Invest in Ground School. It might save your life one day.



I decided to write this article after reading a quote from a student Pilot in a forum who stated: “Ground School is a waste of time. The money you’ll save can get you a few more hours flying”. A deeply worrying attitude.



It’s a sobering thought that 73% of General Aviation accidents are caused by a direct failure to apply some element of Ground School (source AAIB). I understand that reading a book with an average of 400 pages on material that may or may not be tested in an exam is hard work. “Why should I waste my time reading all of that when I might not even be tested on it ”? some of you may ask. Therein lies the problem. Just because you might not be tested on it, doesn’t mean it’s not relevant. The authorities cannot test everything otherwise the exams would be extremely long. 

How do we combat this problem in our industry that ground school is boring and irrelevant?

How do we stop the promotion of would be Pilots passing exams by merely learning answers to questions through apps and websites? We do it by getting an education.

 Every student has a fundamental right to a first class education when it comes to learning how to fly an Aeroplane or Helicopter. A good ground school that leads to success in PPL and ATPL Exams is potentially a life saver. Why? Because a good ground school will be built not just on the CAA’s syllabus, but on safety case studies as well as promotion of how the theoretical meets the practical. There is no substitute for having a team of professionals talk about why one shouldn’t use high bank angles at low airspeed or why one must necessarily use more run way on take-off and landing when it’s warmer than usual outside. 



So do you read all 400 pages multiplied by 9 text books; an average of 3,600 pages and hope for the best in the exams then? A far more sensible way of doing it is to attend a formal class, preferably delivered by professionals who are subject matter experts. 3,600 pages are very intelligently streamlined into bite sized and very palatable chunks, making the learning process far simpler and enjoyable.



“Yeah yeah Adam, you’re only saying this because The Great Circle runs a course that does all these wonderful things”. Absolutely. I make no apology whatsoever for writing an article that gives meaningful insight into a worrying safety related training issue, whilst simultaneously promoting one of our core business services that addresses the issue and provides a solution. After all, Sainsbury's or Tesco don't apologise for promoting the fruit they sell with a view to making you healthier. We're passionate, we're knowledgeable and we can help you be the best you should aspire to be! Flying is one of the most amazing things a person can do, it's also very unforgiving for those that are not prepared as well as they should be.



Our staff have worked extremely hard to get us where we are today. It’s people that make a difference to your training and ultimately your life. Those people should be at the top of their game both academically and practically. It’s your money. It's your life. Make sure you’re working with the right people, moreover, make sure they're working for you.



As always, fly safely and read read read, even when you’ve passed all your exams. That’s what makes an extraordinary pilot compared to an ordinary one. Which one do you want to be?



Adam Berrington

PPL Ground School & Exams Click here.