Private Pilot Video Course Recommendation?

[jdangel]

This is for my 15 year old daughter who wants to start training or at least learning aviation theory, rules, etc beyond just what I teach her while we are flying.

Typical kid these days much more of a visual learner, so my first thought was the Sportys courses, but I will have to say they seem quite dry. There are other online options I believe but I am unfamiliar as I learned with John and Martha on VHS (and love their courses). I was considering that too, but King is really much more focused on the written test only, and I would like something with a bit more aviation theory (here are what the flight controls do in a visual way - I have done this in the plane but the videos really help too).

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[RyanB]

I like King. They all cover the same material, so I’m not sure which one you’re thinking about that has more “theory, rules etc.”

 

[JScarry]

Before you invest in a course, you might want to check out YouTube videos.

I like MzeroA Flight Training https://www.youtube.com/user/MzeroAFlightTraining

Gary Wing has a lot of good stuff as well https://www.youtube.com/user/garrywing

Andy Munnis has a good video on what to watch out for on your private checkride.

You can also learn a lot from Stevo1Kinevo. There are lots more out there, including some King videos.

 

[jdangel]

I guess my point is that King focuses on literally the written test, so exactly the material to answer those questions. Courses like Sportys go beyond that and illustrate things like landing technique (aiming point, etc). Thinking back perhaps the "Complete King" courses that have the other take off videos with them are what you are thinking of, and you are right. I guess something more modern is what I am thinking of.

 

[write-stuff]

Have your daughter sign up at Gold Seal. She can take an extensive free test drive and that translates into a LOT of lesson content without charge. She can check it out completely before deciding to spend your money. Gold Seal is a complete program from written test to checkride. And we've been doing it longer than anyone else!

www.FAAGroundSchool.com

 

[ACG]

King has several different courses. The one I purchased is online and covers everything for Sport and PPL for both written and practical. They cover techniques for every part of flying for the private pilot.

 

[bobmrg]

This is for my 15 year old daughter who wants to start training or at least learning aviation theory, rules, etc beyond just what I teach her while we are flying.

Typical kid these days much more of a visual learner, so my first thought was the Sportys courses, but I will have to say they seem quite dry. There are other online options I believe but I am unfamiliar as I learned with John and Martha on VHS (and love their courses). I was considering that too, but King is really much more focused on the written test only, and I would like something with a bit more aviation theory (here are what the flight controls do in a visual way - I have done this in the plane but the videos really help too).

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

How about ASA's online ground school? www.asa2fly.com. It is not aimed at test passing per se but on broader knowledge.

Bob Gardner

 

[Brian Jones]

I would second checking out Gold Seal! I found their presentation engaging, thorough, and professional. Plus, you can go through almost half of the material for free.

 

[Joseph Schimnich]

I would highly recommend Sporty's Online Private Pilot Ground School. It is free for kids ages 8-17 when they complete a Young Eagle ride. This is not some gimmick either. If you take a look at Sporty's Website, the ground school costs $200.

 

[exncsurfer]

@jdangel ,
AOPA has a decent selection of free online courses I would recommend for someone starting out before investing any money into a training program. My CFI had me go through several of these when I first started and didn't know what a mixture knob was:
for example:
https://www.aopa.org/lms/courses/aerodynamics
http://flash.aopa.org/asf/engine_prop/
http://flash.aopa.org/asf/pneumatic_systems/
http://www.aopa.org/lms/courses/runway-safety/

top level link:
https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/online-learning

An AOPA account is required but it is free. You just have to create a username and password.

Those aren't video courses, they are online web based training 'modules', but I figured interactive with quizzing might be more engaging than just reading or even just watching a video.

 

[RyanLikesFlying]

I did the online Sporty's course. It was attractive to me because it was both test prep and learning modules.

I took the written test twice. No, I didn't fail it LOL.

The test is good for two years. I did Sporty's, took the test in 2014. Passed with an 88 after blowing through the online modules.

Test results expired and I retook it over the summer of 2017 when I finally finished up my PPL. Got an 88 again after reviewing the Sporty's course.

It doesn't expire and you can review it later if you have questions. Once you pass a couple practice tests, it will give you a CFI endorsement to take the ground test so you can always take the test before you even start your lessons without asking an instructor for an endorsement. That will likely save you some money on ground school if you show up with your test done.