Dauntless or Sheppard Air??
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Dauntless or Sheppard Air??
Hi all,
I am preparing to sit for the FAA ATP written exam & I have come across the following prep software - Dauntless & Sheppard Air.
Can anybody shed some light/experiences on any of the two please(I use MAC).
Most of the reviews I found are pretty old,
Cheers
I am preparing to sit for the FAA ATP written exam & I have come across the following prep software - Dauntless & Sheppard Air.
Can anybody shed some light/experiences on any of the two please(I use MAC).
Most of the reviews I found are pretty old,
Cheers
I'd never heard of Dauntless until this thread. Sheppard Air is plain, bare bones but it accomplishes it's mission - you pass the written. Hundreds, if not thousands, of US military pilots have used it to jump to the civilian world. If you don't have a background in the subject areas covered you'll need some more study for the oral.
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I used Dauntless for my ground instructor tests.
It was very good, not perfect. You have to choose which version you want at time of purchase: PC, iPad or Android. I would have liked a PC/iPad combo but they don't offer it. PC prices are a bit better and you can get a 3-pack deal. I went for the iPad as I valued the portability.
I like the fact that there's a study mode, which gives you the correct answer immediately, and a test mode that gives you the answers at the end, like the real test. The "question stack" thing is very nice, you can isolate questions you most often answer wrong vs ones you most often get right. I also liked the explanation that comes with each q/a, although the quality varied from simple PHAK quote to full walk-through with images.
Unfortunately there are a few mistakes (wrong answers), I was able to isolate them because I also had the Gleim book.
You should also look at these guys:
https://www.aviationexam.com/UI/Page...px?id=FAA_FULL
They also offer an iPad version, a friend of mine let me test it. Questions/answers/explanations are very similar, they don't have questions stacks. They are cheaper than Dauntless, $10 vs $30, but you only get access to the questions for 2 months. On Dauntless once you buy it, it's yours forever.
Overall I was satisfied with my choice of software+book, got 96 and 99 on the tests.
It was very good, not perfect. You have to choose which version you want at time of purchase: PC, iPad or Android. I would have liked a PC/iPad combo but they don't offer it. PC prices are a bit better and you can get a 3-pack deal. I went for the iPad as I valued the portability.
I like the fact that there's a study mode, which gives you the correct answer immediately, and a test mode that gives you the answers at the end, like the real test. The "question stack" thing is very nice, you can isolate questions you most often answer wrong vs ones you most often get right. I also liked the explanation that comes with each q/a, although the quality varied from simple PHAK quote to full walk-through with images.
Unfortunately there are a few mistakes (wrong answers), I was able to isolate them because I also had the Gleim book.
You should also look at these guys:
https://www.aviationexam.com/UI/Page...px?id=FAA_FULL
They also offer an iPad version, a friend of mine let me test it. Questions/answers/explanations are very similar, they don't have questions stacks. They are cheaper than Dauntless, $10 vs $30, but you only get access to the questions for 2 months. On Dauntless once you buy it, it's yours forever.
Overall I was satisfied with my choice of software+book, got 96 and 99 on the tests.
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Hi Shepard air was very good. Just follow the instructions and you will pass. Nothing fancy but it works. Dauntless Looks good but not much direction and when I had a problem all I got back was rude reply after rude reply. then it crashed 5 days before my date which sent me to Sheppard which was stressful because I had to change from part 135 to 121(Sheppard only does 121) but I'm so glad I did.
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Sheppard all the way. Used it for CFI,II
No gimmicks, no extensive reading. They tell you this on day 1.
You get a limited number of questions from an updated database, which is a major plus. Study that and you pass. Simple as that.
For detailed explanations you have an unlimited number of resources on your hand, and ofcourse your instructor.
If your goal is to PASS a written in minimum time with excellent customer service (even at 2 am), Sheppard is the way to go.
No gimmicks, no extensive reading. They tell you this on day 1.
You get a limited number of questions from an updated database, which is a major plus. Study that and you pass. Simple as that.
For detailed explanations you have an unlimited number of resources on your hand, and ofcourse your instructor.
