When's the Best Time to Start Ground School?
Are you considering becoming a pilot and wondering when to start ground school?
Deciding on the best time to begin your ground school training can be challenging. Should you start before your flying lessons, simultaneously, or after mastering basic flying skills?
We asked two nationally recognized flight instructors for their insights on the optimal timing for ground school. Here’s what they had to say.
Benefits of Concurrent Ground School and Flight Training
Doug Stewart, a Master Flight Instructor and 2004 FAA Flight Instructor of the Year, provides valuable advice:
“My perspective is that it is best if formal ground-school classes are attended concurrently with the flight training. Unfortunately, in many cases, the curriculum of the typical ground school is designed to achieve a passing grade on the knowledge test and nothing more. Therefore, the learning rarely progresses beyond the rote level and, as a result, is usually forgotten by the time the student has progressed to the applicant stage in a practical test.”
Doug recommends starting your ground school studies as soon as possible if the primary goal is to pass the knowledge test. However, he advises delaying the test until you’re ready for solo cross-country flight. This way, the practical experience from flight training will complement and reinforce your theoretical knowledge, making it more memorable and applicable.
Advantages of Completing Ground School Early
Arlynn McMahon, the 2009 FAA Flight Instructor of the Year and chief flight instructor at Aero-Tech Inc. in Lexington, Kentucky, shares her insights:
“If the training program is organized from a flight syllabus (and it should be), then it is preferable to do flight and ground training concurrently. It helps the student understand the practical application of what is being learned and reduces rote memorization.
Most students graduate having fewer flight hours and spend the least money to certification when ground is concurrent with flight. Most professionally written, commercially available syllabi (Cessna, Jeppesen, etc.) use this technique — assuming the instructor is using it as designed.”
Arlynn highlights that for students experiencing interruptions in their training or working with instructors who do not follow a structured syllabus, completing ground school early or before starting flight training might be better.
This approach helps students understand the overall process of becoming a pilot and maintains their motivation, especially for younger students not yet eligible for certification.
The Value of Classroom-Style Ground School
Arlynn also emphasizes the benefits of traditional, classroom-style ground school whenever possible, regardless of its timing in your flight training schedule. Interacting with classmates and following a structured schedule can significantly enhance the learning experience.
Conclusion
Integrating ground school with flight training is often the best approach, but there are valid reasons to start ground school early or adjust the schedule based on individual circumstances. Flight training is a highly personalized journey, and understanding the flexibility and options available can help more students complete their training successfully.
Ready to unlock the magic of flight? Whether you’re just starting or looking to enhance your training, ground school is a crucial step in becoming a confident, knowledgeable pilot. Enroll at Bravo 6 Flight Academy today.
