Private Pilot
Made Easy.®

Our online ground school will help you pass the FAA Private Pilot test with flying colors. Achieve your dreams of flying an airplane.

  • Modern pilot training to easily pass your FAA exam on the 1st try.
  • 15,763+ students have signed up for this course to become pilots.
  • 35 hours of videos with beautiful graphics and animations.
  • Classroom instruction from the comfort of your home.
  • Continually updated (last update January 2024).
  • Live office hours with a flight instructor to answer your questions.
  • You're guaranteed to pass the test or you'll get $175 and a full refund. 99.8% of our students pass.
Enroll in this course

$279  $199 (lifetime access)

Why Pilot Institute

Pass the Test the 1st Time - Guaranteed!

Pass the Test the 1st Time - Guaranteed!

The industry's best guarantee: We will promptly send you $175 and give you 100% of your money back if you don't pass the FAA's test on your 1st try. We're serious. That's how confident we are in our course.

Free Instructor Endorsement

Free Instructor Endorsement

This course comes with the instructor endorsement that's required by the FAA for you to take the test.

540+ Video Lessons

540+ Video Lessons

Learn everything you need to know to pass the test on the first try. Breeze through our lessons while understanding complicated topics. Easily pick up where you left off - stop and start when you have time to study. The average lesson is just 3 minutes long.

See Test-like Questions

See Test-like Questions

Our course comes with several practice exams and over 800 practice questions that you can use to test your knowledge. With quiz answer explanations, you'll be ready and confident on your test day.

Lifetime Access

Lifetime Access

We offer lifetime access to our course, which is another way we stand out. You can always come back if you need a refresher, even after you get your certificate. Watch videos as many times as you'd like - no limits.

Mobile and Offline Access

Mobile and Offline Access

You can watch our lessons on mobile phones and even download them for offline access. Watch lessons at up to 2x speed or even slow them down.

Accurate Information

Accurate Information

The aviation industry changes constantly. Our instructors closely track FAA changes and update the course so you're always up-to-date and not learning incorrect or out of date info.

Study Groups & Support

Study Groups & Support

Join our study groups and learn with other people. Leave comments on a lesson and get a response fast. Get one-on-one support from your instructor when you need it. We're here to help you.

Scenario Based Training

Scenario Based Training

Put what you learn to practice with real-life style scenarios. Apply your knowledge and see if your actions were right.

Flashcard App Exclusive

We offer an exclusive flashcard app for iPhone and Android users – and best of all it’s free for course subscribers.

 

There are more than 220 cards that will cement your knowledge in all test topics. You can also flag cards and come back to them and shuffle the order. This will help you study on the go whenever you have a minute.

Enroll Now and Get the App
Flashcard App
The Help You Need, When You Need It

The Help You Need, When You Need It

Pilot Institute offers online courses with fast interactive support whenever you need it. Reach out to us on live chat, through phone calls, by email, or simply by writing a comment below a lesson and get a response quickly.

Additionally, we have a Facebook Group to help you study with classmates.

(855) 933-1440

  Mon-Saturday 8am-5pm MST

44 Page Illustrated Study Guide

44 Page Illustrated Study Guide

Our course comes with a 44 page study guide that you can use to remember the most important information prior to taking the written exam. By giving you access to multiple types of teaching methods, we are able to increase retention and student success. Our students score an average of 92% on their FAA exams.

Thousands of Success Stories Is yours next?

I got my Private Pilot certificate in 1995 and supplemented my ground school by watching a famous couple on VHS videos -- like many did back then. I must say, I enjoyed your course way better! No, seriously, your teaching method, explanations, course organization, and resources were exactly what I was looking for. Thank you! I will certainly refer others to your course!

S. Davis

S. Davis

Great course. Greg is very engaging with his delivery of course information and very complete. I've learned a lot in a short time to review the course.

Stephen Prewitt

Stephen Prewitt

Greg is a great teacher who breaks down a topic and makes it easy to understand. Thanks to him I passed my test with flying colors and even impressed my flight instructor with a thing or two!

