Not all instrument ground schools are created equal. Some are built for passing the written, others for real IFR proficiency. Below are the best online instrument-rating courses, with quick recommendations based on what each one does best.
Pilot Institute
Best pass guarantee, built for retention with short lessons and heavy test prep
- 420+ short lessons (about three minutes each)
- 800+ practice questions plus FAA-style flashcards
- Refund plus $175 if you don’t pass on the first try
Angle of Attack
Scenario-based IFR training with real cockpit footage and animations
- 160+ lessons covering systems, scans, and approach charts
- Pass guarantee with refund plus exam cost covered
- Self-paced with lifetime access
Gold Seal
Interactive lessons with spaced repetition and instructor progress tracking
- Designed for efficient learning with summaries and review
- Instructor can monitor your progress for tighter training alignment
- One-year or lifetime access options
Quick Look: 9 Best Instrument Rating Online Ground Schools
- Best pass guarantee online ground school: Pilot Institute Instrument Rating Made Easy
- Best immersive online ground school: Angle of Attack Instrument Rating Online Ground School
- Best reliable online ground school: Gold Seal Instrument Pilot Ground School
- Best comprehensive online ground school: Rod Machado’s Instrument Pilot eGround School
- Best cutting-edge online ground school: AviatorPro Instrument Rating
- Best affordable online ground school: Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA) Instrument Pilot Online Ground School
- Best all-in-one online ground school: Sporty’s Instrument Rating Course-Online Ground School
- Best traditional online ground school: King Schools Instrument Rating Ground School & Test Prep
- Best modern online ground school: The Finer Points Instrument Pilot Course
Comparing the Top IFR Ground Schools
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| Ground school | Best for | Price | Access | FAA endorsement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot Institute | Pass guarantee | $279 | Lifetime | Yes | View course |
| Angle of Attack | Immersive learning | $279 | Lifetime | Yes | View course |
| Gold Seal | Reliable training | $229–$299 | 1 year or lifetime | Yes | View course |
| Rod Machado | Comprehensive course | $279 | Lifetime | Yes | View course |
| AviatorPro | Cutting-edge content | $499 | Lifetime | Yes | View course |
| ASA | Affordable option | $199.95 | 24 months | Yes | View course |
| Sporty’s | All-in-one solution | $299 | Lifetime | Yes | View course |
| King Schools | Traditional instruction | $299 | Lifetime | Yes | View course |
| The Finer Points | Modern training style | $49.99/month+ | Subscription | Yes | View course |
9 Best Instrument Rating Online Ground Schools
After earning your private pilot license, the next big step in your flying journey is obtaining an instrument rating. This allows you to fly in low visibility, through clouds, and under IFR.
Completing ground school is a key part of instrument training because the knowledge is specialized and technically challenging. Additionally, it is specifically designed to apply directly to flight lessons. Therefore, acquiring the necessary comprehension before entering the cockpit will make your flight training more efficient and effective.
For many pilots, online ground schools are just as effective as in-person classes because they offer flexibility, affordability, accessibility, self-paced learning, and consistency. Modern online courses are highly interactive and comprehensive, often exceeding the quality of in-person options.
FLYING has focused on the top online ground schools offering instrument rating training in the aviation education market.
Pilot Institute Instrument Rating Made Easy
Best for: Pass guarantee online ground school
The Pilot Institute Instrument Rating Made Easy is an online ground school that offers 20 hours of video instruction for the instrument rating, complete with animations and graphics to make complex topics easier to understand.
The course includes over 420 short lessons, each about three minutes long, to help with retention. It also provides more than 800 practice questions, over 200 FAA-style flashcards, and scenario-based training to help students apply knowledge in real-world situations.
The Pilot Institute offers a guarantee, where if you do not pass the FAA written test on your first try, it will refund your course fee and give you $175 in cash.
FAA endorsement: Yes
Course length: 20 hours; learn at your own pace
Subscription access: Lifetime
Cost: $279
Other available courses: Private Pilot 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 Instrument Rating Online Ground School
Best for: Immersive online ground school
The Angle of Attack Instrument Rating Online Ground School is a visually immersive course created and taught by founder Chris Palmer, a flight instructor and aviation educator based in Homer, Alaska.
The course features over 160 lessons covering topics from IFR systems and scans to approach charts. These lessons include scenario-based training with real cockpit footage and animations for an engaging experience.
Angle of Attack guarantees its product, so if you do not pass the written test, it will provide a refund and cover the exam cost.
FAA endorsement: Yes
Course length: 23 hours, 45 minutes; learn at your own pace
Subscription access: Lifetime
Cost: $279
Other available courses: Private Pilot Online Ground School ($279), Private Pilot Checkride Prep ($99), Instrument Checkride Prep ($99), and Commercial Checkride Prep ($99)
Gold Seal Instrument Pilot Ground School
Best for: Reliable online ground school
The Gold Seal Instrument 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: 30 hours; learn at your own pace
Subscription access: One year and lifetime options available
Cost: One-year access for $229 with $60 annual renewal fee or lifetime access for $299
Other available courses: Private 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 Instrument Pilot eGround School
Best for: Comprehensive online ground school
Rod Machado’s Instrument Pilot eGround School offers one of the most comprehensive courses, with 26 modules and 686 short video lessons totaling over 50 hours of instruction.
The course is designed and regularly updated by Rod Machado, an experienced flight instructor with over 50 years in the aviation field. The training modules can be downloaded to your tablet or phone and accessed anywhere, making it convenient to study on the go.
At the end of the course, students can access 151 quizzes and three practice exams to help prepare for the written test.
