For those of you who self studied... What did you use?

[Anthony L]

Hello everyone...pretty simple question. I am interested in doing
self-study for my ground school. I feel like I would do better at my own
pace, and I have a lot of experience working with industry certifications at
home, so I don't think I will lose any quality training.

I have read about many different companies that sell self-study packages. I
have received paperwork from Sporty, King, and some other one's via email.
Does anyone have any comments on the different packages? Anyone want to
recommend one over the other, or are they all just about the same? Any
specific packages you would suggest, maybe comeplete with practice tests and
such?

Thanks from a new Student Pilot!
Anthony

[Thomas J. Paladino Jr.]

"Anthony L" > wrote in message
news:0dyic.14841$YP5.1090710@attbi_s02...
> Hello everyone...pretty simple question. I am interested in doing
> self-study for my ground school. I feel like I would do better at my own
> pace, and I have a lot of experience working with industry certifications
at
> home, so I don't think I will lose any quality training.
>
> I have read about many different companies that sell self-study packages.
I
> have received paperwork from Sporty, King, and some other one's via email.
> Does anyone have any comments on the different packages? Anyone want to
> recommend one over the other, or are they all just about the same? Any
> specific packages you would suggest, maybe comeplete with practice tests
and
> such?
>

I did my training about 2 years ago, and about 95% of my ground school was
self-taught.

My school gave me the Cessna multimedia ground school (essentially the same
package as the King course), and I thought it was great, overall. The
package includes CD-ROMs for interactive video training, as well as a highly
useful textbook, and a few other tools. The CDs have informative and easy to
swallow video lessons and practice quizzes. My one criticism would be that
it does not cover weather theory in enough detail; but nothing that can't be
filled in by your instructor and other sources.

In addition to this package, I made it a point to read as much as I possibly
could about aviation in general. This newsgroup is a really valuable
resource, and there are some great websites out there as well
(www.ipilot.com is one that I recommend). Get a couple of magazine
subscriptions (you should get AOPA Flight Training for sure), and buy a
couple of other textbooks, especially pretaining to weather, just to round
yourself out and compare notes between the different sources. You'll find
that hearing the same thing from several different places will not only
reinforce the information, but will often provide different ways of
presenting the same issue, giving you valuable insight into not only the
black-and-white of the facts, but also the how and why these determinations
were made.

Overall, my training took just under a year, and I got a 98% on the written.

Good luck!

[Flyin'8]

Jeppesen has a ground school kit. Has everything you need.

On Sat, 24 Apr 2004 18:19:40 GMT, "Anthony L" > wrote:

>Hello everyone...pretty simple question. I am interested in doing
>self-study for my ground school. I feel like I would do better at my own
>pace, and I have a lot of experience working with industry certifications at
>home, so I don't think I will lose any quality training.
>
>I have read about many different companies that sell self-study packages. I
>have received paperwork from Sporty, King, and some other one's via email.
>Does anyone have any comments on the different packages? Anyone want to
>recommend one over the other, or are they all just about the same? Any
>specific packages you would suggest, maybe comeplete with practice tests and
>such?
>
>Thanks from a new Student Pilot!
>Anthony
>

[Kyle Boatright]

"Anthony L" > wrote in message
news:0dyic.14841$YP5.1090710@attbi_s02...
> Hello everyone...pretty simple question. I am interested in doing
> self-study for my ground school. I feel like I would do better at my own
> pace, and I have a lot of experience working with industry certifications
at
> home, so I don't think I will lose any quality training.
>
> I have read about many different companies that sell self-study packages.
I
> have received paperwork from Sporty, King, and some other one's via email.
> Does anyone have any comments on the different packages? Anyone want to
> recommend one over the other, or are they all just about the same? Any
> specific packages you would suggest, maybe comeplete with practice tests
and
> such?
>
> Thanks from a new Student Pilot!
> Anthony

I purchased one $20 study manual at my local FBO. It did the job. That
said, IF I'm interested in a subject, I can pick up the relevant information
in a single reading, which isn't true for everyone.

