Groundschool classes or self study?
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: North America
Age: 64
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Study for the PPL here on PPRune.............
Interesting display of “pilot personality types” here; one suggests group study another responds that is waste of time can/rather do it on my own. I flew single pilot for a decade including multi-engine IFR without an autopilot. It wasn’t until I had a year or so in the right seat of a business jet and gone through several initial/recurrent courses put on by major training centers I eventually became convinced that a crew of two does have the potential to perform better together than either one of the pilots could as individuals.
In my present flying position I wouldn’t think of flying without another pilot.
The group studies have the potential of providing you with a far superior learning environment than simply studying by yourself. Under ideal conditions you will be learning at the leadership of a motivated, enthusiastic, experienced instructor who has a commanding grasp of the material and the ability and interest to guide the students learning process.
But no, it is not mandatory to be in a classroom to gain the education necessary to pass your ppl written; you can do that on your own (unless classroom attendance is an artificial rule set by some governmental authority).
If money is a consideration, you have the time and can find a good class; then take the class. If any one of those variables are not met then study for it on your own. You can always post your questions here on PPRUNE and benefit from the resulting discussion for free…………
Respectfully,
Northbeach
In my present flying position I wouldn’t think of flying without another pilot.
The group studies have the potential of providing you with a far superior learning environment than simply studying by yourself. Under ideal conditions you will be learning at the leadership of a motivated, enthusiastic, experienced instructor who has a commanding grasp of the material and the ability and interest to guide the students learning process.
But no, it is not mandatory to be in a classroom to gain the education necessary to pass your ppl written; you can do that on your own (unless classroom attendance is an artificial rule set by some governmental authority).
If money is a consideration, you have the time and can find a good class; then take the class. If any one of those variables are not met then study for it on your own. You can always post your questions here on PPRUNE and benefit from the resulting discussion for free…………
Respectfully,
Northbeach
Join Date: May 2008
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Something else that has just occured to me is the all those judgement-calls, and what-if scenarios when presented with a set of circumstance. There are often many answers beyond the single thread presented by an author, and it is useful to see how others respond and find out why. Although the industry is drowning in a sea of regulations, exchanging real experiences is the kind of thing that no textbook can provide....
hugel
hugel
Hovering AND talking
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another responds that is waste of time can/rather do it on my own.
My point is that there are a number of people stating that studying in a classroom IS beneficial. I disagree. It MAY be beneficial for SOME. It is not a fact that it IS a better learning tool. And that's another interesting pilot-personality factor .... stating an opinion as fact!
From my point of view, I would not have found it that helpful as I believe people learn at different speeds and have differing difficulties in different subjects. Any classroom environment will be pulled down to the standard of the worst student.
Self-study requires its own skills and disciplines but having self-studied for a qualification far hard than ATPL theory, I know best to which method I am suited. Maybe not for everyone, but definitely for some!
Cheers
Whirls
Join Date: Mar 2006
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From personal experience, especially as I'm studying for the ATPL at the moment, I find a classroom environment benefitial in the sense it keeps you moving forward at a good pace and it helps with being in a "teaching environment". On the other hand, I need time to digest what I read and also a quiet room, this is not something that a classroom can provide. I've spent ages learning Bristol's material and I'm sure that the time I've spent will benefit me when it comes to the brush-up.
As the original poster has commented about flying with another pilot, I agree, this is a very usual way of working. Spreading the work load, enjoying the flight more, feeling more relaxed and potentially learn more from each other!
But flying solo builds one's confidence in his/her ability.
As the original poster has commented about flying with another pilot, I agree, this is a very usual way of working. Spreading the work load, enjoying the flight more, feeling more relaxed and potentially learn more from each other!
But flying solo builds one's confidence in his/her ability.
Last edited by Cirrus_Clouds; 17th Feb 2010 at 09:23.
