Ground School Classes

At Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose

Call our office at (408) 320-9614 to enroll

We offer a new style of Ground School – one designed to prepare you for the knowledge and judgment required to be a safe, competent pilot capable of making informed decisions. Our class differs from others in that our focus is more on the knowledge to pass the checkride (the final flight test), rather than just pass the written test. Each class will go in depth on Tasks in the Airman Certification Standards (ACS), which are the standards you must meet or exceed during the final examination (checkride) to earn your pilot license. This course will develop your understanding of what to study, teach you the expectations of knowledge, skill and judgment to become a private or sport pilot, and prepare you for the oral portion of the checkride.

This class is a cost-saving alternative to much of the ground instruction you will need with your instructor. It is also a great way to meet other students and develop friendships with people of all ages going through the same experience you are. We recommend attending class as you begin flight training or concurrently if you’ve already begun flying. Class will be taught by our flight instructors, all of whom are actively teaching both flight & ground training with us.

We will do an accelerated version of our ground schools with classes meeting twice per week, over six weeks. These courses are strongly encouraged if you or someone you know will be obtaining either a Private Pilot License or an Instrument Rating.

Private/Sport Practical Test Ground School – $300

For our Private Pilot Ground School, the schedule is as follows:
Tuesdays 6pm-8pm, Saturdays 9am-12pm

Tuesday, Oct 12 // Saturday, Oct 16
Tuesday, Oct 19 // Saturday, Oct 23
Tuesday, Nov 9 // Saturday, Nov 13
Tuesday, Nov 16 // Saturday, Nov 20
Tuesday, Nov 30 // Saturday, Dec 4
Tuesday, Dec 7 // Saturday, Dec 11

Tuesday evening classes will be virtual only, and can be attended via Google Meet. Saturday morning classes will have the option to attend in-person or virtually. The course will cost $300 total or $40 per class for drop-in attendance.

Instrument Rating Ground School – $300

For our IFR Ground School, the schedule is as follows:
Wednesdays 6pm-8pm, Sundays 9am-12pm

Wednesday, Oct 13 // Sunday, Oct 17
Wednesday, Oct 20 // Sunday, Oct 24
Wednesday, Nov 10 // Sunday, Nov 14
Wednesday, Nov 17 // Sunday, Nov 21
Wednesday, Dec 1 // Sunday, Dec 5
Wednesday, Dec 8 // Sunday, Dec 12

Wednesday evening classes will be virtual only, and can be attended via Google Meet. Sunday morning classes will have the option to attend in-person or virtually. The course will cost $300 total or $40 per class for drop-in attendance.

Sample Private/Sport Class Schedule

• Class 1: Introduction to pilot training, how to use FAA and other resources, aerodynamics, stalls and spin awareness
• Class 2: Aircraft systems, equipment malfunction, and emergency operations
• Class 3: Performance, limitations, and weight & balance
• Class 4: Airworthiness requirements, FAA regulations, and NTSB
• Class 5: Pilot qualifications, human factors, aeronautical decision making, and aeromedical factors
• Week 6: Airspace, ATC Communication, and collision & wake turbulence avoidance
• Class 7: Weather theory
• Class 8: Weather resources and application to local training and cross-country flight planning
• Class 9: Cross-country flight planning, pilotage, dead reckoning, and night operations
• Class 10: Navigation systems, radar services & final review

Cost is for the entire course, books and materials not included, or you may take individual classes for $40 per session. You can join the class at any point and continue through the next session, or simply drop in for sessions that interest you. To get the most out of the class, some homework and studying is required.

Please call or email the front desk to sign up for either in-person or virtual class at (408) 320-9614 or  info@aerodynamicaviation.com.

Ready to schedule a flight? Have a question? Give us a call!