Barry Creighton

Barry Creighton

Very good course for new pilots. Flow of the course was great, he covers everything from the basic with enough advanced hints to put all the pieces of flying together. Can't wait to start flying.

Matt Short

Matt Short

Let’s meet your instructor Taught by experts, focused on outcomes.

Greg Reverdiau

Greg Reverdiau

Certified Flight Instructor, University Professor, Former Flight School President

Hi, I'm Greg or Professor R as my students call me.


I have been an aviation professional since the early 2000s. I currently hold the following FAA certificates: Certified Flight Instructor (Instrument), Commercial Pilot (for single and multi engine), and UAS Remote Pilot.


I have worked for two of the biggest aeronautical universities in the country (managing flight training programs of up to 500 students and 50 aircraft) and in teaching roles as an adjunct professor. I was also the President of a Part 141 Flight School with 25 employees, 14 aircraft, and 100 students.


I am passionate about making aviation more accessible and easier to learn. I now concentrate on educating the next generation of manned and unmanned pilots.


I hold a Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Science and a Masters Degree in Aviation Human Factors, both from the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, FL.


When I am not teaching, you can find me running in the beautiful mountains surrounding Prescott, AZ.

Join Over 250,000 Happy Pilots

Enroll in this course

$279  $199 (lifetime access)

FAQ Have questions? Get the answers below. You can also contact us.

Do I need to start flying before taking this class?

No, you can start this course before even finding a flight school. There is an entire chapter in the course on how to choose a flight school so we recommend you watch this first. This information comes from insider experience running large flight schools across the country. You will be able to pick the best school in your area and learn how to save money. After a few lessons, you can sign up for a flight school if you haven't already.

What's the difference between a ground school and a flight school?

In order to pass your FAA exam and become a Private Pilot, you need to receive both ground and flight training. Pilot Institute teaches you the theory that's required to pass the FAA Private Pilot Written Exam. The second part of your exam will be done in the airplane so you need to receive instruction from a flight school. Find a local school that matches your budget and your expectations to get this training completed.

What makes Pilot Institute different?

Our ground school teaches you to proficiency rather than teaching you to just pass the exam. Even if it is possible to pass the FAA Written Exam with short term memorization and cramming, doing so will cost you more time and money because you'll have to brush up your knowledge in the airplane (where you are paying $200-300/hr). Additionally, you will need to explain your answers in-person to your checkride examiner to get your license - so surface level knowledge won't cut it. Our program comes with double the content of many alternatives so you are more prepared for each flight.

 

Our students are scoring an average of 92% on their Private Pilot FAA Written Exams. This is roughly 10% higher than the national average.

 

Pilot Institute offers lifetime access to our course with a one-time charge.

 

Additionally, we have the industry's best guarantee. We will refund your course AND give you $175 if you fail the FAA Written Exam. This is in addition to our 30 day money-back guarantee.

 

This class also comes with a free interactive 6 hour bonus class to help you learn airplane maneuvers.

 

Finally, Pilot Institute is the only aviation training provider to be accredited by IACET to offer continuing education credits.

Do you offer an instructor endorsement at the end of the course?

Yes. If you complete 100% of the course and you achieve an 80% or higher on two timed practice exams, we will send you a free written endorsement that satisfies the aeronautical knowledge requirement of 14 CFR Part 61.35(a)(1), 61.103(d) and 61.105. You can only receive this endorsement from an FAA Certified Flight Instructor who provided you with the proper training.

What happens if I need help?

No problem. Our instructors are happy to help you with questions and give you the answer you need in a timely fashion. We usually respond within a few hours and you can reach out via email, live chat, or phone.

Do you offer discounts?

Yes, high school and college students can email us to get an additional discount for the course. Additionally, veterans and active-duty military personnel can email us for a coupon code.

The Almost 5 Star Institute

Our programs are trusted by thousands of pilots and backed by our 30-day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. With more than 285,673 class enrollments, our students have rated us an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars. Learn more

4.9/5
(24,353+ ratings)

Comprehensive Online Ground School

This course provides you with the knowledge you need to pass your Private Pilot Written Exam. We specifically designed this material to be comprehensive and not just an overview.

