Whether in person or online, ground school provides the essential theoretical knowledge required to pass the FAA written test, which is necessary for obtaining a private pilot certificate, an airline transport pilot certificate, and every certificate and rating in between.
The knowledge exam is a prerequisite for your practical test (i.e., check ride) and covers topics across the aeronautical knowledge areas needed for the certificate or rating you are pursuing.
For many, online ground schools are just as effective as in-person classes because they offer flexibility, self-paced learning, and often a more affordable way to obtain knowledge. Modern online courses are highly interactive and comprehensive, frequently exceeding the quality of in-person options.
FLYING has focused on the leading private pilot online ground schools available in the aviation education market.
Quick Look: 9 Best Private Pilot Online Ground Schools
- Best pass guarantee online ground school: Pilot Institute Private Pilot Made Easy
- Best immersive online ground school: Angle of Attack Private Pilot Online Ground School
- Best reliable online ground school: Gold Seal Private Pilot Ground School
- Best comprehensive online ground school: Rod Machado’s 40-Hour Private Pilot eLearning Ground School
- Best cutting-edge online ground school: AviatorPro Private Pilot
- Best affordable online ground school: Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA) Private Pilot Online Ground School
- Best all-in-one online ground school: Sporty’s Learn To Fly Course-Private Pilot Ground School
- Best traditional online ground school: King Schools Private Pilot Online Ground School & Test Prep
- Best modern online ground school: The Finer Points Private Pilot Course
- Best personalized-support online ground school: Part Time Pilot Private Pilot Online Ground School
9 Best Private Pilot Online Ground Schools
Pilot Institute Private Pilot Made Easy
Best for: Pass guarantee online ground school
The Pilot Institute Private Pilot Made Easy is an online ground school offering 35 hours of private pilot video instruction, complete with animations and graphics to make complex topics easier to understand.
The course features over 540 short lessons, averaging just three minutes each to improve retention. It also offers more than 800 practice questions, over 220 FAA-style flash cards, and scenario-based training to help students apply their knowledge in real-world situations.
The Pilot Institute has a 99.8 percent pass rate on its private pilot course, and if you do not pass the FAA written test on your first attempt, it will refund your course fee and give you $175 cash.
FAA endorsement: Yes
Course length: 35 hours; learn at your own pace
Subscription access: Lifetime
Cost: $279
Other available courses: Instrument Rating Made Easy ($279), Commercial Pilot Made Easy ($279), Radio Communication Made Easy ($149), Airplane Maneuvers Mastery ($149), Multiengine Rating Mastery ($99), Garmin G1000 Made Easy ($149), Checkride Made Easy ($99), and free courses like E6B Deep Dive
Angle of Attack Private Pilot Online Ground School
Best for: Immersive online ground school
The Angle of Attack Private Pilot Online Ground School is a visually rich and immersive course created and taught by founder Chris Palmer, a flight instructor and aviation educator based in Homer, Alaska.
The course includes over 196 lessons that cover a wide range of topics, from aerodynamics to flight planning. These lessons include scenario-based training with real cockpit footage and animations for a truly engaging experience.
Angle of Attack guarantees its product. If you do not pass the written test, it will offer you a refund and cover the exam cost.
FAA endorsement: Yes
Course length: 25 hours, 50 minutes; learn at your own pace
Subscription access: Lifetime
Cost: $279
Other available courses: Instrument Rating Online Ground School ($279), Private Pilot Checkride Prep ($99), Instrument Checkride Prep ($99), and Commercial Checkride Prep ($99)
Gold Seal Private Pilot Ground School
Best for: Reliable online ground school
The Gold Seal Private Pilot Ground School is a highly effective and engaging program, establishing itself as a reliable online ground school in the aviation education market.
With Gold Seal, lessons include interaction, spaced repetition, and strategic summaries to help you learn more efficiently and quickly. Additionally, your flight instructor has free access to monitor your online progress, ensuring seamless integration of your flight training with your ground school.
Finally, while Gold Seal works perfectly for any Part 61 training, it is also approved for Part 141 flight schools.
FAA endorsement: Yes
Course length: 18-25 hours; learn at your own pace
Subscription access: One year and lifetime options available
Cost: 1 year access for $229 with a $60 annual renewal fee or lifetime access for $299
Other available courses: Instrument Pilot Ground School ($229/$299), Commercial Pilot Ground School ($229/$299), Rusty Pilot Ground School ($89/$129), and Remote Pilot Ground School ($199)
Rod Machado’s 40-Hour Private Pilot eLearning Ground School
Best for: Comprehensive online ground school
Rod Machado’s 40-Hour Private Pilot eLearning Ground School provides one of the most comprehensive courses, featuring 26 modules that total over 40 hours of instruction.