FAA endorsement: Yes
Course length: 50 hours; learn at your own pace
Subscription access: Lifetime
Cost: $279
Other available courses: Rod Machado’s 40-Hour Private Pilot eLearning Ground 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 Instrument Rating
Best for: Cutting-edge online ground school
The AviatorPro Instrument Rating online ground school is an innovative course featuring over 250 advanced, scenario-based video lessons, each about four minutes long.
AviatorPro focuses on quality rather than quantity, delivering precise and impactful content crafted to help pass the FAA written test on the first attempt. The course allows for self-paced study, enabling progress at your own pace and quickly mastering the material.
FAA endorsement: Yes
Course length: 25 hours; learn at your own pace
Subscription access: Lifetime
Cost: $499
Other available courses: Private Pilot ($499) and Commercial Pilot ($499), with Multi-Engine and Flight Instructor courses coming in 2025
Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA) Instrument Pilot Online Ground School
Best for: Affordable online ground school
The Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA) Instrument Pilot Online Ground School is one of the most affordable options in the online ground school market.
The course is an on-demand program that provides 10 hours of video content. It also allows students to take practice FAA exams and includes a fully searchable FAR/AIM.
However, unlike other courses with lifetime access, this one only offers 24 months.
FAA endorsement: Yes
Course length: 10 hours; learn at your own pace
Subscription access: 24 months
Cost: $199.95
Other available courses: Private Pilot Online Ground School ($179.95), Remote Pilot Online Ground School ($149.95), Private Pilot Virtual Test Prep ($149.95), Instrument Pilot Virtual Test Prep ($199.95); also offers robust pilot and FAA libraries
Sporty’s Instrument Rating Course – Online Ground School
Best for: All-in-one online ground school
Sporty’s Instrument Rating Course-Online 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 12 hours of HD video and animations, providing a comprehensive explanation of everything you need to know to become a safe and confident instrument-rated pilot. The 2025 edition is now available and includes new AI features, such as ChatDPE and ChatFAR.
FAA endorsement: Yes
Course length: 12 hours; learn at your own pace
Subscription access: Lifetime
Cost: $299
Other available courses: Learn To Fly Course-Private Pilot 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 Instrument Rating Ground School & Test Prep
Best for: Traditional online ground school
King Schools holds a unique place in the aviation education world, having been established in 1974 by John and Martha King. The King Schools Instrument Rating Ground School & Test Prep is ideal for those seeking a reputable, straightforward, and enjoyable program.
The course offers a self-paced review of aviation topics, including approach charts, flight instruments, holding patterns, and other relevant subjects. Sample videos are available on the King Schools website, demonstrating how simple and fun ground school can be.
FAA endorsement: Yes
Course length: 16 hours; learn at your own pace
Subscription access: Lifetime
Cost: $299
The Finer Points Instrument 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 touch to his training materials, including The Finer Points Instrument Pilot Course. This online ground school for instrument pilots features 124 interactive lessons, practice written tests, practice oral exams, and source books, allowing learning 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/per month, $149.99/three months, and $299/year
Other available courses: Private Pilot Course, Mastering Landings, and Standard Operating Procedures are all included with the subscription; Core Skills and Mastering Communications courses coming soon
Instrument Rating Requirements
The requirements for applying for an instrument rating are specified in § 61.65(a). To start your instrument rating training, you must have a private pilot license (PPL), be able to read, speak, write, and understand English, and hold at least a third-class FAA medical.
Once your prerequisites are fulfilled, you must complete ground training, pass the FAA written knowledge test, complete flight training to meet the required hour minimums, and ultimately pass the check ride.
Instrument Rating Online Ground School Requirements
Online ground school for an instrument rating is a home-study course that meets the aeronautical knowledge requirements of § 61.65(b).
The online ground school must cover the following aeronautical knowledge areas relevant to the instrument rating:
- Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) that apply to flight operations under IFR
- Appropriate information that applies to flight operations under IFR in the Aeronautical Information Manual
- Air traffic control (ATC) system and procedures for instrument flight operations
- IFR navigation and approaches by use of navigation systems
- Use of IFR en route and instrument approach procedure charts
- Procurement and use of aviation weather reports and forecasts, and the elements of forecasting weather trends based on that information and personal observation of weather conditions
- Safe and efficient operation of aircraft under IFR and conditions
- Recognition of critical weather situations and wind-shear avoidance
- Aeronautical decision making and judgment
- Crew resource management, including communication and coordination
Instrument Rating Online Ground School Considerations
When evaluating online ground schools for the instrument rating, consider these seven practical steps:
- Confirm the online ground school meets the FAA’s Part 141 or Part 61 requirements, as applicable.
- Review the online ground school provider’s ‘About’ section on their website to learn more about the course creators.
- Check how you can access the course content, such as through a website or mobile app, and find out if it can be downloaded for offline use.
- Browse each ground school provider’s “Reviews”’ section on its website to learn about its reputation.
- Consider the course pricing options, and keep in mind that learning is ongoing in the aviation industry; a lifetime subscription is ideal.
- Evaluate the teaching methods of each online ground school to ensure it aligns with your learning style.
- Look at the pass rates of each online ground school for the FAA written exam.
Let’s Get You Ready for Online Ground School
Online ground schools offer many benefits. Therefore, numerous reputable providers are ready to prepare you for the FAA written test and help you earn your instrument rating.
It’s time to choose one of these excellent online ground schools and start flying.
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 is the typical cost of an instrument rating online ground school?
The typical 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.
How long does it take to complete an instrument rating online ground school?
Most instrument rating online ground schools take between 30 and 50 hours to complete, depending on the provider and the level of engagement with the content.
Can I use an online ground school to refresh my IFR knowledge if I already have an instrument rating?
Yes, learning never stops in the aviation industry. Therefore, online ground school is a valuable tool to help you refresh your instrument knowledge.
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