KB

[Dan Truesdell]

I used the Jepp ground school kit, albeit from 1979, and had little
difficulty. No tapes, just reading the stuff. (I was an aeronautical
engineering student at the time, which helped.) I used the King tapes
for my IFR written and, though corny at times, thought they were fine.
I also used the Gliems computer-based test prep. Thought that was most
useful. I'm currently using the King Commercial tapes. (I chose tapes
over CD/DVD because we have a VCR in the basement in front of the
treadmill. Makes the exercising go much faster.)



Anthony L wrote:
> Hello everyone...pretty simple question. I am interested in doing
> self-study for my ground school. I feel like I would do better at my own
> pace, and I have a lot of experience working with industry certifications at
> home, so I don't think I will lose any quality training.
>
> I have read about many different companies that sell self-study packages. I
> have received paperwork from Sporty, King, and some other one's via email.
> Does anyone have any comments on the different packages? Anyone want to
> recommend one over the other, or are they all just about the same? Any
> specific packages you would suggest, maybe comeplete with practice tests and
> such?
>
> Thanks from a new Student Pilot!
> Anthony
>
>


--
Remove "2PLANES" to reply.

[Peter Duniho]

"Anthony L" > wrote in message
news:0dyic.14841$YP5.1090710@attbi_s02...
> [...]
> I have read about many different companies that sell self-study packages.
I
> have received paperwork from Sporty, King, and some other one's via email.
> Does anyone have any comments on the different packages? Anyone want to
> recommend one over the other, or are they all just about the same?

Over the years, I have used the Jeppesen student package, King School's
videos and test-taking software, Gleim prep manuals, ASA exam guides, and
Kerschner's training books.

In some respect, all were adequate and roughly similar. At the same time,
none were 100% complete, IMHO. Any reference or training aid sufficiently
concise to be useful in preparing for some FAA certification is also going
to have some gaps in its coverage.

I would say from an aesthetic point of view, I liked the Kings and
Kerschner's products the best, since they are less formal, giving them more
of a friendly, interactive feel. If you hate corny jokes, stay away from
the Kings. :)

Pete

p.s. I hear a guy named "Gardner" has a good book out too, but I haven't
had the chance to read it, so I can't comment. :)

[Jay Beckman]

"Anthony L" > wrote in message
news:0dyic.14841$YP5.1090710@attbi_s02...
> Hello everyone...pretty simple question. I am interested in doing
> self-study for my ground school. I feel like I would do better at my own
> pace, and I have a lot of experience working with industry certifications
at
> home, so I don't think I will lose any quality training.
>
> I have read about many different companies that sell self-study packages.
I
> have received paperwork from Sporty, King, and some other one's via email.
> Does anyone have any comments on the different packages? Anyone want to
> recommend one over the other, or are they all just about the same? Any
> specific packages you would suggest, maybe comeplete with practice tests
and
> such?
>
> Thanks from a new Student Pilot!
> Anthony
>
>

Anthony,

I'm currently training using the Cessna/King program.

While I like it for it's content, I'd prefer that it was on DVD and not
CD-ROM.

The main reason: I'd like to be able to use it on my TV as well as on a PC.

However, becaue it's PC-centric, I CAN use it on BOTH my desktop at home and
on my laptop if I'm travelling. Not everyone has DVD capability both home
and road.

The only other knock I'd put on Cessna/King is that some of their production
elements are a little dated. The King's use static drawings/cartoons which
would probably be a little clearer to understand if they were done with good
quality 3D models/animations. The Sporty's DVD series is a little cleaner
in this regard (IMO.) (Observation based on viewing a demo of the Sporty's
series...)

Of course you can't get the picture quality with a CD-ROM that you can get
wtih DVD either...but this isn't a major nit to pick.

However, I'm jaded ... I work in live Sports TV...

HTH...

Jay Beckman
Student Pilot - KCHD
13.9 Hrs ... Nowhere to go but up!