If your goal is to PASS a written in minimum time with excellent customer service (even at 2 am), Sheppard is the way to go.
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I used Dauntless for my FAA ATP written and could not believe how many questions I had not seen before. I managed 97% but that was through using other resources (text books). I can not recommend Sheppard's as I have not used it but I can tell you from personal experience Dauntless is somewhat lacking.
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Sheppard Air. havent tried Dauntless. My wife used Sheppard and as the others have said, it keeps it basic and you pass! Before I heard of sheppard I used ASA. way too many questions, Gleim is ok, also a bit too much info. We both have passed our ATP's. Good luck to you!
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I just bought the dauntless today for the CFI / CFII and ATP. Thought for the price 90$ for all three its a deal. The interface seems fine as well. The feature that I like is that you can at least see the topics that you are not doing so well at and review that portion..
Try their Demo if you like it buy it..
Try their Demo if you like it buy it..
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I spent 4 days using Sheppard software last month and scored 100% in the ATP written.
I was, and still am, completely unfamiliar with the FAA "system" and haven't studied any ATP type subjects for over 20 years.
I was, and still am, completely unfamiliar with the FAA "system" and haven't studied any ATP type subjects for over 20 years.
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I've been using Dauntless since the days when it was a one man show (Adrian. the founder, was a CFI and a graduate student at Yale, IIRC).
A few years ago I needed to add something to my CFI where I had taken the written ~10 years ago, but it had expired. An email to them and I had the codes for the latest version. Great service, good product and lifetime actually means lifetime.
That said, I'm sure Sheppard is good too.
A few years ago I needed to add something to my CFI where I had taken the written ~10 years ago, but it had expired. An email to them and I had the codes for the latest version. Great service, good product and lifetime actually means lifetime.
That said, I'm sure Sheppard is good too.
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ATP written
Just before the Aug. 1 'deadline', three of us 'palz' sat the ATP written.
Of note is that NONE of us have any chance of becoming big-iron drivers and NONE of us NEEDED to sit this exam whatsoever.
Two used Shepherd Air, one (me) used a LOT of 'self study' via Gleim. One of the Shepherd Air guyz studied merely for 2 weeks prior to taking the written. (His head was in his iPAD practically all the time.) The other Shepherd Air guy had *also* been studying 'on his own' since February 2014 but figured he could get a highER-score by enlisting the help of SA.
With me so far? Good.
The results (all 1st. attempts)
=======================
Me (self-study slog via Gleim): 88%
SA (via iPAD for 2 weeks): 76%
SA (plus several months of self-study): 88%
The two SA guyz asked for, and got, their money back since they didn't score 90 or above. Me? I was happy to pass this thing but we were all happy to have 'bought ourselves' 2 years before we 'have' to take the practical (without having to sit the 'extra' ground class(es)). (Not sure any of us will, though.)
The very first question I saw was one I had NOT seen before. Gave me the heebie-jeebies, that's for sure. I used up ALL of the 180 minutes, of which 10 mins. was spent 'going over' questions that had kinda stumped me.
The other two guyz were done in approx. 2.5hrs.
FWIW, as we look back, our 'job' was to get the ATP written *out of the way* prior to Aug. 1. Period.
Yeah, yeah, everybody *likes* a 'good' score, but job #1 is job #1: sit it and pass it before Aug. 1 (when the extra-training kicks in.)
G.
Of note is that NONE of us have any chance of becoming big-iron drivers and NONE of us NEEDED to sit this exam whatsoever.
Two used Shepherd Air, one (me) used a LOT of 'self study' via Gleim. One of the Shepherd Air guyz studied merely for 2 weeks prior to taking the written. (His head was in his iPAD practically all the time.) The other Shepherd Air guy had *also* been studying 'on his own' since February 2014 but figured he could get a highER-score by enlisting the help of SA.
With me so far? Good.