The course is designed and regularly updated by Rod Machado, an experienced flight instructor with over 50 years in the field. The training modules can be downloaded to your tablet or phone and accessed on the go, enabling you to study anywhere.
At the end of the course students gain access to a database of more than 1,200 FAA study questions to help prepare for the written exam.
FAA endorsement: Yes
Course length: 40 hours; learn at your own pace
Subscription access: Lifetime
Cost: $279
Other available courses: Rod Machado’s Instrument Pilot eGround School ($279) and other training courses like Secrets of Instrument Approaches and Departures ($79), The Art of Takeoffs and Landings eCourse ($79), Understanding Weather-Interactive eLearning Course ($79); handbooks like Rod Machado’s Instrument Pilot’s Handbook ($49.95) also available
AviatorPro Private Pilot
Best for: Cutting-edge online ground school
The AviatorPro Private Pilot online ground school is a cutting-edge course featuring over 250 high-tech, scenario-driven video lessons, each averaging four minutes in length.
AviatorPro prioritizes quality over quantity, providing precise, high-impact content designed to help you succeed on the FAA written test on your first attempt. The course is designed for self-paced study, allowing you to progress at your own pace to master the material quickly.
FAA endorsement: Yes
Course length: 25 hours; learn at your own pace
Subscription access: Lifetime
Cost: $499
Other available courses: Instrument Rating ($499) and Commercial Pilot ($499), with Multi-Engine and Flight Instructor courses coming in 2025
Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA) Private Pilot Online Ground School
Best for: Affordable online ground school
The Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA) Private Pilot Online Ground School is one of the most affordable options available in the online ground school market.
The course is an on-demand program that offers 11 hours of video content. It also allows students to take practice FAA exams and features a fully searchable FAR/AIM. However, unlike other courses with lifetime access to the materials, this one only provides 24 months.
FAA endorsement: Yes
Course length: 11 hours; learn at your own pace
Subscription access: 24 months
Cost: $179.95
Other available courses: Instrument Pilot Online Ground School ($199.95), Remote Pilot Online Ground School ($149.95), Private Pilot Virtual Test Prep ($149.95), Instrument Pilot Virtual Test Prep ($199.95); ASA also offers robust pilot and FAA libraries
Sporty’s Learn To Fly Course-Private Pilot Ground School
Best for: All-in-one online ground school
Sporty’s Learn To Fly Course-Private Pilot Ground School has everything you need to prepare for your written test, including online ground school, FAA test prep, and real-world training all in one easy-to-use package.
The course features over 15 hours of 4K video and animations, providing a comprehensive explanation of everything you need to know to become a safe and confident pilot. Additionally, Sporty’s database of over 1,000 FAA test questions and powerful test prep tools make studying quick and easy.
With the 2025 edition now available, it includes new training tools (e.g., ChatDPE, ChatFAR, Infinite Flight scenarios, and Spanish subtitles) and updated content (e.g., revised video segments, new interactive scenarios, improved test prep tools, and interactive Airman Certification Standards).
FAA endorsement: Yes
Course length: 15 hours; learn at your own pace
Subscription access: Lifetime
Cost: $299
Other available courses: Instrument Rating Course-Online Ground School ($299), Commercial Pilot Training Course ($299), Flight Instructor Checkride and Test Prep Course ($199.99), ATP Knowledge Test and Checkride Prep Course ($199.99), and other training courses like Flying with ForeFlight ($39.99)
King Schools Private Pilot Online Ground School & Test Prep
Best for: Traditional online ground school
King Schools, founded in 1974 by John and Martha King, is a tradition in the aviation education market like no other.
The King Schools Private Pilot Online Ground School & Test Prep is ideal if you’re looking for a well-established, straightforward, and enjoyable program. The course offers a self-paced exploration of aviation topics, including aerodynamics, airspace, FAA regulations, and more.
Sample videos are available on the King Schools website, showing how easy and fun ground school can be.
FAA endorsement: Yes
Course length: 15 hours; learn at your own pace
Subscription access: Lifetime
Cost: $299
The Finer Points Private Pilot Course
Best for: Modern online ground school
The Finer Points is a flight training brand founded by Jason Miller, a highly respected flight instructor with over 20 years of experience and nearly 10,000 hours of dual instruction given.
Miller is also known for his engaging The Finer Points-Aviation Podcast and The Finer Points-YouTube Channel, which bring a modern flair to his training materials, including The Finer Points Private Pilot Course. This private pilot online ground school features 186 interactive lessons, practice written tests, practice oral exams, and source books, allowing you to learn at your own pace.
