The Loss of the Classroom

The loss of the classroom has led to difficulty, confusion, and isolation for student pilots. Today, online video courses and test prep software reign supreme. The advent of these programs has made learning aeronautical knowledge easy and convenient. Nowadays, a person who wants to learn how to fly can click a couple buttons, enter their credit card information, and have a full course on aviation laid out in front of them. They can do it at their own pace and can learn from anywhere on the planet as long as they have an internet connection. These are great tools that have made aviation more accessible for people.

However, there is a big problem…the loss of the classroom. Back in the day, in order for a person to learn all the aeronautical knowledge needed for becoming a pilot, they would sign up for an in-person class, show up in a physical location with other students, and be taught by a live human instructor. Yes, this required more effort and commitment, but there were also huge benefits. 

For one, there was a live human instructor guiding you along the way. One of the things I’m constantly running into with student pilots is confusion. They are confused about what their next steps are, they are confused about subject matter, and they are confused about where to go to get explanations on the subject matter. With live classes, a student can simply ask their ground instructor these questions. Nowadays, everything is impersonal. There is no mentorship happening. This is leaving student pilots lost and disoriented.

Another aspect of the classroom that has been lost is the interaction between students. Live classes create community. There is camaraderie there. Student pilots can discuss what they’re learning with each other. They can ask each other questions, making learning interactive. This gives them an even greater opportunity for understanding, which is important because you don’t want to just know the answers, you want to understand the concepts. That requires interaction.

Not only that, but there is comfort in realizing that other people are dealing with the exact same struggles you are. If you’re studying on your own and run into an issue, it might spark anxiety. 

“Why can’t I figure this out?” 

“Is it normal to not understand this?”

“Maybe I’m not meant to be a pilot.”

Yes, I’ve seen it go that far. When student pilots are isolated, there is no one to encourage them through their doubts and fears. It’s just them and the material. Having a community of students makes flying a collective experience. It improves accountability. It inspires a sense of belonging. 

The modern way of going through ground school has its benefits, but it’s lacking some fundamental aspects that are important for learning. That’s why I created Virtual Ground School. 

This isn’t just a video course. It’s a place where you can get live ground instruction without losing the convenience of online learning. Virtual Ground School is an online ground school that provides live ground instruction to student pilots through video calls.

There are multiple options available to fit whatever need you have. There is personal tutoring. There are classes on individual subjects such as airspace, weather, and systems. There are mock oral prep sessions that will get you ready for your checkride. There is a complete 16-week course on all the knowledge needed for Private Pilot certification. There is even a free study call that anyone can join.

This is a different type of ground school. If you’re tired of feeling lost and confused, and if you want to learn alongside others, get live instruction, and have guidance along your aviation journey, check out Virtual Ground School. Let’s get you your wings!