Learning to fly is expensive. High Flight Aviation is trying to take the initial sting out of your desire to become a pilot by offering a completely free ground school for up and coming pilots. This school is absolutely free. There is no catch, there is no fine print. In addition to being free, we also provide a set of books for the course as well as a logbook. At the conclusion of the 3-day Private Pilot Ground School, you will receive an endorsement to take the FAA Written Test for Private Pilot.
This 3-Day course will be held at the Coeur d’Alene Airport (COE) from 26-28 January 2024. The course runs from 0800-1700 (8-5) all three days. You only need to bring your brain, maybe some note paper, and a willingness to learn.
Course Overview
This 3-Day, weekend accelerated ground school is a fast-paced and intense dive into the initial pilot certification process. Over the course of these three days, you will be presented with in-depth subjects that are part of the FAA Private Pilot Written test. These include, but are not limited to:
- Aerodynamics
- FAA Regulations
- Airspace
- Aircraft Systems
- Communications
- Weather Theory
- Weather Briefings and Reports
- Aeromedical Factors
- Airport Operations
- …and much, much more.
Space is limited to 20 students. Each student will be provided with both the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK), Airplane Flying Handbook (AFH), as well as a logbook to get you started with your training.
This free course, courtesy of High Flight Aviation is taught by our Chief Instructor, Shane Terpstra. Shane has over 30 years of flying experience and over a a dozen years of instruction experience. Shane regularly travels between San Diego and Coeur d’Alene, providing training, stage checks, and ground schools to HFA clients. Shane is an ATP-Rated pilot in Mutli and Single-Engine aircraft (both land and sea). Shane has over 20 years experience with the Civil Air Patrol, a United States Air Force Auxiliary, as an Incident Commander, Ground Team Leader, and Check pilot. Shane served as the Director of Emergency Services for the State of California and is a former airline Captain. Shane has nearly 10,000 hours of student training alone and his knowledge, humor, and presentation skills will ensure your ground school is one to be remembered.
Aeronautical Requirements
The FAA regulations for a Private Pilot Certificate are based on FAR 61.81-61.95 (Student Pilots) and 61.102-61.118 (Private Pilot), which governs the Private Pilot Certificate. These regulations include several basic requirements that need to be met at different points of the training. Below is are the requirements for the Private Pilot Certificate.
- Basic Requirements
- Be at least 16 years of age – Student Pilot(61.83(a)).
- Be at least 17 years of age – Private Pilot (61.103(a)).
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements due to medical reasons, then the Administrator may place such operating limitations on that applicant’s pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft. (61.83(c) and 61.103(c)).
- Pass the required knowledge (aka written) test (61.103(e)).
- Pass the practical (aka Check Ride) test (61.103(h)).
- Aeronautical Requirements
- Minimum of 40 hours of flight time (National Average is 60-80, HFA’s average is 55) per 61.109 to include –
- 3 Hours of Cross Country Training (61.109(a)(1));
- 3 Hours of Night Training (61.109(a)(2));
- One cross-country flight of over 100 nm total distance (61.109(a)(2)(i));
- 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (61.109(a)(2)(ii));
- 3 hours of flight training solely by reference to instruments (61.109(a)(3));
- 3 hours of flight training within the 2 months preceding the practical test (61.109(a)(4));
- 10 hours of solo flight time consisting of –
- 5 hours of solo cross-country (61.109(a)(5)(i));
- One solo cross-country of at least 150 nm with landings at three points (61.109(a)(5)(ii));
- Three takeoffs and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower (61.109(a)(5)(iii)).
OK, OK, How do I register?
Simple, fill out the below registration form and you will be sent a confirmation and notice prior to the course.
[rtec-registration-form event=5893]