I’m about to start school again.  This time, it’s to continue improving my skills as a pilot and gain the ability to fly in the clouds.  Living in the Northwest, this is still optional, but for what I eventually want to do, it’s a requirement; as the local weather tends to almost always be overcast.  One thing that I realized would have helped me when I was going for my private pilots license was to get my ground school out of the way before getting in the cockpit.  The reason for this is that since I work full time, I don’t have the attention span to fly and then study.  For me, it increased the length of time I took to get my license and the amount of money I eventually paid.  This is a breakdown of some of the different instrument ground school options I found.

The Different Instrument Ground School Options

Aviation Seminars

For just $429 prepaid you get top quality ground instruction, on-line course manual (printed version available), immediate updates on FAA computer exam questions, in-person instruction which teaches content first, then answers test questions, personal attention in small groups – your questions get answered. 95% pass their test the first time. If you don’t pass, re-attend the next class in your area, for free. If you still don’t pass, get a 100% refund. After passing your exam, you may re-attend for review purposes without cost within 1 year of your original attendance. You can also re-attend for free within 1 year of your original attendance for a review if you pass the exam.

This is a weekend instrument ground school course (Class runs Saturday 8:00-6:00 and Sunday from 8:00-4:00) for those looking to get their instrument rating done in a hurry.  The nice thing about it is how they break everything down and go over the sections one by one.  They guarantee you will pass your exam or your money back.

• Price: $429
• Time: 2 days
• Guarantee: “If you don’t pass, re-attend the next class in your area, for free. If you still don’t pass, get a 100% refund.”
• Bonus: After passing your exam, you may re-attend for review purposes without cost within 1 year of your original attendance. You can also re-attend for free within 1 year of your original attendance for a review if you pass the exam.
• Next Course: Portland, OR (Gorge Winds Aviation) Dec 12-13 2015 Instrument/CFII
• Specials: Early Bird Special: Signup for a test prep class scheduled between January 1, 2016 and January 31, 2016 and save $50 (Class price will be just $379). Enter Coupon Code “EARLYBIRD2015” into the Special Notes/Comments Area of the Sign-up Page.

Portland Community College – AVS130

Portland Community College has an Aviation Science department and the instrument ground school class I’d need to take is AVS 130.  They don’t seem to be offering it this Fall/Winter, so it’s probably not going to happen.

• Price: $364+ (4 credits @ $91 per credit = $364, unknown cost of books and supplies.)
• Time:  An entire term (10 weeks), probably 3-4 hours a week
• Guarantee: None (as far as I know)
• Bonus: None
• Next Course: ???
• Specials: None

Sporty’s Pilot Shop

Sporty’s university-level Complete Instrument Rating Course goes far beyond test prep. We go outside the textbook to unlock the secrets of the IFR system, so you can be a safe, smooth and proficient pilot. Detailed video segments cover both glass cockpits and analog gauges.

The Sporty’s Advantage

• More in-flight video
• More 3D animations
• More real world flying tips
• More complete training
• No talking heads
• No classroom lectures
• No boring textbooks
• Nothing extra to buy

Plus Sporty’s Triple Guarantee – pass all three tests (written, oral and flight) required to earn your instrument rating or we’ll give you your money back.

This is an online/DVD instrument ground school course put on by the people at Sporty’s Pilot Shop.

• Price: $199 (Instrument Online) – $375 (Deluxe Instrument Online/DVD) – $449 (Sporty’s Academy Instrument Rating Ground School, Ohio)
• Time: Until ready (Online/DVD), 3 days (Ohio)
• Guarantee: “Plus Sporty’s Triple Guarantee – pass all three tests (written, oral and flight) required to earn your instrument rating or we’ll give you your money back.”
• Bonus: Can earn FAA Pilot Proficiency Program (WINGS) credit when you complete the course. The credit is automatically awarded when you watch all the videos and complete two practice tests with passing scores.
• Next Course: N/A
• Specials: None

Kings Schools

You´ll learn from your complete and always current King Schools Instrument Rating Ground School & Test Prep Course all the subject areas that you need to know in order to pass your FAA Instrument Rating knowledge test and become a safe & smart pilot.

KING thoroughly covers the subject areas in a fun and easy to understand presentation with short, bite-sized interactive lessons

Your learning is reinforced by answering actual FAA Instrument Rating test questions that follow each segment of instruction.

You can even take unlimited practice tests from the entire test question bank!

This is an online/DVD instrument ground school course put on by the people at Kings Schools.

• Price: $279 (Written Only), $398 (Written and Checkride & Get 4 FREE Pilot Skills Courses), $579 (Get It All – Complete package, Written, Checkride + Other gear)
• Time: Until ready (Online/DVD)
• Guarantee: “Money-Back Triple Guarantee: If not completely satisfied with the course, return it within 30 days for a prompt, friendly refund.  Your course will be up-to-date with the latest FAA knowledge requirements.  If you fail your FAA test within one year of purchase, get your money back AND you keep the course!”

• Bonus: None
• Next Course: N/A
• Specials: None

Hillsboro Aero Academy

A local option in the Portland area with two locations of Hillsboro or Troutdale.  This school does ground school on an individual basis, so your time is spent one-on-one between you and your instructor.  The minimums for instrument ground time is 15 hours which is quoted at $795, though based on the quote sheet for most who finish, this number can approach 62 hours, or $3,286 (ouch!).

The major benefit here is that you have the in-person instruction.  That 62 hours is probably for those students who don’t perform any studying of their own and instead plan on getting all knowledge from the instructor.  Being that I will be doing a lot of studying on my own, we’ll just put this number at 20.

• Price: $795 – $3,286
• Time: Until ready (in-person)
• Guarantee: None
• Bonus: None
• Next Course: Contact an instructor
• Specials: None

What I Think

So far, the most promising instrument ground school option is the most expensive at $429.  I see on their site, that I could make this $379 if I catch a daily deal.  This is hands on and only a two day course with a lot of guarantees.  Otherwise I’m looking at an online course and they have a similar guarantee, so I’d probably go with Sporty’s because Kings School products seem old and dated, even if the content is the newest.  I’ll let you know my decision soon.

If you have any input on this topic, please share your thoughts!