FAA endorsement: Yes
Course length: 25-30 hours; learn at your own pace
Subscription access: Monthly, three-month, and annual plans available
Cost: $49.99/month, $149.99/three months, and $299/year
Other available courses: Instrument Pilot Course, Mastering Landings, and Standard Operating Procedures are all included with the subscription; Core Skills and Mastering Communications courses coming soon.
Part Time Pilot – Private Pilot Online Ground School
Best for: Personalized support & multi-format learning
Part Time Pilot offers a self-paced online ground school designed to help students fully understand core concepts and prepare for the FAA written exam. The course combines written lessons, visual aids, video instruction, audio lessons, quizzes, and practice tests. Students also complete a custom test-prep process that generates individualized reports highlighting weak areas, followed by additional study recommendations. Once students demonstrate readiness, they receive their exam endorsement. The company reports a 99.9 percent success rate among its members, supported by seven-day-a-week instructor access and integrated AI tools.
FAA endorsement: Yes
Course length: Self-paced; full curriculum typically 25–35 hours depending on certificate level
Subscription access: Lifetime
Cost: $249.99
Other available courses: IFR Online Ground School ($249.99) and Sport Pilot Online Ground School ($249.99)
Things to Consider When Choosing a Private Pilot Online Ground School
FAA Compliance
When evaluating any online ground school provider, verify that it complies with the FAA’s Part 141 or Part 61 requirements, as applicable.
Although not all online ground schools are FAA-approved under Part 141, the course material must meet the agency’s knowledge standards for the certificate or rating you are pursuing. Most reputable online ground schools clearly state how they meet these FAA requirements and will provide the necessary endorsement.
Additionally, ensure the content is up to date and regularly maintained to reflect any changes in regulations.
Instructor Expertise
Most reputable online ground schools, as mentioned, are developed and maintained by flight instructors and aviation educators with decades of experience. Therefore, review each ground school provider’s “About” section on its website to learn more about the creators of these courses before investing your time and money.
Also, ensure that your flight instructor is involved in your ground school process, even if you choose to complete it online. This way, you can use your instructor as a resource while studying.
Additionally, the knowledge you gain in ground school directly applies to your flight lessons. Therefore, acquiring the necessary knowledge before getting into the cockpit will make your flight training more efficient and effective.
Easy Course Access
Easy access to course materials is essential when choosing an online ground school. Since time is critical nowadays, it is helpful to study at your own pace and on any device of your choice.
When evaluating potential online ground school providers, check how you can access their course information, such as through their website or mobile app. Also, find out if the content can be downloaded and used offline.
Course Reviews
The aviation community is small, so each course review is essential. Take the time to read feedback from past customers to gauge their satisfaction with the course you are considering.
Check out each ground school provider’s “Reviews” section on its website to learn more about its reputation before investing your time and money.
Course Pricing
The average cost of an online ground school is $300. Prices can vary depending on the amount of content offered, level of access desired, and other factors.
Pro tip: When choosing an online ground school, paying a little more for lifelong access to content is ideal, as learning never stops in this field.
Learning Format and Resources
When choosing an online ground school, select one that aligns with your learning style.
Different schools employ various teaching methods, including video lectures, interactive quizzes, and text-based reading. Think about which format works best for you before investing your time and money.
Pass Rates and Guarantees
Evaluate the pass rates of each online ground school for the FAA written exam. Most schools claim to offer pass guarantees or refund the course fee, as well as your exam fee.
Let’s Get You Ready for Online Ground School
Online ground schools offer several advantages, including flexibility, affordability, accessibility, self-paced learning, and consistency.
As a result, there are many reputable online ground school providers ready to prepare you for the FAA written test and help you obtain your private pilot certificate, also known as a PPL. It’s time to pick one of these great private pilot online ground schools now and start studying.
Additionally, if you’re still searching for a reputable flight school for your aviation journey, check out FLYING’s Flight School and Aviation Training Guide.
FAQ
What topics are covered in a private pilot online ground school?
All private pilot online ground schools cover all the subjects required by the FAA, including, but not limited to:
- Aerodynamics
- Aircraft systems
- Flight instruments
- Regulations (FARs)
- Airport operations
- Weather theory and services
- Performance and limitations
- Navigation
- Weight and balance
- Aeronautical decision making (ADM)
- Emergency procedures
How do I get the FAA endorsement to take the written exam after completing online ground school?
Most FAA-approved online ground schools will provide you with an endorsement once you have completed their course and passed the final stage tests. This endorsement is required to sit for the FAA knowledge exam.
What’s the difference between a ground school and a test prep course?
A ground school provides comprehensive instruction on all the required knowledge areas. A test prep course focuses specifically on preparing you for the written exam by drilling questions and explanations, assuming you already have a foundational understanding from the ground school.
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