 

You won’t feel overwhelmed – you will walk into the test room with confidence. Many people who take this course haven’t taken an exam in 30 years or more.

 

You will be able to spot the trick questions on the test and answer them right. You don’t need any prior aviation experience to take this course.

 

This is the only resource that you will need to pass the test. Having everything in one structured place is efficient and it will take you less time to pass.

 

This is a self-paced course. Each video is roughly 3-5 minutes and you can easily pick up where you left off. You can also watch videos as many times as you’d like.

 

Many people try to pass the written exam with short-term memorization. Even if you pass doing this, it often creates big problems down the line with the checkride and oral exams. Failing your checkride goes on your FAA record and you’ll also have to pay a lot of additional money for training.

 

Our goal is to teach you the ‘why’ behind concepts so you really understand them, instead of ineffective memorization.

 

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

 

  • ask tough questions to flight schools and avoid spending unnecessary money,
  • know what it takes to become a private pilot, and what you can do with your license,
  • understand how aircraft systems operate so you save time during your preflight inspection,
  • learn how instruments in the cockpit work, and what information they provide you in flight,
  • explain how airplanes fly and the effect of various aerodynamic forces,
  • compute weight and balance problems and properly load the aircraft,
  • calculate density altitude and understand its effect on performance,
  • interpret the Federal Aviation Regulation and stay out of trouble,
  • understand the factors that affect flight performance, including hypoxia and various illusions,
  • assess and mitigate risk,
  • identify and predict dangerous weather phenomena,
  • read and understand aviation weather report such as METAR, TAF, and PIREPs.
  • understand how airports are organized and how to decode airport data,
  • communicate on the radio and understand what controllers and other pilots are saying,
  • identify airspace on charts,
  • read charts and extract useful information to safely conduct your flights,
  • navigate the aircraft using on board instruments,
  • master the use of flight computers,
  • and more importantly, successfully plan a cross-country flight!

 

We keep videos clear and concise and this course is mobile and user-friendly.

 

We go IN DETAIL about each of the knowledge areas and provide explanations to not only pass the test, but also become a proficient pilot. This will give you the confidence you need when you are in the cockpit. We divided the course into five logical sections.

 

(1) The first part covers an introduction to flight training (including tips on picking a flight school from a 15-year flight school executive), aircraft structureaircraft systems, and flight instruments.

 

(2) The second part goes over Basic AerodynamicsAerodynamic ForcesWeight & Balance, and Performance & Limitations

 

(3) The third part covers RegulationInspections & DocumentsAeromedical Factors, and Aeronautical Decision Making

 

(4) The fourth part focuses Weather TheoryWeather ServicesAirport Operations, and Radio Communications

 

(5) The fifth and final part discusses Airspace, ChartsNavigation, Flight Computer Cross-Country Planning.

 

Included in this course are links to the free FAA publications as well as over 800 practice questions and several practice exams.

 

You should definitely start flight training while taking this course but previous experience is NOT required to start.

 

This class comes with a free bonus class called Airplane Maneuvers Mastery ($149 value). This 6 hour one-of-a-kind class will show you how to perform maneuvers with in-flight cockpit footage and interactive assessments. It’s unlike anything else out there.

 

Learning how to safely fly a plane at first looks like a foreign language. We’ve put together this resource to make becoming a pilot easier and share our love of flight.

The Easiest Way to Become a Private Pilot Our course makes becoming a Private Pilot easier. We cover everything you need to know starting with choosing a flight school all the way to planning your first cross-country flight.

  • Arrive to your flight lessons prepared and with a strong foundation.
  • Achieve your life-long dream of taking flight and becoming a pilot.
  • Lifetime Access - Go at your own pace.
  • Short, easy to understand videos. Be flying in no time.
  • Modern pilot training with beautiful animations and quiz answer explanations.
  • 30-Day 100% Money Back Guarantee.
Private Pilot Made Easy Online Ground School Enroll in this course

$279  $199 (lifetime access)

Scored % on their FAA Exam