The number 1 way to ensure your success in becoming a pilot is by properly managing your time & money
And the easiest way to properly manage your time & money is by doing ground school before it's too late and ACTUALLY understanding the material
5 years ago I saw NO ONE mentoring unsuspecting students on the traps in flight training that was costing them $1000s.
This is why I created the Part Time Pilot Online Ground School.
The ground school was created with these ideas at the heart of our mission statement:
- Mentoring students from start to finish
- Providing content that saves time & money & provides a deep understanding
How does Part Time Pilot compare to other Online Ground Schools?
I went to the website of each of the Top 8 Online Ground Schools and gathered ALL the relevant information a student pilot like you needs to make an informed decision.
Then, I lined up all 8 and compared them in a single table so that you could easily decide which one is best for you!
What do You Need for Flight Training
There are a lot of products out their for pilots and a lot of opinions on what you NEED to have as a student pilot. Unfortunately, a lot of it is at the expense of the student pilot. There are some things that you really really don't need, some things that hinder your flight training and some things that aren't necessary but make things much easier. Be cautious about buying things from flight schools. Flight schools generally offer you a package of books and materials with your flight training. While this is convenient, it is often at a marked up price. So what is it that you actually need and how much should it cost? Let's discuss exactly what do you need for flight training:
Equipment for Ground School
The best part about the Part Time Pilot Online Ground School is that we don't require you to purchase a bunch of books or material. Almost all the content you need is contained within your membership and if it is not, we will give you links to where you can access it 100% for free.
However, there are just a few things that you will need regardless of what ground school you choose. Be aware that most in person ground schools and even some online ground schools will require that you purchase a set of books along with their course. If you wish to go with a ground school that does this, I advise you to look online for a used version of the book rather than buying straight from the club or school.
However, make sure the book has been updated with new FAA Written exam questions that were just added in the spring of 2023. As of writing this I know that now many test prep sites have done this update. At Part Time Pilot we have totally revamped our quizzes and practice tests with these new questions and even held a live lesson on what these questions were. So in summary, if you stick with Part Time Pilot for your ground studies we have you covered. But what else will you need for flight training?
#1. The FAR/AIM
Technically you do not need to purchase this. But we recommend you get a copy and start to get familiar with looking up regulations and information. We definitely recommend having a copy handy for your Private Pilot Checkride. If you want to wait until then, no worries. We have all the rules and regulations written out in plain English inside of our lessons. And, if you do ever want to look up the specific rule you can do so for free by clicking here.
If you want a copy, you can get one on amazon here:
#2. Plotter Tool
You will need a plotter tool and we can teach you how to use it (see this YouTube video). The Plotter tool is used to measure courses and distances off sectional, terminal area and FAA figures. I recommend the plotter tool with the spinning wheel that you can find for a good price here.
#3. E6B Flight Computer
You will also need an E6B Flight Computer. A lot of people ask me if it is worth it to get an electronic E6B and my answer to them is.... maybe. Sure they compute things with great accuracy and quickly but what happens if it dies? or the batteries run out and you don’t remember how to use the Paper E6B? Both have a bit of a learning curve so why not go with the cheap version that won't die on you. They have durable metal options and paper/cardboard options. Honestly, my paper version has lasted me 7 years and still going strong but both can be found below:
That's it! That is the minimum that you need to complete ground school. With that said I recommend that you also get an AFD/Chart Supplement, Sectional Chart and Terminal Area Chart for the area that you plan to conduct flight training in. This will help you get the hang of using charts and deciphering the symbols and abbreviations of the charts and chart supplements.
You can find sectionals and AFD/Chart Supplements from MyPilotStore below:
Sectional Charts
Oh and be sure to click the button below to download a pdf containing the images and figures used the FAA written tests.
Images & Figures for Practice Tests Download
Equipment for Flight Training
There are a lot of products out there for pilots and a lot that can make your life easier as a pilot. But as a student pilot you MUST ask yourself "Is this the best thing for my learning?". For a lot of these products, the answer is no. So why waste your time and money purchasing an expensive product that will only hinder your growth as a student pilot? For these items, I recommend waiting for certain milestones to purchase them. Once you reach the milestone you can reward yourself with a gift. This way you have learned the hard way and become a better pilot and now have the luxury of your new product. Here is what you ABSOLUTELY need:
#1. Log Book
You will 100% no buts about it need a log book. It is required. And you need to log your flights and keep a tidy and up to date log book. This is proof that you have met requirements for flight hours in certain conditions. Most log books are pretty standard. There isn't much variation and I think that is because the FAA and flight examiners like to have the same format to make it easy to read and find the info they need. ASA has the logbook I use. It is sturdy with a hard cover and even comes in several colors if you click the link below and poke around Amazon:
#2. Kneeboard
You will 100% need a kneeboard. Kneeboards help you manage your maps, notes, iPad, checklists, pens, pencils, flight computer, plotter while in the small cockpit of an aircraft. It straps to your knee to keep it from moving and spilling its contents. The ASA standard all black tri-fold kneeboard below is a cheap and good option that will get the job done. I have seen people spice there kneeboard up with patches stitched to the outside fabric:
Another option for those with an iPad or tablet that is a bit more expensive but a great product can be found below. The thing I like about this personally is that it's a tri-fold and allows me a place to put my checklists, maps, plotter, e6b, etc.. Other iPad kneeboards simply just strap your iPad to your knee but have no tri-fold for the rest of your equipment:
#3. Flight Bag
I guess you could make the case that this is not required and you could simply walk to the airport with your kneeboard and logbook and go fly. However, I do not recommend it. I choose to bring certain things for every single flight that needs some sort of bag to be stored in. Things like water, a protein bar, a flashlight, a jacket, first aid kid, kneeboard, logbook, phone, GPS, etc.. Some of these things we will get to later but you are going to need something to carry all these. You can use a standard backpack. There is no rule that says you can't. If saving money is your number 1 goal then I would recommend that. If not, it is cool to have a custom flight bag that says "That's right, I'm a pilot".
