Ground School - ASA PPL Test Prep + Sporty's missing a ton of explanations/context?
Posted by Flugtaag@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 5 comments
TLDR - What am I missing in using ASA and Sporty's?
I'm starting my GS studies and after reading many recs, I purchased Sporty's and the ASA 2024 PPL Test Prep. However, I can't seem to understand how to use them, since neither of these go deep into the material before rushing to the next topic (Sporty's) or asking questions that require more knowledge that hasn't been discussed yet (ASA).
Example from Sporty's: the first 50 mins of videos cover a sample of basic controls, weather topics, choosing a trainer, cockpit variations. The next set of videos is about engines, preflight, comms - that's a lot of distinct topics, each requiring deeper dive, practice etc. Covering all of these in the first 2 hours of a class seems very superficial!
ASA on the other hand seems to be centered around memorizing statements to pass the test, not around understanding the material (e.g. explaining what CG and CL are, that aft CG causes certain things, but not why that happens. Another example is ASA explaining S-turns, and in the same chapter asking about emergency landings downwind and airspeed vs. ground speed implications, 2 topics that haven't been mentioned at all so far).
The order/syllabus of ASA/Sporty's seems to be all over the place, and that using just ASA + Sporty's is by no means enough. What syllabus should I be following when studying ground school?
Note: I have PHAK, Pilot's Manual and other resources so I know how to find the explanations I need to develop deeper understanding. Also, many of these topics are not new to me, yet I want to follow a good syllabus to make sure I have the right knowledge vs. just passing the written test.
TxAggieMike@reddit
You should be working with a CFI who provides guidance on how to use the products.
They aren’t meant for a pure zero guidance environment.
Flugtaag@reddit (OP)
Thank you. Since everyone recommended completing the written test before starting actual flights, I assumed that was to be done mainly online/solo. Isn't that the point of Sporty's? Or did I misjudge Sporty's and it's merely a tool to run through mock tests (assuming the knowledge was gained elsewhere)?
TxAggieMike@reddit
I never recommend that.
You miss out on the synergy of doing flight activities which provide the experiences that connect with knowledge theory
And Janine a good CFI helping you to explain the more difficult topics.
Oregon-Pilot@reddit
It’s kind of strange, but in 2010 I did my PPL entirely out of the AFH and PHAK, which I read through while reading Stick and Rudder, and then used Gleim test prep for the written. Never had money for one of those fancy video courses, and my education felt very thorough.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
TLDR - What am I missing in using ASA and Sporty's?
I'm starting my GS studies and after reading many recs, I purchased Sporty's and the ASA 2024 PPL Test Prep. However, I can't seem to understand how to use them, since neither of these go deep into the material before rushing to the next topic (Sporty's) or asking questions that require more knowledge that hasn't been discussed yet (ASA).
Example from Sporty's: the first 50 mins of videos cover a sample of basic controls, weather topics, choosing a trainer, cockpit variations. The next set of videos is about engines, preflight, comms - that's a lot of distinct topics, each requiring deeper dive, practice etc. Covering all of these in the first 2 hours of a class seems very superficial!
ASA on the other hand seems to be centered around memorizing statements to pass the test, not around understanding the material (e.g. explaining what CG and CL are, that aft CG causes certain things, but not why that happens. Another example is ASA explaining S-turns, and in the same chapter asking about emergency landings downwind and airspeed vs. ground speed implications, 2 topics that haven't been mentioned at all so far).
The order/syllabus of ASA/Sporty's seems to be all over the place, and that using just ASA + Sporty's is by no means enough. What syllabus should I be following when studying ground school?
Note: I have PHAK, Pilot's Manual and other resources so I know how to find the explanations I need to develop deeper understanding. Also, many of these topics are not new to me, yet I want to follow a good syllabus to make sure I have the right knowledge vs. just passing the written test.
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