[Shirley]

I used the Jeppesen Private Pilot Manual and Flight Maneuvers books in
conjunction with the ASA test guide. The $200 I spent for a Part 141 group
ground school course (12 students, 2 instructors) was probably some of the
*best* spent time and $$. They assigned reading prior to each class and went
over all of it with models other 3-D instructional aids in class. Each class
also started with 20 actual test questions. It was helpful to hear and discuss
questions and confusions everyone had, compare notes on our training and just
meet others (I know that's not important to everyone). Some people learn it
directly from a book with no problem; for the rest of us, the opportunity to
discuss and ask questions in conjunction with the reading helps to understand
more clearly. Practice tests are *SO* helpful--you can do them online at:
<http://www.exams4pilots.org/>
--Shirley

[David Reinhart]

My PPL test was almost 30 years ago. For my much more recent instrument
written, I used the Gleim CD test prep CD and the Sporty's on-line practice
tests.

Dave Reinhart


Anthony L wrote:

> Hello everyone...pretty simple question. I am interested in doing
> self-study for my ground school. I feel like I would do better at my own
> pace, and I have a lot of experience working with industry certifications at
> home, so I don't think I will lose any quality training.
>
> I have read about many different companies that sell self-study packages. I
> have received paperwork from Sporty, King, and some other one's via email.
> Does anyone have any comments on the different packages? Anyone want to
> recommend one over the other, or are they all just about the same? Any
> specific packages you would suggest, maybe comeplete with practice tests and
> such?
>
> Thanks from a new Student Pilot!
> Anthony

[Cub Driver]

I did everything: I bought Rod Machado's book, I took a (dos) computer
study course, and I took ground school. In the end, I missed three
questions, one of which funnily enough had to do with the recreational
ticket I was seeking, and which of course was not covered in any of
the study materials.

Today I would look for a computer course, preferably online, rather
than buying DVDs I would likely not use again, and which might soon
become dated.

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

The Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
The Piper Cub Forum www.pipercubforum.com
Viva Bush! blog www.vivabush.org

[DP]

I used Rod Machado's PP manual.... it works well for the BFR too...:)
used online test prep sites like risingup.com. There are other out
there too that I don't remember the names, but watch out as most of
them do have some wrong answers....:)


On Sat, 24 Apr 2004 18:19:40 GMT, "Anthony L" > wrote:

>Hello everyone...pretty simple question. I am interested in doing
>self-study for my ground school. I feel like I would do better at my own
>pace, and I have a lot of experience working with industry certifications at
>home, so I don't think I will lose any quality training.
>
>I have read about many different companies that sell self-study packages. I
>have received paperwork from Sporty, King, and some other one's via email.
>Does anyone have any comments on the different packages? Anyone want to
>recommend one over the other, or are they all just about the same? Any
>specific packages you would suggest, maybe comeplete with practice tests and
>such?
>
>Thanks from a new Student Pilot!
>Anthony
>

Don Paquette
PP-ASEL
N9723X

[C J Campbell]

King tapes, ASA practice exams and Gleim books.

[Don Tuite]

Langeweishe and Kershner.

Don

[G.R. Patterson III]

I used the Jepessen Private Pilot Manual for the basic information and a red "study
guide" for the cramming portion. I think the latter is by Gleim, but I'm not sure. In
any case, I see it at just about every FBO.

I studied the Jep book on my own through several months of my training. Read it
through several times. Then I went through the study manual, answering all the
questions over a period of about two weeks in my spare time. I was not real pleased
with the results; on the second pass, I seemed to do just as badly. So, I locked
myself in the house one weekend and did nothing but eat, sleep, and work the
questions in the study guide over and over again (I'm deadly serious about that). At
10:00 the following Monday, I was at the testing office.

I passed.

George Patterson
If you don't tell lies, you never have to remember what you said.