This Simple Flyer bag is durable, affordable, functional and compact. It was my first bag and I only updated it because I was gifted a leather one when I got my license. But this bag is great:
And if you want to be a bit more stylish and spend a bit more money you can go with something like the Augus Business Travel Bag below. For the price this stylish bag cannot be beat:
#4. Pilot Flash Light
You will 100% need a flash light when you start your flight training because you are required a specific number of hours flown at night. On top of this, you will need a SPECIFIC type of flash light that has both white and red light options. The red light is to be used when reading charts, checklists and other items inside the cockpit. There is even a way to make your phone and iPad use red light (triple click the off/on button). The reason you use red light is to not cause temporary blindness with the white light. If you use white light to read something in the cockpit and then turn it off you will notice you can't see much in the darkness outside your cockpit. This can last for up to 30 minutes. Below is a great and cheap option for a flash light with both red and white light options. Make sure to bring extra batteries in your flight bag!
#5. Sunglasses
You will 100% need sunglasses especially if you have sensitive eyes. The sun can be a big pain when trying to spot traffic or terrain. There are obviously a ton of brands and everyone has their style but it is recommended that pilots use non-polarized sunglasses so that they are able to see their instrument panel without glares. Here is a pair of non-polarized aviators that are only $19.99:
#6. Watch or Timer
You need a way to keep precise time. Timing is critical in cross-country flights because it allows you to have a good idea of what fuel you have burned as well as your ground speed and helping you determine checkpoints. A lot of aircraft have timers built in but into the cockpit but it is always a good idea to have your own. You could use a timer on your phone or laptop but I don't like this. I find a watch the easiest. I have an Apple watch that works beautifully but if you don't want to spend on an apple watch there are plenty of great options out there. Here is a waterproof digital watch with timer that you can choose in one of several colors for only $16! It works great and comes recommended from several of our students:
If you are like me and think watches are super cool and want to do some digging at some watched with some really cool features I recommend you take a look at the one below. It's a Timex that has a timer, is waterproof, can track the tides, has a compass, has a thermometer and a night light:
Other Equipment for Flight Training
As I said above there is a LOT a pilot can buy that can seem helpful in the cockpit. Truth is a lot of it can hinder your learning as a student pilot. However, there are some items that are super super helpful and that I recommend my students get once they have learned to fly without them:
#1. iPad or Tablet with Foreflight or charting software
An iPad with an electronic flight bag such as Foreflight makes life MUCH easier. But I only recommend my students purchase these until they have at least completed a solo cross-country flight without them. Being able to navigate cross-country with no GPS, no iPad and no electronic charts is an invaluable skill. Plus, your examiner on your checkride will make sure you know how to fly without your iPad.
But once you reach that level I highly recommend getting an iPad and Foreflight membership (Foreflight currently only works with Apple products). Then, get a portable GPS that connects to your iPad via Bluetooth (see next product) and you will be able to see your aircraft on top of the charts and moving along the charts inside Foreflight and on your planned Foreflight route. I recommend getting one of the larger iPads so that it is easiest to see. Something like this 9.7" version can be found refurbished on Amazon:
#2. Bluetooth GPS
If the aircraft you're flying in doesn't have a GPS then you can pair your iPad over bluetooth with a portable GPS. Foreflight will recognize it and place your location on top of the charts. The absolute BEST portable bluetooth GPS is the super small and light-weight Dual Electronics GPS. You can place it right on your dashboard. The battery is rechargeable and lasts almost 9 hours! And my favorite part is that it works perfect in high heat. Flying in southern California and placing this thing in the direct sunlight on top of the dash I was a little worried about the heat. But I have not once ever had an issue, great product!
#3. Headset
I didn't put this on the required list because most flight schools and clubs have them to borrow or rent. But let's be honest it would be nice to have your own. Headset prices range from $150 to $2000 or more and the sounds quality varies usually with the price. But this does not mean you need to buy $1000 headset to be able to hear anything. In fact, the brand below has great audio and comes recommended from Part Time Pilot for those trying to save some money (see bottom of this page on how to get 15% off):
But if you are someone that just have to have the best products regardless of money you simply cannot go wrong with a pair of Bose headsets. I recently just upgraded to the noise cancelling Bose and I love them:
#4. Pilot's Knife
Definitely not required but handy to have in an emergency. This knife below has a seatbelt cutter as well as a windshield breaker in case you get stuck in an aircraft that's on fire or sinking:
#5. Emergency/First Aid Kit
For cross-country trips it is smart to bring a small, compact first aid kit as well as some other supplies such as water, a jacket, a NASA blanket, protein bars, etc.. Here is a great and compact first aid kit that you can stuff in your flight bag to have at all times:
Exclusive Deals for Part Time Piloters
One of the ways that Part Time Pilot can help you save money is by trying to get you all some discount codes for the products I really like and believe in. As I continue to grow this list, I will update it with more and more discounts on aviation products.
The list currently includes items that aren't necessarily required for flight training but will help aid you in some of the more taxing and difficult aspects of flight training. And we have discounts codes for them for the simple reason that I have tried and tested these products myself. I receive no commission for these sales. I simply liked them so much I reached out and asked if our students could get a discount. The list includes; aviation radio simulators, headsets, flight uniforms and digital logbooks:
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