The results (all 1st. attempts)
=======================
Me (self-study slog via Gleim): 88%
SA (via iPAD for 2 weeks): 76%
SA (plus several months of self-study): 88%
The two SA guyz asked for, and got, their money back since they didn't score 90 or above. Me? I was happy to pass this thing but we were all happy to have 'bought ourselves' 2 years before we 'have' to take the practical (without having to sit the 'extra' ground class(es)). (Not sure any of us will, though.)
The very first question I saw was one I had NOT seen before. Gave me the heebie-jeebies, that's for sure. I used up ALL of the 180 minutes, of which 10 mins. was spent 'going over' questions that had kinda stumped me.
The other two guyz were done in approx. 2.5hrs.
FWIW, as we look back, our 'job' was to get the ATP written *out of the way* prior to Aug. 1. Period.
Yeah, yeah, everybody *likes* a 'good' score, but job #1 is job #1: sit it and pass it before Aug. 1 (when the extra-training kicks in.)
G.
Last edited by oibal60; 7th Nov 2014 at 23:01.
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I used shep. Sat in the lobby about 1.5hrs before the written and practiced drawing the tables over and over. Walked in and got a 73%. Pass is a Pass. Had a family member get really sick where I was having to leave town so decided to just drive over and try it. Half the test is knowledge you already know, can figure out by looking at the problem, or take a very educated guess. The figures you draw as created by shep get you the rest. I was completely happy and out the door very quickly.
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I am using dauntless app for ATPL.
The issue is that when I select one topic Ex navigation charts and then want to select another topic in navigation suppose compass..it does not remove the previous topic....
Could you help out for same.....
The issue is that when I select one topic Ex navigation charts and then want to select another topic in navigation suppose compass..it does not remove the previous topic....
Could you help out for same.....
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Hi everyone,
Looking for some updated info on the classic Sheppard Air vs Dauntless for FAA ATPL prep. I used Dauntless previously and I like their materials. Moreover, it got me a high score in my previous exam and I did not come across any questions that I hadn't seen before.
Bottom line, is the Dauntless's ATPL prep as accurate these days or am I better off playing it safe with Sheppard?
Anyone that has used Dauntless lately for the ATPL written?
Looking for some updated info on the classic Sheppard Air vs Dauntless for FAA ATPL prep. I used Dauntless previously and I like their materials. Moreover, it got me a high score in my previous exam and I did not come across any questions that I hadn't seen before.
Bottom line, is the Dauntless's ATPL prep as accurate these days or am I better off playing it safe with Sheppard?
Anyone that has used Dauntless lately for the ATPL written?
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Hi everyone,
Looking for some updated info on the classic Sheppard Air vs Dauntless for FAA ATPL prep. I used Dauntless previously and I like their materials. Moreover, it got me a high score in my previous exam and I did not come across any questions that I hadn't seen before.
Bottom line, is the Dauntless's ATPL prep as accurate these days or am I better off playing it safe with Sheppard?
Anyone that has used Dauntless lately for the ATPL written?
Looking for some updated info on the classic Sheppard Air vs Dauntless for FAA ATPL prep. I used Dauntless previously and I like their materials. Moreover, it got me a high score in my previous exam and I did not come across any questions that I hadn't seen before.
Bottom line, is the Dauntless's ATPL prep as accurate these days or am I better off playing it safe with Sheppard?
Anyone that has used Dauntless lately for the ATPL written?
I used Sheppard Air and got 97 on my test just one month ago, I trully recommend it. It updates automatically when new questions are added to the FAA test.
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No Rude Dauntless For Me!
Hi Shepard air was very good. Just follow the instructions and you will pass. Nothing fancy but it works. Dauntless Looks good but not much direction and when I had a problem all I got back was rude reply after rude reply. then it crashed 5 days before my date which sent me to Sheppard which was stressful because I had to change from part 135 to 121(Sheppard only does 121) but I'm so glad I did.
I do however recommend Sheppard Air highly, as they are always courteous, helpful, and available 24/7 by e-mail and phone. Since thankfully avoiding Dauntless, I have instead taken 6 FAA written exams with Sheppard Air and have passed them all first try with the lowest score being 85; and that was for Instrument Rating Airplane. I have been very pleased with Sheppard Air in every respect.
