TRAINING DVD AND ONLINE COURSES are popular tools for pilots looking to study at their own pace, prepare for exams, or enhance their skills. They cover a range of aviation topics from basic knowledge to advanced techniques and are available for various certifications and ratings. Here’s a look at some popular types of training DVDs and online courses found in pilot shops:
1. Private Pilot Training
- King Schools Private Pilot Course: One of the most popular video-based courses covering everything from aerodynamics to regulations, flight maneuvers, and weather. Includes interactive quizzes, test prep, and practice exams.
- Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course: Available on DVD and as an online course, this program offers high-definition video lessons on each private pilot topic, along with FAA practice exams and progress tracking.
- Gleim Private Pilot Online Ground School: An interactive online course with detailed explanations, quizzes, and FAA exam preparation, designed for those pursuing a private pilot certificate.
- Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Video Course: A comprehensive and humorous video course that covers all essential knowledge areas for private pilots, available both on DVD and online.
2. Instrument Rating Training
- King Schools Instrument Rating Course: A video-based course for preparing for the instrument rating, including IFR procedures, approaches, weather, and decision-making.
- Sporty’s Instrument Rating Course: A combination of high-definition video and interactive quizzes, covering IFR navigation, procedures, and enroute operations, with lifetime online access.
- Gleim Instrument Pilot Online Ground School: Provides video lectures, practice questions, and progress tracking for the instrument written test, focusing on core instrument flying skills and knowledge.
- Jeppesen Instrument and IFR Training DVDs: Jeppesen’s DVDs are often used in formal flight schools and cover topics from IFR flight planning to approaches and emergency procedures.
3. Commercial Pilot and Advanced Training
- King Schools Commercial Pilot Course: Covers commercial-level maneuvers, aerodynamics, weather, regulations, and safety, preparing students for the FAA commercial pilot written exam.
- Sporty’s Commercial Pilot Course: A comprehensive program for commercial pilot knowledge and exam prep, with video demonstrations of maneuvers and exam questions.
- FlightSafety International and ATP Courses: Advanced courses designed for professional training, covering everything from crew resource management (CRM) to jet aircraft systems and multi-crew operations.
4. Flight Instructor Training
- King Schools Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Course: A video course focusing on instructional techniques, aerodynamics, regulations, and safety for those pursuing a CFI certificate.
- Gleim Flight Instructor Course: Online courses covering lesson planning, instructional techniques, and topics for preparing CFIs to teach ground and flight lessons.
- Sporty’s CFI Renewal Course: Designed to help CFIs renew their certificate, covering the latest FAA changes, safety information, and teaching techniques.
5. Type-Specific Training (Glass Cockpit, Multi-Engine, Seaplane)
- Garmin G1000 and Glass Cockpit Courses: Courses from companies like King Schools and Sporty’s specifically cover operation and features of glass cockpit avionics like the Garmin G1000, useful for both VFR and IFR operations.
- Multi-Engine Training DVDs: Cover multi-engine aerodynamics, emergency procedures, and unique aspects of multi-engine flying. These are helpful for pilots preparing for their multi-engine rating.
- Seaplane Rating DVDs and Courses: Cover water takeoffs, landings, and water navigation for seaplane ratings. Sporty’s offers a seaplane course with video demonstrations.
6. Safety and Emergency Training
- AOPA Safety Institute Courses: Free online courses covering a range of safety topics like weather avoidance, emergency procedures, and risk management, designed for pilots of all levels.
- King Schools Emergency Maneuvers Course: Covers in-depth emergency procedures like stall recovery, spins, and off-airport landings with video explanations and cockpit views.
- Advanced Aircraft Systems Courses (e.g., Aircraft Icing, Turbulence): Specialized courses for pilots flying in adverse conditions, explaining how to handle icing, turbulence, and high-altitude flight.
7. Exam Preparation and Test Prep
- Gleim FAA Knowledge Test Prep Software: Interactive software and online test prep for all FAA exams, including private, instrument, commercial, and ATP. Includes practice questions, progress tracking, and detailed explanations.
- Sheppard Air Test Prep Software: Known for its extensive database of FAA questions and explanations, covering various pilot certification exams including ATP.
- Dauntless FAA Test Prep: Offers practice questions and explanations across all FAA exams, with both web-based and mobile app access.
8. Weather, Navigation, and Specialized Courses
- Aviation Weather (Sporty’s and King Schools): Courses focusing on understanding aviation weather, weather briefings, and interpreting forecasts, ideal for pilots who want a better grasp of meteorology.
- ForeFlight Training Courses: Covers in-depth use of the ForeFlight app, including flight planning, navigation, weather, and advanced features for both beginner and advanced users.
- Mountain Flying DVDs and Online Courses: Cover unique challenges of mountain flying, such as dealing with altitude, updrafts, and weather patterns, often using real flight footage.
9. Drone and Remote Pilot Courses
- Part 107 Remote Pilot Courses (King Schools, Sporty’s, Gleim): Courses for pilots aiming to get their FAA Remote Pilot Certificate for drone operations, covering regulations, airspace, and drone safety.
- Advanced Drone Flight Courses: These include advanced operation techniques, cinematography, and safe flight procedures in various environments.
10. Continuing Education and Refresher Courses
- FAA WINGS Program (Online via FAA Safety Team): Offers free courses for recurrent training, including topics on aeronautical decision-making, weather, and safety.
- Annual Flight Review Courses (King Schools, Sporty’s): Refresher courses designed to prepare pilots for flight reviews, covering maneuvers, regulations, and safety practices.
- Human Factors and CRM Courses: Courses focusing on human performance, crew resource management (CRM), and cockpit communication, designed for advanced training and professional development.
11. Supplemental Mobile App Courses
- Sporty’s Pilot Training App: Offers access to various video-based courses, covering private pilot, instrument rating, commercial pilot, and drone operations. Includes lifetime updates and progress tracking.
- King Schools Online Subscription: Provides access to all King Schools video courses through one subscription, accessible via web and mobile.
These courses offer flexibility for pilots to study at their own pace, with video tutorials, interactive quizzes, and mobile-friendly access, making them ideal for both ground school preparation and continuing education.