My name is Ben Lovegrove and in this video I'm going to offer seven tips about ground
school studies for PPL students who are learning to fly.
If you feel a little overwhelmed by the amount of knowledge you have to absorb or you just
want to complete the ground school training as efficiently as possible then stay tuned.
I learned to fly in the 1980s and obtained a Private Pilots Licence in 1991.
I used the Trevor Thom PPL manuals and went to evening ground school classes.
For some students the prospect of studying the Ground School subjects for the Private
Pilots Licence is just as daunting as learning to fly itself.
Perhaps you were not top of the class in Maths or English.
Maybe you doubt your own abilities, or is it the thought of speaking on the radio that
worries you?
The sheer amount of knowledge on unfamiliar subjects that you will be expected to absorb
may fill you with dread.
If you're learning to fly later in life then it could be a while since you did any formal
study, let a alone pass any exams.
However, the PPL ground school subjects fall into several categories.
Each of those categories is further sub divided into related sections.
By taking it slowly and building as you go you will be surprised just how much you have
learned in a few weeks.
Tip Number 1.
There's a wealth of information out there
Not so long ago the only way to study the PPL ground school subjects was using text
books and going to classes.
The books and the classes remain a essential components but now there are so many other
supplements you can use:
Interactive DVDs for the home or office CDs or digital files while you travel
Simulator software Apps that both teach and quiz you
Social media groups in which you learn from each other
Free information on pilot and aviation blogs
Today you have so many ways of accessing the required knowledge that it can present a bewildering
amount of choice.
Try these various options and use one or two that work best for you.
Tip Number 2.
Go at your own pace.
It's not a race
You're not competing with other students so if you attend classes and others seem more
knowledgeable then don't be dismayed.
This is not about being first past the post.
This is about learning and understanding in such a way that it makes you a more confident
and competent pilot.
If you need more time, take it, and remind yourself that often the people who learn more
slowly learn more deeply.
Tip Number 3.
Enjoy the PPL ground school subjects
Presumably you're learning to fly because you have more than a slight interest in aviation.
So approach all the ground school subjects with a sense of curiosity.
Be open minded to the ideas and concepts.
By making this conscious effort you will remove some the resistance that makes learning difficult
at times.
Tip Number 4.
Don't be shy to ask for extra help
If your flying school provides only group classes and you feel yourself falling behind
or if you simply don't understand certain aspects then ask for additional help.
Many of us went to schools with large class sizes so we didn't always receive the tuition
that we needed.
The advantage of flying schools is that you can easily obtain that extra one to one tuition
from an instructor.
Tip Number 5.
Get into the habit of regular study
A little an often is usually the best way to proceed.
Read a chapter, mull it over, contemplate it until you're satisfied you've got the general
idea, then move on.
It can be helpful to set aside the same times each week to that it becomes a habit.
Set a schedule that's realistic for you and stick to it.
Tip Number 6.
Remember why you are studying
these subjects Studying the PPL ground school subjects is not a tick-box exercise designed
just to get you through a multiple choice exam.
A good understanding of all the subjects will enhance your enjoyment of flying by making
you a more confident pilot.
Tip Number 7.
The learning never ends
Once you've passed the exams, don't stop there.
Continue to maintain a healthy standard of knowledge by reading aviation books and magazines.
Learn from other pilots who have made mistakes and written about them.
The I Learned About Flying from That volumes are packed with stories written by pilots
who made a mistake or an error of judgement.
They learned from the experience and have now passed on that knowledge to us.
Ready to start?
Thinking of revising?
Here's a reminder of what you'll be studying in your PPL ground school.
Air Law & Operational Procedures Navigation & Radio Aids
Meteorology Aircraft General & Principles of Flight
Human Performance & Limitations Flight Performance & Planning
VHF Radio written and oral exam
I hope you found these tips useful.
If so, please give this video a like and add a comment below.
I would love to hear from other aviators and student pilots.
Also, check out my other videos about learning to fly.
Good luck with your studies!