What Does Online Ground School Cover?

Today, online ground school makes starting on the path to an aviation career more accessible than ever, especially for aspiring pilots who may not live in close proximity to a physical flight school.

On the other hand, while online flight school may help students learn the basics and even prepare for their FAA Knowledge Exams, these programs aren’t a replacement for real-world flight training. With a better understanding of what ground school covers (as well as what it doesn’t cover), aspiring aviators can be better prepared as they take the next steps in their professional journeys.

What Ground School Is (and What It Is Not)

Specifically, ground school refers to the academic or knowledge-based component of pilot training. It can be helpful to think of it as the “classroom” aspect of becoming a pilot.

The primary goal of ground school is to build the foundational knowledge every pilot needs to safely understand, operate, and make decisions in an aircraft. That foundation covers subjects such as:

Aerodynamics and aircraft systems
FAA regulations
Navigation and flight planning
Human factors

Of course, ground school cannot replicate or replace physical flight hours, guidance from a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI), or practical checkrides. In this sense, ground school can be an important component of an aviator’s formal education, but on its own, it’s not enough to become a pilot.

What an Online Ground School Actually Covers

So, what does ground school cover? If you’re thinking about enrolling in an online ground school, you’ll want to know what to expect from the curriculum.

Any reputable online ground school, including MzeroA Online Ground School, will cover all aspects of FAA 14 CFR Part 61.105 (everything the FAA wants pilots to know before taking the written knowledge test).

Below, you can read more about each component that should be covered in an online ground school program as it relates to FAA exam requirements.

Aerodynamics and the Principles of Flight

Understanding the aerodynamics of an airplane has real-world flight deck relevance and matters not just for the sake of passing the FAA Knowledge Test. In an online ground school program, for example, students can expect to learn about such important aerodynamic principles as:

Lift
Drag
Thrust
Weight
Angle of attack
Flight instruments
Stall behavior

Aircraft Systems

A ground school program should also include a detailed exploration of the different parts and systems of an aircraft, as well as how these systems work together to sustain safe flight. This includes the engine, fuel system, electrical system, pilot-static system, and flight instruments. In this part of ground school, students should also master the six key instruments as follows:

Airspeed indicator
Attitude indicator
Altimeter
Turn coordinator
Heading coordinator
Vertical speed indicator (VSI)

Aviation Weather

Weather is one of the most important and tested subjects in private pilot training, as adverse weather can have a major impact on a pilot’s ability to fly safely. In a ground school program, then, students can expect to learn about weather charts, go/no-go decision-making, weather systems, PIREPs, and METARs/TAFs.

Navigation

Being able to navigate with confidence is a crucial part of flying, even when conditions out the cockpit window may not be clear. In a ground school program, students learn about such navigation concepts as:

Sectional aeronautical charts
Cross-country route planning
Fuel calculations
Wind correction
Dead reckoning

Airspace

Pilots also need to have a knowledge of airspace to ensure situational awareness and compliance with FAA regulations. In the United States, national airspace is categorized into seven classes, each with its own communication and coordination requirements with air traffic control. In a ground school program, students learn about each class, as well as special use airspace (including MOAs and TFRs).

Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs)

A reputable ground school also covers Federal Aviation Regulations extensively, including the 14 CFR rules that apply directly to private pilot operations as they relate to:

Currency
VFR weather minimums
Right-of-way rules
Equipment requirements

Radio Communications and ATC Procedures

In a ground school program, students should also learn standard phraseology and how to communicate with air traffic control, as well as the proper protocol and procedures for handling radio failures.

Airport Operations

Ground school programs also cover basic airport operations, including:

Runway and taxiway markings
Light signals
Traffic pattern procedures
Towered vs. non-towered airports

Cross-Country Flight Planning

Being able to plan a cross-country flight (and file flight plans accordingly) is another basic skill that should be taught in ground school. Specifically, this should include such competencies as:

Navlog construction
Performance calculations
How to formally file a flight plan
In-flight contingencies

Aeronautical Decision-Making and Risk Management

Finally, a ground school program must cover the basics of aeronautical decision-making to build safe and confident pilots. Important skills here include:

The influence of human factors
Situational awareness
Decision-making frameworks

Online vs. In-Person Ground School: What Actually Differs

Regardless of whether you plan to attend ground school in-person or online, the material remains the same. All reputable ground schools should cover the above FAA-mandated material, with key differences being in delivery, flexibility, and overall cost.

For many aspiring pilots, online ground school is a more convenient and flexible option because it can be completed from anywhere and is generally self-paced, meaning students can work on their own schedule. This can also make it a great choice for those who don’t live near a physical flight school and want to avoid the time/cost of a regular commute to campus.

Of course, not all online ground schools are created equal, so it’s important for prospective students to explore their options. At MzeroA, for instance, students can enjoy a self-paced structure with real-time progress tracking, as well as logical sequencing that was previously only available in-person.

What Ground School Does Not Cover (And What You Still Have to Do)

Now that you have a better understanding of what ground school covers, it’s also important to be aware of what it doesn’t cover and the additional steps you’ll still need to take before becoming a pilot.

Flight Hours with a CFI

Under FAA Part 61, pilots are required to log a minimum of 40 flight hours, including at least 20 dual instruction and 10 solo. Keep in mind that this is a minimum, and that most students average between 55 and 70 hours of flight hours logged in an actual aircraft with a CFI.

Logbook Endorsements

In addition to logging flight hours, pilots are also legally required to have their logbooks formally endorsed before they can qualify to sit for the FAA Knowledge Test. For students who complete an approved ground course, like MzeroA’s Part 61 program, this endorsement is handled directly through the course, with no outside CFI required.

The FAA Knowledge Test

Once eligible, students can sit for the formal FAA Knowledge Test, which consists of multiple-choice questions and covers aeronautical knowledge requirements under FAA 14 CFR Part 61.105. This test must be taken at an approved testing center, and students must earn a minimum score of 70 to pass.

The Practical Checkride

Finally, students are required to complete a practical checkride, which consists of an oral exam and a flight portion that is conducted by an FAA-designated pilot examiner. This checkride covers standards defined in the FAA’s Airman Certification Standards (ACS).

How MzeroA Fits Into Your Training

At MzeroA, our Private Pilot Course covers every knowledge-based element of the FAA Private Pilot knowledge exam, all with the convenience of online coursework that you can complete at your own pace and review at any time as you progress toward your checkride.

With more than 500 video lessons organized by subject, our Private Pilot Course also offers convenient progress-tracking that’s designed to run concurrently with your real-world flight training. In this sense, students have the ability to study a topic and subsequently reinforce it directly in the cockpit.

And at just $299 for 12 full months of access, our MzeroA’s Private Pilot Course offers excellent value with the added peace of mind of a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Discover More at MzeroA

Why put off your goal of starting ground school when you could get started with MzeroA’s Private Pilot Course today? This course could be the starting point to a fulfilling and incredible career in aviation, so take the next step by requesting more information or getting started now.