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I can certainly concur with your assessment of Dauntless replies being "rude". Dauntless was VERY rude regarding my inquiry as I received more of a lecture on etiquette than I did a response to my questions. I initially contacted them because I was favorably impressed with their beautiful website, but thankfully I had not yet spent any money with this company. As a result of the Dauntless unacceptable attitude, I would NEVER recommend Dauntless to anyone. Moreover, they have no telephone support whatsoever and the only way to communicate with them is through a web portal. You cannot actually speak to anyone at Dauntless.
I do however recommend Sheppard Air highly, as they are always courteous, helpful, and available 24/7 by e-mail and phone. Since thankfully avoiding Dauntless, I have instead taken 6 FAA written exams with Sheppard Air and have passed them all first try with the lowest score being 85; and that was for Instrument Rating Airplane. I have been very pleased with Sheppard Air in every respect.
I do however recommend Sheppard Air highly, as they are always courteous, helpful, and available 24/7 by e-mail and phone. Since thankfully avoiding Dauntless, I have instead taken 6 FAA written exams with Sheppard Air and have passed them all first try with the lowest score being 85; and that was for Instrument Rating Airplane. I have been very pleased with Sheppard Air in every respect.
then I studied for the commercial written using Dauntless. I took the practice test 4 times and scored, 96%, 92%, 98% and 99%
then I went and took the exam and got an 80%!!!
I literally was sitting there taking the test thinking... am I in the right test? did I somehow get the wrong test?
The questions... whole groups of questions... were completely new to me... there were whole subjects I'd not ever covered at all in the Dauntless study..
It was literally the OPPOSITE of the sheppard experience... even after having studied the material so thoroughly and performing so well on the practice tests... I barely passed.
I wrote to the Dauntless folks letting them know and simply telling them what had happened... and I got the EXACT response you talk about here... a defensive and accusatory response telling me I must have done it wrong basically....
I'm going to copy below the note I wrote to them and their response for you to see:
My note:
Hi Tim,
I have now taken the Commercial written and and terribly conflicted with how to proceed. I had been planning a rave review on Dauntless and have been filming as I went through my study. I think I''d mentioned before that I''d studied with Sheppard for the IFR and got a 95%. Well this time I studied with Dauntless and felt like I was totally prepared. I took the practice test 4 times and scored, 96%, 92%, 98% and 99%... and made sure I covered every single category and test question thoroughly.
However, when I got in to the actual test, I immediately started having this awful feeling like I was taking the wrong test. There were not only lots of questions I''d never seen... in fact I''d say at least 80% of the questions I''d never seen... but there were whole categories of questions that were not well covered in my study. I managed an 80%, but that was hugely disappointing considering how well I was scoring on the Dauntless practice tests. When I got home, I looked up some of the test questions and confirmed that there was, in fact, nowhere in the Dauntless prep where those topics were covered.
I was working under the assumption that Dauntless, like Sheppard, contains the actual questions from the tests. I absolutely love the way Dauntless presents the information and feel like Dauntless is superior in every way... EXCEPT that the material you learn with Dauntless isn''t the ACTUAL material you will be tested on and I can''t in good conscience recommend to others that they use the Dauntless system after the experience I had with this particular exam.
I''m conflicted because I really do believe you have created a great system and I want you to do well as a business... I love your log book too... but I am Vlogging about my journey through commercial aviation the undeniable conclusion here is that, in its current form, Sheppard just has a better system for preparing you to pass your written.
I did record that video, talking about my thoughts on all of this... but I wanted to have a conversation with you before I put it out there... I wanted to ask you if you think Dauntless has any interest in updating the question bank to be more in line with the actual test questions the FAA is presenting. I think it''s fair for someone who scored as high as I did on 4 consecutive practice tests to expect better than an 80 on the real test and for there to be no major surprises when you really sit down in the room.
The difference was stark. When I took the IFR test after studying with Sheppard, I blew through it and had almost no surprises. This time, after studying with Dauntless, I literally kept checking to be sure I was taking the correct exam because so much of the material was brand new to me.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts
Cheers
----- THEIR RESPONSE ---------
Please give us specifics about the content you feel we haven''t covered.
