Flight school. I am having no problem with flying aircraft. I am struggling with ground school. Suggestions?

Question

I am not having much trouble actually manipulating and motivating the aircraft at school. I fly well. However, I am having some trouble with ground school....the more book and technical part of learning.

I suspect it has to do with the classic, "Very Old Dog; New Trick", situation.

My instructor has suggestions, my fellows at work have ideas, and the old timers on the tarmac are very positive.

What are your suggestions?

CatLady:

I graduated from public school in 1982. However, I go to Hayward every March to the Mercury Marine school for ADA updates and certification.

I am a little surprised that I am struggle with ground school. A touch embarrassed.

Answer 1

You certainly have no reason to be embarrassed, MM. I personally always liked the Jepp-Sanderson teaching aids. I taught a ground school for a couple of years. Wasn't worth a darn at it, but then I never claimed to be an instructor of any kind. I found this, http://www.jeppesen.com/wlcs/application/commercewf?origin=category.jsp&event=link(browse)&wlcs_catalog_sourceKey=wlcs_categories&wlcs_catalog_destinationKey=wlcs_siblings&wlcs_catalog_category_id=AT1A1A which lists the little kit at $195. Has a plotter and a little cardboard E6B along with some other stuff. Main thing is the Private Pilot Manual, though. Well written with some good information. You might want to take a look at it.

Answer 2

if you are a hands on type of learner, as am I, trying to grasp a foreign concept from books is excruciating. The only suggestions I would make are to ask all the questions you need too, get extra help from the instructor if required. What has worked for me is to summon up the determination that I can learn this. When I got my air brake license, It was Greek to me. I literally wrote the hand book out word for word several times until some how it took hold and i got it. take each problem area on as one, don't worry about the grand plan, just take one hurdle at a time and don't move on until you grasp it entirely. It also helps if you ask yourself f you will remember this stuff, or have i reached a temporary understanding, sort of. When you get discouraged, look at some of the bozo's who are flying, THEY had to do it and so can you. Good Luck!!

private pilot 37 years

Answer 3

I have recently earned my private pilot license and I too had a little trouble with the ground school preparation for the written test. I have to recommend the practice tests available at www.sportys.com. This was a very valuable tool for me. The questions are exactly like what are on the real thing. Even the numbers are the same. Take it at least 5 times, it doesn't take long, and you'll have been exposed to almost every question on the test.

Also, have you considered the King School programs (also available at sportys.com)? My instructor recommended this to me.

Answer 4

There are different ways each person learns and absorbs new information. Since you do well "hands-on", you are considered a kinesthetic learner- that's why flying the plane is easier than understanding the principles behind it.
Use new technology- interactive DVDs, simulators with tutorials, do more training by observing and hangar-flying with other pilots.
Sometimes not all instructors can convey information as well as they can fly (those who can do, those who can't teach)--have you tried flying with or looking at a course plan of another instructor in the area?
The learning curve is different for each person.
You sound very motivated--soon you will have that "light-bulb" moment when it all seems to click.
Good luck!

Answer 5

I'm guessing you're going for your private. I had many different instructors during my flight training up to my commercial and I know often times the difficulty in ground school isn't you persay, but your learning style versus your instructor's teaching style. Remember first and foremost 99% of CFI's are aviators not classroom teachers. They aren't always the best at sitting down in an office and explaining things, they aren't trained for it as say a school teacher. I had an amazing instrument instructor in the air, I learned so much from him in the cockpit, but on the ground we didn't click and I couldn't understand a darned thing. I bought some books and read them cover to cover to get that part down. Thats what I'd suggest. If you are a learner that does well with raw facts, try the Gliem series of test prep books, but they are mostly for the written test. Jeppeson also makes a fine product albiet a tad expensive. If you are a visual learner, by a set of DVD's from King or Sportys. Another book I'd recommend is Light Airplane Navigation Essentials by Dr Paul A Craig, I took college courses taught by him, the man is amazing. The old standby Stick and Rudder is another good read. Above all though, if you don't already have it, get Rod Machado's Private Pilot Handbook. If you've never heard of him he is a brilliant CFI / comedian. It is actually a pleasure to read his works and trust me, his stuff will stick with you and it takes you all the way from how lift works to tracking an NDB and reading a NOTAM. Keep pluging, we all have trouble with some part of flight training. Me, I could never stick a decent landing until my CFI finally figured out how to get the technique through to me. I went from bouncing the plane 3 times per landing to greasing landings in 20 knot crosswinds in a matter of days. Sometimes in aviation things just click and the light bulb turns on and your worst skill suddenly becomes your best attribute as a pilot. Its really amazing. This will happen for you too. I'm sure soon the bulb lights up and you will be twice the book knowledge pilot as you are a stick and rudder pilot.

Also for future reading, I learned tons from Barry Schiff's The Proficient Pilot series. All loads of stuff they don't teach in flight school that is very, very useful.

Answer 6

A lot of people "poo poo" ground school and think that the real stuff is in the cockpit, but whether you agree with them or not the FAA (or TC) says you need both.
You're lucky that one of them comes naturally to you. I remember a bunch of people who struggled with both!

I find that being organized and rewriting things in my own hand really helps.
For example, I found the bit about airspace, altitudes and requirements pretty confusing the way they explained it. I tried a couple of different books and couldn't get it. Eventually I wrote it down in my own words and my own picture and it clicked. I now have that piece of paper laminated and in my kneeboard for quick reference if I need it.
I also found it makes a big difference what textbook you are using. Depending on which section you might be struggling with, try a different book. (For example, if you have trouble with the engine and systems, try a book that is well recommended on maintenance. If you are struggling with weather, ask around about a book that focuses on weather.)
It might cost a bit more, but flying isn't for the under-funded.
It might take a lot more reading, but you want to understand the stuff, right? It's worth the time.

It sounds like you are a more hands-on person though. You probably learn by doing or seeing.
If it is maintenance/systems, spend some time at the FBO with a mechanic. Tell him you are interested to watch and talk to him as he works and he'll probably be impressed that a pilot actually cares about what's under the cowling and he'll be able to explain things in a way that will probably stick.
If it's weather, go to a local weather office.
If it's navigation, talk to your flying instructor and they can probably explain it in a different way.

Write stuff down in your own words, verify that they are right, and then make it into a reference card for the future.

Answer 7

I took flying lessons in the pre-internet-days (early 1990s) and used study guides for the ground school part (they were paperback, with red covers and I cannot for the life of me remember who published them). I spent every evening after work studying those books. I also took a separate ground-school course offered at the time through the University of Alabama's Special Studies course.
I managed to pass both my flight test and written test on the first try -- and I was 33 years old at the time.

Answer 8

Basically I sympathize with you. You have been out of school a while haven't you? :) We all forget how to study about 30 seconds after graduation. Get back into good study habits. And learning this won't be any harder than learning Algebra.
PS I graduated in 71 snd every time I have had to hit the books since then it has been a struggle until I get into a routine, stick with it the law of averages are with you. You can't lose them all. Just keep trying.

Answer 9

I suspect that you are working on your private pilot's license, right? What aspects of ground school are difficult for you? All of it? Or some particular aspects? Perhaps you need another perspective on things. Do you know Rod Machado's Private Pilot Handbook? It's really well written in easy-to-understand language.

What is your educational background? Perhaps you could relate something in ground school to something you've previously learned?

If you want to write to me, perhaps I could offer some additional insights.

It does get easier... believe me. I've been there! We all have.