[Morgans]

"Kyle Boatright" > wrote

>That said, IF I'm interested in a subject, I can pick up the relevant
>information in a single reading, which isn't true for everyone.
>
> KB
>
>
Pick up what?
<g>
--
Jim in NC


---
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[Kyle Boatright]

"Morgans" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Kyle Boatright" > wrote
>
> >That said, IF I'm interested in a subject, I can pick up the relevant
> >information in a single reading, which isn't true for everyone.
> >
> > KB
> >
> >
> Pick up what?
> <g>
> --
> Jim in NC
>
>

I have no idea.

KB

[Darrell]

Just go to an aviation supply store and look through the available study
packages. I did that for my Instrument Instructor test and still got 100%
on the exam. Sometimes you will have to do a little convincing if you want
to use a school's facilities to take the exam. They say if their failure
rate gets too high they will lose their certification. Since I didn't go
through their program I had to assure them I would get a good grade. They
only charged me for administrating the test itself.

I did it the same way for my Commercial, ATP, Ground Instructor, CFI, etc.
(written exams only)

As a note, I got my Commercial/Instrument as a then-current Air Force pilot
by just taking the civilian regulations/procedures written exam. The
problem: I was then only current in the B-52 so they issued me a
multi-engine certificate. I couldn't afford to rent a multi-engine for
private trips so I had to go to the fixed base operator in Minot, ND to get
single engine privileges on my license. (early 1960s)

The FBO guy was surprised. He'd seen lots of guys with single engine rating
applying for multi engine ratings but never the reverse like me.

--

B-58 Hustler History: http://members.cox.net/dschmidt1/
-

"Anthony L" > wrote in message
news:0dyic.14841$YP5.1090710@attbi_s02...
> Hello everyone...pretty simple question. I am interested in doing
> self-study for my ground school. I feel like I would do better at my own
> pace, and I have a lot of experience working with industry certifications
at
> home, so I don't think I will lose any quality training.
>
> I have read about many different companies that sell self-study packages.
I
> have received paperwork from Sporty, King, and some other one's via email.
> Does anyone have any comments on the different packages? Anyone want to
> recommend one over the other, or are they all just about the same? Any
> specific packages you would suggest, maybe comeplete with practice tests
and
> such?
>
> Thanks from a new Student Pilot!
> Anthony
>
>

[Dave S]

I used the Jeppesen and Kershner texts, the AIM and the Gleim test books.

Dave

Anthony L wrote:
> Hello everyone...pretty simple question. I am interested in doing
> self-study for my ground school. I feel like I would do better at my own
> pace, and I have a lot of experience working with industry certifications at
> home, so I don't think I will lose any quality training.
>
> I have read about many different companies that sell self-study packages. I
> have received paperwork from Sporty, King, and some other one's via email.
> Does anyone have any comments on the different packages? Anyone want to
> recommend one over the other, or are they all just about the same? Any
> specific packages you would suggest, maybe comeplete with practice tests and
> such?
>
> Thanks from a new Student Pilot!
> Anthony
>
>

[Journeyman]

In article <0dyic.14841$YP5.1090710@attbi_s02>, Anthony L wrote:
> Hello everyone...pretty simple question. I am interested in doing
> self-study for my ground school. I feel like I would do better at my own

You have two separate objectives. To pass the test, any FAA test, I'd
use the relevent Gleim book. Some people prefer interactive software,
etc, but the book works best for me. Just make as many passes over it
as you need to get all the questions. Make sure you understand the
answers.

To know what you actually need to know, any book will do. The
Machado book has a higher humor content but that makes it a longer
read to cover the same material. I've read several different books,
which give different perspective and repetition of the material.
Others will have their preferences. I think Bob Gardner who posts
here has one (I've several of his books, including "Say Again, Please"
which I've given to Lonny to teach her some of the radio work).

You will also need to read the regs (FARs), and the Aeronautical
Information Manual (AIM).

Since I don't have a photographic memory, I try to read some text
and/or the FAR/AIM once a year.


Morris (with an overflowing input queue)