habits are easily developed, and will haunt you if you keep them throughout your aviation activities.
I'm not a CFI, but I am working on my Instrument Rating now... and I have DVD courses and books for the written prep.... but I also went through an actual ground school... and I had questions arise in there with other students, and from myself, that I never would have thought of or had knowledgeably answered were I working just off of electronic media.
Hope this helps.... and welcome to Aviation! :)
I am currently viewing Sporty's What You Should Know series for the private pilot. I am very impressed with the quality and thoroughness of the program.I am a teenager and have been obsessed with aviation since I was about ten. Sporty's has really filled in the gaps of my "book learning," and at the tender age of fifteen I feel confident that I could pass the Written exam for the Private Pilot. I prefer the DVD course to a traditional ground school because it gives me the ability to go back and reveiw things as well as study at my own pace. The only downside is the fact that you cannot ask questions. But during your actual flight training you have the ability to ask many questions of your CFI and should do so.
Hello: I have always told my student to do what is best for them. Some people don't like to sit thru a groundschool class and some do. Almost all of my students do the studying at home on their own either with a DVD Course like king or sporties. Some of them will just use an ASA Written test prep. First I would think about how fast you want to go thru your flight training. My recommendation is the faster the better. Get it done and don't let anything get in the way. Just remember if you are in a 12 week groundschool and you start accelerated training at the same time you are going to be done with your flying months before you are done with the groundschool. So if you are looking at a groundschool I would plan your flying schedule around that. I have found over the years that the student who are seriouse about flying will study hard at home. Almost all the dvd courses out there now are great. Let me know if you have any other questions Airfreddy
Hi I'm a Private Pilot, Instrument Rated and currently wrapping up my Commercial SEL and MEL ratings... I'm not a CFI, but through 2 written exams and ground schools, and studying for the Commercial, I would agree that you can't beat one on one instruction...It allows you to ask questions that otherwise you would have to research and look up, that said however, I am huge fan of the Gliem Test Preps..I use those for every course..I know your not just looking to pass an exam and are talking the entire ground school, so my advice would be to take the traditional ground school, but backing yourself up with the DVD courses would be a great way to supplement your training. I'd try both methods and see which ones work for you. I have heard excellent things about the King Schools series and of course Sporty's (R. Collins is in it!)You could probably order one tape or something from which ever DVD course you like and see if you learn anything out of it, call me old fashion, I lean to the traditional ground school. Best of luck and happy flying.
Marktrox - You are not alone about late age come in for take flight lesson. I see some of oldest age people, like 50's at the flight school. There are nothing wrong for late ages come in and take the flight lesson. Same thing to me, I should take the flight lesson last twenty years ago, but I can't. Because, I raised my kids, finish their high school, keep working, keep pay the bills, no time to learn the flying school since I was in the high school - I was thinking about taking the flight lesson, but I stuck and had to married! So, I am going to take the flight lesson this time and ready to fly soon. Richard
Most of my students now are my age ( 42) or older. They all do their homework and are very safety oriented. Of the last 10 students or so only one (is) a youngster (19) everyone else is my age. Most of them use the materials in my book. The FAA publications but some of them will trade DVD courses. Some of them like them some of them don't. All the courses out there have the same material. It is just presented in different ways. I am finding that most of the older students ( 40 and above) like to do it the old school way and read the FAA publications. airfreddy
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