Nobody publishes ''actual'' questions. Sheppard lies that they do. Our test banks (and those of our other competitors) are very similar; we both publish actual and ''realistic'' questions. The FAA has been very, very, very clear that they want people to fail who just ''learn the questions.'' The FAA regularly changes the wording, wrong answers, etc in order to make people who ''learn the questions'' fail. This is the correct and proper thing.
"I wanted to ask you if you think Dauntless has any interest in updating the question bank to be more in line with the actual test questions the FAA is presenting. "
This is over the top to put it mildly and, frankly, ridiculous. We had four or five other feedbacks from other users taking the comm airplane test in the last week all scored well (the lowest was a mid 80s). Either you saw a bunch of experimental/ungraded questions or you''re highly overpuffing the exact differences in wording and content that the FAA has intentionally put in in order to prevent "question learners" from succeeding.
There is no great mystery to the FAA commercial or any other learning content. Its published by the FAA along with sample questions and other materials. Our question matches that and we work with several flight schools every week to make sure we''re on course. We are.
Please be more specific when you say ''brand new material.'' honestly, i''m highly, highly skeptical of your report (we''ve heard this sort of tall tale several times before from users over the years - each and every time when we have investigated it, the student was underprepared and or exaggerating / rationalizing their performance.)
Not trying to be harsh on you, but your message, lacking substance, is a red flag for "not this **** again". Again, specifics matter - give us specifics, and we''ll be happy to look into it.
Respectfully
Tim
Nobody publishes ''actual'' questions. Sheppard lies that they do. Our test banks (and those of our other competitors) are very similar; we both publish actual and ''realistic'' questions. The FAA has been very, very, very clear that they want people to fail who just ''learn the questions.'' The FAA regularly changes the wording, wrong answers, etc in order to make people who ''learn the questions'' fail. This is the correct and proper thing.
"I wanted to ask you if you think Dauntless has any interest in updating the question bank to be more in line with the actual test questions the FAA is presenting. "
This is over the top to put it mildly and, frankly, ridiculous. We had four or five other feedbacks from other users taking the comm airplane test in the last week all scored well (the lowest was a mid 80s). Either you saw a bunch of experimental/ungraded questions or you''re highly overpuffing the exact differences in wording and content that the FAA has intentionally put in in order to prevent "question learners" from succeeding.
There is no great mystery to the FAA commercial or any other learning content. Its published by the FAA along with sample questions and other materials. Our question matches that and we work with several flight schools every week to make sure we''re on course. We are.
Please be more specific when you say ''brand new material.'' honestly, i''m highly, highly skeptical of your report (we''ve heard this sort of tall tale several times before from users over the years - each and every time when we have investigated it, the student was underprepared and or exaggerating / rationalizing their performance.)
Not trying to be harsh on you, but your message, lacking substance, is a red flag for "not this **** again". Again, specifics matter - give us specifics, and we''ll be happy to look into it.
Respectfully
Tim
I responded with some specifics on the wording and topics I was referring to, as closely as I could remember... giving them a few examples
Their response
Hi Russell,
We checked with the FAA. the two questions you mentioned were experimental questions the FAA was trialling from the emergency procedures section of the airplane flying handbook and were not graded on your exam.
Good luck
We checked with the FAA. the two questions you mentioned were experimental questions the FAA was trialling from the emergency procedures section of the airplane flying handbook and were not graded on your exam.
Good luck
----------------------------------------------------------------------
... which of course doesn't account for how I missed so many questions... enough to get an 80%
And keep in mind... I got 95% on the IFR written after studying with Sheppard... and the IFR written is WAY more difficult
So yeah... I wanted to love Dauntless.... but it's clear from this experience that no matter how well you learn the material they present, there's no guarantee that you will have covered the actual material that's going to be on the test
and it's also clear that they have a SERIOUS customer service issue and an inability to listen to their customers who are actually out there taking the test. With that attitude it doesn't surprise me that they are so out of touch with the ACTUAL material that's being presented on the commercial written.
