If you’re a military veteran interested in using your GI benefits to pay for ground and flight school, the good news is that you can get a portion of your training covered by meeting certain criteria. Ground school is an essential part of flight training, and we reveal what to expect and how to increase your chances of success.
Ground School: What It Is and What It Teaches
Ground school is meant to provide students with the basic, theoretical information needed to pilot an aircraft successfully and safely. It is also a necessary step in order to progress to the practical portion of training in an airplane.
Some of the common topics covered by a flight academy in ground-school training include those involving the performance of an aircraft but also its systems and factors affecting flight, such as:
- Weather, including charts and theory
- Aircraft instruments and systems
- Aircraft weight and balance, aerodynamics, and performance
- Airport operations and runway diagrams
At the end of ground school, a written examination is given to test your knowledge of the above and other topics. Accelerated ground school offers complete basic flight training over several weeks, as opposed to several months.
What Should You Expect from Ground School?
The first thing you should expect from ground school is that it’s a necessary part of your flight training. Ground school forms the foundation for everything you will learn about flying, but this training alone won’t provide you with the knowledge you need to fly an airplane. For that, you will need to pass the examination in order to qualify for the flight portion of your training.
In accelerated training, you can expect more intensity and a much faster pace. This will require you to do some homework prior to starting so that you can have a better handle on the topics you’ll be learning.
Tips for Succeeding in Ground School
Because the pace will be far quicker in accelerated ground school, it’s important to try to review as much as possible before your training begins. This can be accomplished by obtaining and reviewing course materials several weeks prior. Doing this will make it easier to learn new material and make sense of the course.
Check the flying academy’s list of required materials for the titles you’ll need. It’s also a good idea to read the pilot’s operating handbook for the training aircraft you’ll be flying or the airplane flight manual. They will help you get familiarized with aircraft terminology and systems.
Finally, by taking your homework seriously, you can ensure that you absorb as much as possible from your ground school experience.
One of Florida’s Best Instrument Flight Schools
Getting the most out of accelerated ground school includes choosing an academy with experience. Kingsky Flight Academy is VA-approved with over 60 years of experience. Because it is owned by airline captains, you’ll receive the best possible training at the highest standards of safety and quality. Get started today by calling 863-248-2543.