Gold Seal Ground School

When you are preparing for an FAA written exam or the oral exam on your check ride, the ground school that you select can make all the difference.

And you have many options from which to choose.

Private Pilot: Of all the ground schools currently available, I recommend that my students use Gold Seal because it teaches you how to think like a pilot, not just pass the written. Students who use it are better prepared in the airplane, which saves you money and makes training smoother. It prepares you not just for your check ride, but real-world flying as well.

Instrument and Commercial Pilot: Gold Seal also offers a ground school for the instrument rating and commercial pilot certificate. Gold Seal isn’t just about passing the test — it’s about becoming a safer, more capable pilot. It builds judgment and real-world understanding that prepares you for actual instrument flying and professional-level skills.

Sheppard Air

Use Sheppard Air because it gives you FAA-style, well-explained questions and targeted practice that builds confidence and helps you pass your knowledge exam the first time. Sheppard Air is not used to replace Ground School, but simply an extra tool for you to use to prepare for your knowledge exams. For me to sign off for your knowledge exam, I need proof of at least three 90% scores or higher on practice exams.

Simulator Training

Simulator training is a powerful way to learn faster and fly more confidently—whether the time is FAA-approved or not. It allows you to practice procedures, avionics, and decision-making in a low-stress environment without the cost of the aircraft. Simulator sessions improve instrument scan, cockpit flow, and emergency readiness, helping you get more value from every hour in the airplane. The focus isn’t just logging time—it’s building real skills that transfer directly to real-world flying.

My advice for you is to purchase MSFS (Microsoft Flight Simulator) with the basics of rudder pedals, yoke, and throttle combo, which can be paired with your Xbox or computer. Although this isn't an approved simulator, what you are getting out of it is still helpful. If you have access to an approved flight simulator, by all means use it. This will allow you to become efficient in instrument procedures, approaches, and allow for an easy transition to the aircraft.