The day is your first flight lesson ever. You pull back on the yoke and feel the excitement as you lift off the ground. Anxiously watching, your instructor brings the plane back in for a landing and you are still in the daze of the first lesson. Whats next? Probably not studying for a written test that involves no flying. Well after spending countless hours studying and then acing the test I will give you my advice for your private pilot written test.
I took a ground school at my university as well as ASA's Virtual Test Prep home school DVD set. This was probably a little over kill. Choose one or the other. If you have the opportunity to take a ground school somewhere with a real instructor do this. The DVD's are great and will get you ready but aren't the same as interaction with another person. If you do choose to do the home DVD's I have heard Sportys has a better program than ASA but the local shop had ASA for me.
As far as text books all I used was Jeppesen's private pilot text book and practice question book (Ill post links to everything down below). Just get one text book and one book that has practice questions. I was talked into buying multiple practice test software's and they are all identical.
Ok so now you have your supplies, how are you going to study? Well most instructors tell you "get the written out of the way as soon as possible". While this is extremely convenient I slightly disagree. There were things I learned along the way from my flying lessons that really helped me with my written test. Now I am not saying wait till the last minute to take it. However, if you wait until after you have some flying experience under your belt you might find an added bonus when you do decide to take the test. The way I studied was this. I took the ground school and passed that. Six months later I decided to get my license and didnt really remember much from my class. So I worked through the home DVDs every other night after my flying lessons. TAKE NOTES DURING THE GROUND SCHOOL LESSONS!!! Whether you are learning on the discs or from an instructor make sure you must take notes. After the DVDs all I did was plow through practice test after practice test until I thought i'd seen every question there was. Don't bother re watching the DVDs as the practice tests are crucial. Call the place where you are taking the written as they will allow you to come in and take free practice tests. Get used to the atmosphere there. Once you can get at least an 80% or above consistently then you can think about taking the real test. You only need a 70% to pass.
Now its time to take a deep breath and take your test. You will find the test is very similar to all the practice tests you have taken. Get a glass of water and make sure you have your drivers license and log book with endorsements. If you are taking the test on the computer you can register for your testing center with CATS testing registration and save some time.
So there is my experience with prepping for the test. Please send me comments and questions you have! Also let me know how your written test went!!
Links to books and DVDs:
http://www.amazon.com/Guided-Flight-Discovery-Private-Pilot/dp/088487429X/ref=pd_sim_b_13
http://www.amazon.com/Private-Pilot-Airmen-Knowledge-Guide/dp/0884875164/ref=pd_sim_b_2
http://www.sportys.com/PilotShop/category/1038
http://www.asa2fly.com/Virtual-Test-Prep---Private-Pilot-Widescreen-Edition-P1050_product1.aspx?UserID=21891133&SessionID=tvi3YXJHBvVtysxlwb9G
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ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Kelly and I saw the link of your blog in youtube, I Want to become a pilot but I'm more than scared because from what I've seen, I think is really hard to study plus english isn't my native language. I'm Planning to study in miami but I don't know what to expect..Can you help me with your experience please, Thank you.
ReplyDeleteFirst let me say that if you truly want to fly then nothing will hold you back. The English language doesn't have to be your native tongue but as long as you can read, write, speak etc.. English well enough you'll be just fine. If not then there are many classes you can take to become more efficient in the English language. If you are in college you can take language classes or there are even online/dvd training courses to lesson the language barrier. Don't be scared of the studying. Yes its a pain but if you like flying you can make it fun. Use flash cards or study in a group or go hang at the airport and study while watching airplanes. If you are working at your own pace the pressure to study by a certain time may be lessened as opposed to a fast track flight school. I would recommend calling the flight school you are planning to do your training and explain your situation. They can guide you on what to do based upon their take on your English ability. Do not let anyone tell you that its not possible. Work hard and enjoy the skies! Hopefully this helps and if not please ask more questions!
ReplyDeleteI Can Speak english and I understand most of it, I already talked to the school, they're very nice and I read that they have at least 25 years of experience, Like you said I'm going to have to study very hard and that's the scary part, I know nothing is going to be easy but is really intimidating, the good thing is that I'm not going to do anything else while I'm preparing myself to get the license.. anyways thanks.
ReplyDeleteCool blog by the way!
Hi,my name is Nasimudheeen my dream is to become an airline pilot currently i am pursuing class plus2 in Saudi Arabia,first let me thank you for your blog,i didn't know what or why you mentioned about driving license and log book with endorsement
ReplyDeleteand currently i don't own one. i have checked with three schools to complete my course phoenix east aviation academy, Florida.delta flight school, Texas. safa flight school, KSA. what is your opinion about my selection of schools and also if you have some suggestion about other schools and please also help me to reach my license asap.yours hopefully
Happy Landings,
Nasim
Thanks for checking out the blog! First of all you will want a log book to log all the hours and flights you do along the way. However, you will probably get one at the flight school you choose. I'm not sure about the laws in Saudi (you'll have to check with a local school or website) but in the US you need to have a form of identification along with your medical certificate and pilot certificate whenever you fly. As far as the schools you choose they are a reputable and offer assistance to international students. My advice would to give each school a call and talk to them for a few minutes. You will most likely be able to form some opinion on the school from just a phone chat. Some of the schools I called were very pushy and made me feel uncomfortable. Another thing to look at is price. Essentially you will leave each place with the same ratings and most likely about the same hours. So shop around and get the best deal. Also, look at scholarships. Since you are an international student you stand a good chance at winning some scholarships and financing for your dream. I always welcome more questions if you have them! Thanks!
ReplyDeletethanks,can i get a student pilot license before i join some academy for my course.if there is a chance will you please help me
ReplyDeleteTo get a student pilots licence you simply must pass a medical exam. You can google the nearest doctor that performs these FAA medical exams. They usually cost $100-$200. It is recommended that you get this done as soon as possible but you can probably have this done at the school you choose as well!
ReplyDeletebut i am currently in ksa so how can i get an FAA certified license and one more thing do i only need to pass a medical test and no other test(A written or an oral test)and if pass the medical exam what is the next procedure i should do. currently i have located to doctors that perform these exam
ReplyDeleteLOL. Yolk? That's for eggs. Airplanes have a yoke. YOKE!
ReplyDelete