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2 Answers

“I’ve already passed my written.”

Asked by: 1979 views Flight Instructor

    Have my fellow instructors ever heard this quote from a student? Or maybe a Private Pilot who wants to get an Instrument? If so, where do you go from there? It seems as though they are trying to get away from me requiring ground school appointments to verify their Aeronautical Knowlege, or at the least Pre- and post-flight briefings. How do I approach this applicant in order to make it work? 

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2 Answers



  1. Mark Kolber on Apr 04, 2020

    Quiz them.

    The twin realities are

    1. The knowledge test has been the domain of self study, group lessons, and online courses ever since the Gleim “red books” made their appearance decades ago.

    2. The real test of aeronautical knowledge is the practical, not the knowledge test.

    So incorporate quizzing into your flight lessons. There is plenty of opportunity. A day with 3000 ft ceilings is an opportunity to ask for the students assessment of a weather briefing, about cloud clearances and risk management. A cross-country is a fodder for all sorts of “ground” questions about weather, planning, fuel requirements. Even if not in context, a regulatory or currency question or two is hardly out of line.

    Probe for strengths and weaknesses. The strengths will make you comfortable they have the knowledge. The weaknesses are an opening for a brief session to cover it.

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  2. awair on Apr 19, 2020

    Agree 100% with Mark.

    It also identifies that they would (initially) be resistant to ($$$) ground school typically devoted to the Knowledge Test.

    Review the KT report for the deficient codes: they want to pass the check-ride, so ask them what knowledge type questions they might expect on the Oral. This is one possible way to generate a ‘buy in’, that ground school (not pre/post briefings) might still be a good idea!

    The reason I know? This is my current situation! Having passed all 9 KTs last year, I know that I am still weak in several areas for any upcoming check-ride (even the one I just passed…)

    Even as a current EASA CFII (equivalent), I would not go near a checkride appointment without at least 5-10 hours of personalised ground school. And that’s after using my ability to refresh my knowledge, and update on FAA differences.

    As Mark stated, the real knowledge test is the practical.

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