New private pilot

June 27, 2007 10:48 PM

New Private Pilot help: I'm trying to take the FAA written exam, I've been doing lots of self study, read plenty of books, taken and passed a dozen free online practice test, and am ready for the real thing but am now being told I need some sort of "ground school endorsment"....?

Am I going to have to end up paying some "online ground school" $100 - $300 now? I assume they are the cheapest place to get this "endorsement" This is starting to really look like a money making scam between these flight schools. Is it going to be like this all throughout the process?

posted by nintendo to Education (8 answers total)

Learning to fly is a process that generally integrates theory (ground school) with supervised practical skills development (instructor led flight practice) leading to measured solo flight practices (cross country, etc.) leading to check rides and licensure. The endorsement process says to the FAA that you've worked with a licensed instructor who believes that you actually have enough knowledge to pass the exam level you are taking, and the judgement and practical experience to apply it in practical situations.

The object of the endorsement process is to spread the responsibility of pilot certification out to the instructor base, who should best be able to come to know private pilot candidates during training, and be able to dissuade those who could reasonably be considered "wrong" in any number of ways for licensure. Having taken my training at an FBO where one of the 9/11 hijackers took his, after 9/11, I've got to say the endorsement process isn't all that rigourous, but it's better than nothing, and it's a large part of the licensing process now, in terms of QA. If you don't want to be sharing airspace and taxiways with idiots (or worse), comply yourself with the endorsement process, and work for improved training requirements.
posted by paulsc at 11:22 PM on June 27, 2007 [1 favorite]

Have you started flying? In other words, do you have a CFI? Every CFI I know is also a ground instructor, so your CFI can probably sign you off for the written. Go with what your CFI tells you.

If you're not flying yet and don't have a CFI, why bother with the written? Save your money for actual flight!

Really, in the scheme of flying, the written exam is not worth bothering with until you actually have to take it. (Of course you need the actual knowledge, but if you're doing well on the practice tests you're probably OK.)
posted by phliar at 11:39 PM on June 27, 2007

I only got four lessons in before abandoning my training because of stuff like this. There were lots of unexpected "little" expenses, which along with the big expected expenses were just too much for my budget.
posted by letitrain at 12:12 AM on June 28, 2007

Your flight instructor should sign the back of your log book saying that he thinks he's given you adequate ground (theory) training. That's all that means.

Agreed, though, that if you haven't actually flown yet you're wasting your money taking the written test. It's only valid for a year and you need it to take the practical test, so it's possible you could be taking it again.
posted by backseatpilot at 4:15 AM on June 28, 2007

If you are balking at a measly $100 for ground school, you might want to look more closely into the costs of flight training. You are going to be spending a minimum of $100 and probably more per hour for a plane and instructor. You can expect to spend between $5000 and $10,000 to get a private license. Before you go any farther I suggest you get your third class medical exam. No sense spending all that money and find out you won't be qualified to fly solo.
posted by JackFlash at 8:54 AM on June 28, 2007

Check 14 CFR Part 61:

Sec. 61.35 Knowledge test: Prerequisites and passing grades.

(a) An applicant for a knowledge test must have:
(1) Received an endorsement, if required by this part, from an authorized instructor certifying that the applicant accomplished the appropriate ground-training or a home-study course required by this part for the certificate or rating sought and is prepared for the knowledge test;
posted by dcjd at 9:29 AM on June 28, 2007

In my case, I did a lot of self-study for the knowledge test. My instructor knew this, and felt comfortable signing me off to take the test.

(I will add to the above comments and say that I took the knowledge test well into my flight training though. Honestly its not really a big part of getting your pilot's certificate. Can you still buy the ASA books with all of the possible questions and answers?)
posted by dcjd at 9:33 AM on June 28, 2007

Some written preparation software packages actually issue a 'sign-off' to you once you complete the requirements which allows you to take the FAA written.

The only one I am familiar with is the Gleim, which I used successfully for my written exam. However, I also had an endorsement from an instructor if I remember correctly so I didn't use the feature.
This package is only 50 dollars so if you're not ready to join a flight school yet but want to study and pass the written in advance you should look into it.


Check it out here:

http://www.gleim.com/products/productdetails.php?proID=5548
posted by spacefire at 11:00 AM on June 28, 2007